Brachychiton populneus (Kurrajong), Australia

Recorded by Kim V. Goldsmith on a farm west of Narromine New South Wales (Wiradjuri Country), Australia. September 2024. The recording was made from a series of active recordings in and around the tree using contact mics, a geophone, omnis and a shotgun microphone.

*A Kurrajong in a paddock on a farm, west of Narromine New South Wales*

The Kurrajong is a small to medium-sized tree found in a range of habitats from wetter coastal districts to semi-arid interiors of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

The extended trunk is stores water for survival in a warm dry climate. It has bell-shaped flowers that range from a pale cream to pink, while the leaves vary considerably in shape. The leaves are either simple and pointed, or may be 3–9 lobed. Saplings grow from a drought and fire-resistant tap-rooted tuber.

Traditional uses of Kurrajong bark included twine and fishing lines. The distinctive, hairy seeds inside large seed pods were also a traditional food source.

Find more of Kim V. Goldsmith’s work online here and here