The Hoop pine is a stately tree native to northern NSW through to Central Queensland. It grows fast and very large in its home range, one of the largest species of tree in Australia in fact. It is in the same family as the inland and mountain growing bunya pine and the coastal norfolk and cook pines (Araucaria). Hoop pine tolerates a wide range of conditions, thriving in the ecological niche between the aforementioned other species in this family. It is widely grown as a plantation timber species and tolerates heat, salt and light frost well. This tree is somewhat drought tolerant but grows best with ample water and a sandy to well drained soil. Foliage is dark green, eell structured and somewhat prickly, maturing into tufts of foliage on long branches.