As most people interested in Macadamias like to know as much as possible about the country of origin and its natural habitat, in this article I will try to convey a picture of the early days and relate the changes that have taken place over the years in that great stretch of heavy rainfall forest usually referred to in Australia as softwood scrub or scrub country.

Although similar softwood scrubs grew in many places in Australia, it is within a narrow strip of coastal scrub country which starts in the Richmond River district of northern New South Wales and extends northwards across the New South Wales-Queensland border, to about the Burnett River in Queensland, covering an over-all distance of about 400 miles which was the native habitat of the Macadamia and most other related species.

Throughout this area, in a terrain of mountainous country with its many broken valleys and fast-running, winding streams, grew the Macadamia along with many other scrub trees. Other forms of plant life combined to make a dense mass of vegetative growth where huge rambling vines weaved their way through small trees and bushes before reaching the support of some giant tree up which they then twined their way skywards, there to enhance the top with additional leaves and flowers.

Trees in some areas were liberally adorned with spectacular arrays of orchids ranging from giant size to delicate miniature varieties, with elk horns, stag horns, tree ferns, ribbon ferns and numerous other types of tree dwelling plants and fungi growing in selective places, while a delightful variety of small and tender ground plants and moss took up positions in moist and sheltered places or on old rotting logs or stones. This great variety of plant life together with a great and varied population of animal, bird and other kinds of wild life in this rugged country with its ever changing landscape, helped to build the beauty and create an exciting and fascinating environment in this wonderful sub-tropical fertile belt of native Macadamia country.

My interest in Macadamias goes back to my boyhood days in the Richmond River district, which was the home of the Tetraphylla species of Macadamia. Even in those early days large areas of these great scrubs had already been destroyed so that the ground could he used by various crops such as sugar cane, corn, bananas and many others including grasses. As would be expected all grew well and produced good crops in this new and highly fertile land. However the dairying industry developed fastest and became the major industry here and in the closely surrounding district.

In clearing these scrublands the thick coverage of undergrowth and vines was first cut and brought to the ground with the aid of a brush-hook, the larger trees were then felled with axes. After allowing several months for drying out the whole area was then burned off with one huge fire. Although Macadamias grew naturally in shaded and sheltered positions throughout these heavily timbered forests it was found that some had defied the axes and the fires and were sending up healthy suckers from the root system. They continued to grow well and provided no further serious mishaps befell them, they developed into healthy trees in the open and produced good crops of nuts. Some farmers were quick to notice this and realized the possibility of growing Macadamias as a commercial crop. Several small orchards were planted in the Rous Mill district close to where I was born and it is claimed that the first attempt ever to try and grow Macadamias for commercial purposes was made in this district.

Some years later I traveled up through the Tweed River district, which is further north approaching the Queensland border. Here the same pattern of destruction was taking place. Most scrubs in this district were being cleared to plant sugar cane, bananas and other types of fruit and vegetable crops. Although many thousands of Macadamias were being destroyed in clearing operations I noticed that a number of farmers were planting young Macadamia trees amongst bananas and other crops.

I next traveled across the New South Wales-Queensland border and continued north for about 100 miles into Queensland. This took me right out of the Tetraphylla area. After wandering around for a short time I decided to settle at a place named Montville, located in a picturesque setting on top of a mountain overlooking the sea and surrounding districts. I stayed in this district for more than 12 months and although I roamed the scrubs frequently, no edible varieties of Macadamia could be found here or in the neighborhood scrubs of Maleny. However I did come across several trees of that fascinating and interesting Little Minor species, which in appearance truly resembles the edible varieties, but is miniature in size, rather bitter in taste and is said to contain a cyanopheric prussic-acid-yielding glucoside.

From Montville I again moved north, this time into the Gympie district and later south of Gympie into the Mary Valley. This great fertile valley lies between mountains and hills and gets its name because the Mary River winds its way through it for a distance of more than 100 miles before entering the sea at Maryborough. At that time throughout the whole of this valley, there were vast areas of virgin scrublands, much of which was being thrown open for settlement. The free and exciting life in these new lands held my interest and I settled for many years at a place called Amamoor.

A remarkable variety of choices milling timbers grew in these scrubs and I assisted timber cutters who were busily engaged getting it out before major clearing operations commenced. In this work I soon discovered that this and the surrounding districts for many miles around in all directions, was the home of the Integrifolia species of Macadamia. The large and handsome Praealta was also a common sight and again the Little Minor and other interesting varieties of no commercial values could he found.

After residing in this district for some considerable time doing any type of work that was available, I purchased an area of virgin scrublands, cleared some and started growing bananas and pineapples. Later I planted about 500 Macadamias from seed taken from trees in the nearby scrubs. Usually Macadamias growing in these dense scrubs grew tall and did not develop a suitable tree structure to produce heavy crops, however at times I did come across trees with good crops. Such trees were usually found growing along watercourses or in places where ample moisture was available and where a break in the heavy timber allowed the sun to penetrate and the tree to develop a reasonable spread. Some years later I planted more seedlings Integrifolia from the best trees I could find. I also purchased and planted selected seed of the Tetraphylla species from growers in other districts. Eventually a number of promising trees were produced including several hybrids.

The many years of strenuous life in this rugged country commenced to tell its tale and I sought land in easier working country.

I now reside at Beerwah situated in a convenient district with quiet pleasant surroundings about 50 miles north of Brisbane. Here in a setting of eucalyptus forest country, lying between the mountains and the sea, I am growing various kinds of crops including pineapples, bananas and avocados and of course macadamias. The soil is not rich but is of good structure and with a proper knowledge of fertilizer requirements a great variety of crops can he successfully grown.

Areas of eucalyptus forests are scattered throughout localities where macadamias grew and it is interesting to note that while macadamias were growing successfully in many types of soil, in their natural habitat they kept strictly to the soft-wood scrubs and did not grow in eucalyptus forests, even where soil and the density of undergrowth and larger trees seemed comparable.

Although the passing of years has brought about the destruction of most of our beautiful scrubs which were once the natural home of macadamias and many thousands of trees have been destroyed, the Macadamia by proving its superior qualities has won its fight for survival and because of its excellence it is now destined to extend its area by being planted and cared for in many countries throughout the world.

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