We are pleased to report good numbers of Bulberin Nut (Macadamia jansenii) trees recorded following a recent census conducted of the few remaining Bulberin Nut trees in Bulburin National Park near Gladstone, Queensland.
The survey team, comprising Gidarjil Rangers, staff from Queensland Parks and Wildlife and Macadamia Conservation Trust (MCT) along with student researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast and University of Queensland, also confirmed that over 50% of the Bulberin Nut trees in Bulburin National Park are flowering. This is a good sign for the spring season to come.
In addition, included in the census were the newest Bulberin Nut trees discovered as part of the exploration made possible by funding provided by FAME. Exploration over the last year has added a further 54 trees to the remaining fragile population. These trees were not found during the last census 10 years ago.
As exploration trips continue in similar catchments, all finds to date have been in tributaries of the same creek, thus confirming the vulnerability of this endangered species to fire or weed invasion.
The start of a dangerous fire season ahead
As the fire season begins, wildfire has already raged within a whisker of Bulburin National Park. This is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat facing these forest ecosystems.
Establishing an insurance population
Thanks to donations from our generous donors, FAME and MCT continue to nurture an insurance population of Bulberin Nut trees in the Tondoon Botanic Gardens. Over 43 individual Bulberin Nut cuttings, propagated from the original population, are being carefully looked after in the nursery of the Botanic Gardens. Four new sets of propagated trees will eventually be restored within the Bulburin Nut National Park.
For more information or to make a donation that will preserve the Bulberin Nut, visit the project page of the website or telephone the Foundation on 08 8374 1744.
Typical Bulberin Nut habitat – simple Notophyll Vine forest with emergent hoop pine. Macadamia jansenii are the small, gangly, multi-stemmed, trees scattered along the edge of the creek. (Photo: Dallas Nock)
Bulberin Nut flower in Bulburin National Park. (Photo: Glenn Hayward)
Bulberin Nut flowers at Tondoon Botanic Gardens showing nut set – each of the little bumps on a stalk has been pollinated and has the potential to grow into a macadamia nut. (Photo: MCT)