Araucaria araucana (Monkey Puzzle)

A bold statement in the landscape, Araucaria araucana (Monkey Puzzle) is an architectural evergreen conifer with whorled branches clothed in short, pointed, lustrous dark green leaves, spirally arranged around the branches. Leathery and overlapping, the leaves persist for many years. Slow-growing, Monkey Puzzle has an open, symmetrical, loose-pyramidal habit in youth, but develops into an umbrella-shaped tree with the loss of the lower branches. The horizontal, broad, spreading, rope-like branches become downward-sweeping branches that curve up at the tip like the tail of a monkey. The tree is usually dioecious, with the male and female cones on separate trees, though occasional individuals bear cones of both sexes. Resembling muskmelons, the female cones are quite large, up to 8 in long (20 cm), and may weigh 10–15 lbs. (4.5–7 kg) apiece. They take three years to ripen. The seeds are edible, similar to large pine nuts, and are extensively harvested in Chile. Araucaria araucana is a popular garden tree. It is a magnificent focal point on a lawn and can be grown in a grove. It is well suited for coastal locations.

• Grows up to 50-80 ft. tall (15-24 m) and 20-30 ft. wide (6-9 m).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils, as long as drainage is good. Provide a site sheltered from cold, drying winds.
• Pest free. Keep an eye our for honey fungus.
• No routine pruning necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots.
• Native to Chile, Argentina.