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  Araucaria bidwillii - bunya pine

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  Araucaria bidwillii - bunya pine

A very large, stately specimen tree that is often seen in historical gardens as it was widely planted on large country estates. Its domed shape is its very distinctive feature but it should be stressed that this tree needs a lot of space and should not be planted within 10 metres of any structures. It needs no regular pruning, however, the football sized seed cones are extremely heavy and present a safety hazard in public areas when they fall from the tree so warning signage should be used. The nuts are edible and tasty, the kernel has a tough shell which can be split in a fire or in boiling water. Can be eaten raw or roasted, and also ground into a flour. The timber is also valued for cabinet making.