How to Care for the Bunya Tree

The Bunya tree, a coniferous species native to Norfolk Island located between Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Ocean, resembles a pine tree. Although it is not a true pine, it is often used for ornamental purposes, especially during Christmas. In its natural habitat, this tree can grow up to 60 meters tall. When grown indoors, it can reach a height of 1.5 to 2.4 meters. To care for the Bunya tree, ensure it receives ample humidity, indirect sunlight, and the proper temperature conditions.

Plant the tree in suitable soil. In its natural environment, the Bunya tree thrives in sandy, slightly acidic soil. Therefore, it requires well-draining soil. A good mix can be made by combining the following ingredients in equal parts:

• Potting soil
• Sphagnum moss
• Sand

Maintain moderate soil moisture. The Bunya tree prefers evenly moist soil, similar to the dampness of a wrung-out sponge—slightly moist, but not wet or soggy. Before watering, check the soil's moisture level by inserting your finger about 2.5 cm into the soil. If it feels dry at this depth, water the plant with lukewarm water until it drains through the holes at the bottom of the pot.

• Allow excess water to drain through the holes and into the dish beneath the pot. Empty the dish once the water stops flowing.
• A severe lack of water, even if it occurs just once, can cause the branches and leaves to dry up, fall off, and not regrow.

Ensure the tree gets plenty of indirect sunlight. The Bunya tree needs several hours of sunlight each day but does not tolerate direct sunlight. The best location for the tree is in a room with many northeast or northwest-facing windows.

• You can also place the tree in a room with south or west-facing windows, but be sure to use blinds to protect it from direct sunlight.
• Other suitable locations for the Bunya tree include sunrooms and porches with a roof overhead.

Fertilize throughout the tree's growing season. During spring, summer, and early fall, you should fertilize the Bunya tree with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks. When it's time to water the tree, you can mix a bit of liquid fertilizer into the water and apply it to the soil.

• A balanced fertilizer contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
• The Bunya tree does not need fertilizer during its dormant period in late fall and winter.
• To know when the tree's growth cycle resumes, watch for light green new buds at the tips of the branches in spring.

Rotate the tree regularly. Just like sunflowers that always turn toward the sun, the Bunya tree grows towards or leans towards its light source. To prevent the tree from growing unevenly and becoming crooked, rotate the pot ¼ turn each week.

• Be gentle when rotating the pot as the Bunya tree does not like being moved too abruptly.

Maintain the appropriate temperature. This tree does not thrive in extreme temperatures and will not survive if the temperature falls below 2°C or rises above 24°C for extended periods. The ideal daytime temperature is around 16°C, and at night, it should be slightly cooler, around 13°C.

• While it prefers cooler temperatures at night, the Bunya tree dislikes sudden temperature changes. A shaded corner in a sunroom would be perfect for this tree, as the temperature naturally cools down after sunset.

Increase humidity for the tree. In its natural environment, the Bunya tree grows in coastal tropical areas, which means it prefers humid air. The ideal humidity level for this tree is 50%. You can maintain this humidity by misting the tree daily with room-temperature water or by using a humidifier.

• Adding extra humidity is especially crucial if you live in a cold and dry climate.

Only trim dead or brown leaves. This tree doesn't need shaping or regular pruning. Simply remove any dead branches or tips that have turned brown. Use sharp pruning shears to cut off the dead foliage.

• When you prune the Bunya tree, you also prevent new shoots from emerging at the cut point. Instead of encouraging new growth, pruning forces the tree to grow in a different direction, changing its overall shape.

Avoid placing the tree in drafty areas. Both hot and cold drafts can cause the tree's leaves to fall off, so be sure to place it away from vents, fans, and heating or air conditioning vents.

• You should also keep the tree away from doors and windows where drafts may enter, placing it at a safe distance.

Avoid moving the tree. The Bunya tree's root system is delicate and can be easily damaged if the tree is moved. You should avoid moving the tree unless absolutely necessary. Once you find an ideal spot for the tree to thrive, keep it there as long as possible.

• If you must move the tree, do so cautiously, gradually shifting it small distances at a time.
• Choose a location where the tree won’t be accidentally disturbed, knocked over, or pushed.

Repot the tree every few years. It is recommended to repot the Bunya tree every 3-4 years during the spring, when the roots begin to surface. Prepare a new pot by filling half of it with a mixture of soil, sand, and peat moss. Gently lift the tree from its old pot and place it in the new one. Fill the rest of the pot with soil to cover the roots.

• Each time you repot, choose a pot that is slightly larger than the previous one.
• The pot should have drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess water to escape.
• Though the Bunya tree dislikes being moved, repotting every now and then is necessary to provide fresh soil for root development.

Reduce watering if branches droop and yellow. The Bunya tree prefers moist soil, but it does not handle waterlogged conditions well. If you notice the branches beginning to droop or turn yellow, reduce the frequency of watering.

• Water the tree only when the top 2.5 cm of soil has dried out.
• Yellowing leaves may fall off if you overwater the tree.

Adjust watering if leaves turn yellow. Yellow leaves (without drooping branches) may be a sign that the tree is not receiving enough water. Water the tree thoroughly when the soil is completely dry and increase humidity for the plant.

• You can increase humidity by misting the tree daily.

Increase light if the lower branches turn brown. Look for the lower branches that are turning brown and falling off. This indicates that the tree is not receiving enough light. You should move the tree closer to an east or northwest-facing window, a south or west-facing window with blinds, or near a sunroom.

• The Bunya tree requires plenty of indirect sunlight.
• If natural light is not available, you can use full-spectrum grow lights designed specifically for plants.

Adjust humidity if the leaves droop. Drooping leaves without discoloration can be a sign of several issues, including too high or too low humidity. Typically, this signals that the humidity is too low. Water the plant more frequently if you haven’t been watering it often and notice the soil is dry. Water less if the soil is already moist and you tend to water regularly.

• Drooping leaves can also indicate that the plant is too close to a draft.