BlueBell Arboretum & Nursery

Mail order trees, shrubs, conifers and woody climbers

Description - Araucaria araucana

Majestic and well known tree with a handsome, architectural habit and branches, covered with thick, scale-like, triangular leaves, dark green and broad at the base, with razor-sharp edges.

Araucaria araucana is native to Central Chile, parts of Western Argentina and named after the Arauco province of Chile, inhabited by the Araucano Indians where it was first noticed by westerners. Once established the monkey puzzle can produce edible, arrowhead-like nuts and the trunk of a mature specimen resembles an elephants foot. A superb standalone specimen or avenue tree.

Supplied Size: 1.5L containers (young plants only at 15 - 20 cm tall)

Features

• Common name: Monkey Puzzle.
• Position: Full sun.
• Soil: Well drained, fertile soil.
• Hardiness: Hardy.
• Rate of Growth: Very slow until established then moderate.
• Habit: Eventually a large tree with a branching, upright habit.
• Height: up to 25 m (82 ft).
• Spread: 10 m (32 ft).
• Notes: Araucaria araucana is initially slow growing. After one or two years, once established, it starts to grow at a more vigorous rate. Araucaria araucana thrives in coastal areas, particularly in the South-west of the U.K. and it is said that eighteen established, good-sized trees can provide enough nuts for an adult's sustenance all year round!