12-30-08: Araucaria arucana/ Monkey Puzzle Tree

Araucaria arucana/ Monkey Puzzle Tree Do you have room in the garden for a plant that is a bit of a curio?

Walking to school in the little town I grew up in I passed one and loved its odd shape. It was fenced in so I never felt its sharp needle leaves. All who see this tree either admire it or wonder where it comes from. The monkey puzzle tree is from southern South America (Chile and Argentina) where national parks protect the remaining old ones. As they age, they grow straight up and the trunks are a very consistent size. A very old tree looks more like an umbrella (with a very long handle) than the jungle gym tree we see in neighborhoods. For this reason they are valued for milled lumber. They're seeds are also delicious and harvested for food. Araucaria araucana or pehuen (from Mapuche Indian language) grow 90 to 130 feet tall and 30 feet wide. They are very slow growers and do not produce their large pine nut like seeds, until they are 30 to 40 years old. When they do produce, it is in huge and tasty quantities. The trees are dioecious which means male and female. One male tree is needed for every 5 to 6 females. They live to be about 1000 years old. Normally, in the landscape Araucaria araucana is planted singly as a specimen tree, but it will reward anyone with the foresight to plant a grove of them for their grandchildren.

Pleasant Hill Nursery is pleased to offer:

Araucaria arucana in 4' and B&B: Call for Prices & to Check Availability