Atherton oak facts for kids

Athertonia is a type of tall tree that belongs to the plant family Proteaceae. This family also includes the well-known macadamia trees. Athertonia is a special group because it only has one known species, called Athertonia diversifolia. This tree is often called the Atherton oak.

The Atherton oak is a small to medium-sized tree. It grows only in the wet tropics rainforests of north-eastern Queensland, Australia. You can find it in areas like the Atherton Tableland, which is where it gets its name from. The region was named after an early settler, John Atherton. This tree is related to other plants found in South Asia and New Caledonia. It's known for its edible nut and could also be a beautiful tree for gardens.

What is Atherton Oak?

The scientific name for the Atherton oak is Athertonia diversifolia. It was first described in 1918 by a botanist named C.T. White. He chose the name diversifolia because it means "different leaves" in Latin. This is because the tree can have different shaped leaves on the same plant!

Over time, scientists studied the tree more closely. Eventually, Johnson and Briggs decided it was unique enough to have its own group, or genus, called Athertonia. So, Athertonia diversifolia is the only species in its genus. People also call it Atherton almond, White Oak, or cream silky oak.

How to Spot an Atherton Oak

The Atherton oak is a tree that can grow from about 8 to 30 meters (26 to 98 feet) tall. Its trunk can be up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) wide and sometimes has special root growths called buttresses at the bottom.

The leaves of the Atherton oak change as the tree grows:

• Young leaves: These are simple, long, and have slightly toothed edges.
• Middle leaves: As the tree gets older, the leaves become much larger, up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) long, and have deep lobes (like fingers).
• Adult leaves: The mature leaves can be different shapes. They might be lobed or have smooth edges. They are usually 12 to 20 centimeters (5 to 8 inches) long and 5 to 9 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) wide.

New branches and fresh growth on the tree are covered in fine, reddish-brown hairs. The flowers are cream and brown. They grow on long stalks, called racemes, which can be 15 to 34 centimeters (6 to 13 inches) long. These flowers usually appear from March to June.

The fruit of the Atherton oak is dark blue and shaped like a lens. It's about 3.6 to 4.1 centimeters (1.4 to 1.6 inches) long. Inside, there's a hard, woody shell that protects a large, crunchy kernel. This kernel is edible! The fruits ripen in the spring.

Where Atherton Oak Grows

The Atherton oak is found in northern Queensland, Australia. Its range stretches from Cape Tribulation down to Mount Bartle Frere. It prefers to grow in rainforests, usually at altitudes between 700 and 1150 meters (2,300 to 3,800 feet) above sea level. However, it can sometimes be found lower, around 400 meters (1,300 feet), near Alexandra Creek. Sadly, much of the areas where it used to grow have been cleared. It grows best in deep, rich volcanic soils.

Uses of Atherton Oak

The Atherton almond, as it's sometimes called, is grown a little bit for its tasty, edible nut. It also makes a beautiful tree for large parks and gardens. Some people even use it as an indoor plant or for its leaves in flower arrangements. It's quite easy to grow new trees from its seeds.

The Atherton oak is also special because it is the official floral emblem of the Atherton shire in north Queensland. It's called the Atherton oak because its young leaves look a bit like those of the English oak. However, it's important to remember that the Atherton oak is not actually related to the English oak at all!