Jim McKenney wrote: So now I wonder: is A. bidwillii grown in the UK in the open garden? Does it become large enough to fruit? It is easiest to reply by providing the text for my account of Araucaria bidwillii that will appear in my forthcoming book 'New Trees, Introductions to Cultivation 1970-2005' which will be published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in about a year's time. (formal description omitted) The Bunya Pine is a magnificent tree in its native Queensland, and is grown quite widely in Australia and elsewhere for its ornamental value (Elliott & Jones 1982). Mature trees are somewhat hazardous on account of the risk of being hit by a falling cone. At present there seems to be little risk of this in our area [North America north of San Francisco and the NC/SC boundary, Europe north of the Mediterranean basin], where A. bidwillii is on the very edge of its tolerance, even in the mildest locations. It has however reached 11 m (33 cm dbh) in the past at Glendurgan, Cornwall (TROBI record from 1965) and the current British and Irish champion is a 6 m specimen at Earlscliffe, Baily, Co. Dublin (TROBI). It is therefore worth the attempt in the mildest coastal areas of Europe and western North America, but great size and longevity are perhaps too much to hope for. TROBI = Tree Register of the British Isles I'd better get on with the book itself! John Grimshaw Dr John M. Grimshaw Sycamore Cottage Colesbourne Nr Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 9NP Tel. 01242 870567