Family: Araucariaceae
Queensland kauri is a tall tree with an upright crown.
In its native land, this majestic tree grows 150 feet tall. And some trees are estimated to be 300 years old. A useful tree, it was overharvested until girth restrictions were put in place. Today, it is not threatened. In fact, it’s the most abundant tree in North Queensland. It is cultivated as a grand specimen in botanical gardens around the world. Spirally arranged branches give this conifer a full, robust crown.
Plant Uses:
- Cultural significance
- Privacy / screening
- Shade
- Specimen
- Windbreak
- Woodworking
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
High Risk Traits:
- High climate match for tropical and subtropical regions.
- Frequently introduced outside its native range for forestry.
- Seeds are wind-dispersed.
- High seed production per cone.
Low Risk Traits:
- Not documented as naturalized, weedy, or invasive anywhere.
- Lacks negative traits: not toxic, thorny, allelopathic, or a fire hazard.
- Not a broad soil generalist; prefers specific, well-drained soils.
- No persistent seed bank; seeds lose viability quickly.
- Slow maturation; takes ~20 years to produce first seeds.
- Not dispersed by water, birds, or animals.