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Project Noah Nature School
Araucaria bidwillii
This spotting is an old growth tree in the Bunya Mountains National Park. It is a massive tree, and by far the largest Bunya I have ever seen. They usually grow to a height of about 45 m, but I reckon this tree well exceeded that. Bunya's are native to Queensland and had great cultural significance to indigenous Australians from Southeast and Central Queensland to Northeast New South Wales. The reference links provide lots of information on this species, its significance, and the location. They're worth a read.
Subtropical rainforest in Bunya Mountains National Park, southeast Queensland. Here's some info on the park - http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/bunya-...
I placed my backpack at the base of the tree to give it a sense of scale (photo #6). A human being would have been better, but none were available so the backpack had to suffice. Those that are familiar with this species of tree will appreciate the size of this specimen. It was a beauty. I also noticed that this tree lacked the distinctive dome-shaped crown common to Bunya's, but when you're this size, who cares?! Here's a link to a previous spotting that shows the Bunya cone. It must be deadly to be in this park during 'drop' season. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/125...
Spotted on Jul 22, 2014
Submitted on Jul 24, 2014
1 Comment
They call it the drop zone, Ernst. I call it the death zone!! Have you seen the size of those things? My neighbours have a large Bunya outside their property. When the cones come down, they do it with a thump. I can actually feel the shock wave from across the street. The fun is never ending :-)