Hi welcome to GOY The first one that came to me was sweet chestnut.I may be wrong so wait for other replys.

I don't know I have seen it but canot rember, but Tulsalady I realy don't think that it is a sweet chestnut, not one I have ever seen, and good morning,

Good morning all It looks like beech mast to me I don't think it is hairy enough for sweet chestnut and the nuts inside are definitely not sweet chestnut.

Good morning Cliffo . second thoughts it is more like beechnut,but if I said that's what I meant would you believe me Lol.Morning Madaboutplants I recon you've cracked it. I don't believe i just said that get it ?

yes dun a check; no dout at all beech nut and I'' and I belive you ,it was a bit early when you answerd, that was my problem too, X that was a good crack' you take the nut lol

Thanks for the answers.
When I went to other websites to find photos of beech nuts I saw that they were all very hairy on the outside of the husk - but that was for European and American Beech tree nuts. This one seems to have a very smooth outside.
Is this an Australian native beech?
The photo was taken after a day in the bush in the Northern Territory.

Sorry if I sound like a Doubting Thomas but I would like to be as close to 100% sure before I get back to my friends in Holland.

Gerrit

I am certain that it is the american beech, how ever if your frend is thinking of growing one ,your frend would do much better with a european beech more suted to holland,

They had better have a very big garden if they plan a beech tree or their neighbours will soon think they are nutty. Fun time folks. The shells could be quite old they have gone white but the nuts inside look like beech to me. DK about the different species. If it is something different hope you willcome back . Could they be half eaten hazelnut cobs.

You might be better looking for leaves similar to the tree from which the nuts came.

I have just been on Daleysfruit.com.au they are in NT and may advise if you email them your photos. Good luck

Many thanks for that.
My friends are making a photobook of their trip (for private use only) and have lots of botanical photos. They would like to get the names just right.
I'll try Daleysfruit see what they have to say.
Once again thanks for your trouble.

Gerrit