The bunya pine is a large conifer native to SE QLD and northern NSW - bearing huge cones full of edible and highly nutritious nuts, once a prized food of Australian Aboriginal tribes along the East coast. The tree grows to great heights with a prehistoric looking trunk and canopy of prickly, dark and glossy-green foliage. It grows best on well drained, acidic and rich volcanic soils but will also do well on sandy and loamy soils with good drainage. The tree is slow to start but gains momentum and can add 50cm or more growth per year once established - growing steadily up to a 50m or more tall. The tree is somewhat drought and frost tolerant down to -7 degrees Celsius, but thrives in humid and moist rainforest conditions in part shade to full sun.