Tuesday

Pinhão Monkey Puzzle Chilean Pine Araucaria araucana


  Very unusual, rare and exotic looking prehistoric specimen Tree.  

The Monkey Puzzle Tree is an exotic South American evergreen tree that will grow from the warmest parts of zone 6 to zone 10. It will grow in any soil that is well-drained and typically grows to around 50 feet tall in gardens, although in the wild it can reach 130 feet. This tree grows in a symmetrical conical shape with a strong central trunk and the leathery leaves clasp the stems and persist for many years. The leaves have a sharp point and the way they are wrapped around the stems is almost like a strange kind of snake. The symmetrical shape and dense growth makes this an unusual and attractive tree for larger properties and it is always a conversation piece.


The name "Monkey Puzzle" comes from the fact that the branches have consistent 
 diameters and curve around like a long monkey's tail, where the scaled leaves make the branches look hairy. The scaled leaves look like pieces of a puzzle with their even and angular shape.


In their native range, Monkey Puzzle Trees are prized for their edible pine nuts which are large and delicious. Seeds germinate easy and plant grows zone 6-10.
 

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