Contributed by Spencer Shaw
THIS story acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the eastern section of Bunya Country; the Jinibara People of the range and the Kabi-Kabi People of the coast.
The Bunya remains a sacred and enduring source of food, ceremony and cultural connection, central to the identity and traditions of the region.
This season is a significant one for celebrating and enjoying the abundance of fruit and cones produced by the Bunya pine (Araucaria bidwillii).
The current Bunya season began with the first ripe cones dropping in mid-December and, conditions permitting, is expected to continue through to February.
These major fruiting events do not occur every year and are often associated with longer natural cycles.
While a three-year cycle is commonly cited, cone production is influenced by a combination of seasonal conditions and climate variability.
Adding to this complexity is the fact that Bunya cones take approximately 16 months to fully develop, requiring favourable conditions to be sustained over an extended period.
The current fruiting event can be traced back to September 2024, when trees produced a mass display of highly visible male cones.
Often referred to as “pencils” due to their long, narrow shape, these cones form on the outer edges of the middle branches.
When mature, they turn brown and release large quantities of yellow pollen. Carried by wind currents, the pollen travels upward and across neighbouring Bunya trees, where fertilisation occurs in the female cones. Other Araucaria species in the region are also experiencing a strong fruiting season.
Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) and Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) are producing bumper crops.
Research on related Araucaria species in South America has linked particularly large reproductive events to rising temperatures, raising concern that prolific fruiting may, in some cases, be linked to climatic stress.
There is also a potential downside to this abundance.
Fruiting Bunya trees invest significant energy into cone and seed development over the 16-month period, often at the expense of root growth and defence.
This reduced investment can increase vulnerability to root diseases, including the serious and ongoing threat of Bunya Dieback.
The issue remains a significant concern across the region, with further information available through the Beyond Bunya Dieback initiative.
Despite these challenges, a major fruiting season remains one of the natural wonders of the region.
Bunya nuts invite creativity in the kitchen and provide an opportunity to celebrate an iconic species.
Importantly, restraint is encouraged.
While the nuts are a valued food source, they are also seeds with the potential to grow into future forest giants.
Leaving some to regenerate and planting Bunya where possible helps ensure these remarkable trees continue to thrive.