Description
Emerging straight from the Andes Mountains in South America, the Monkey Puzzle Tree is an evergreen conifer with a history of sharing the land with dinosaurs around 200 million years ago.
This multifaceted conifer gets its name after a British barrister’s viral comment, “It would puzzle a monkey to climb that.”
During the Victorian era, this living fossil was a specimen for status symbols among wealthy people and was linked to the devil and bad luck. Gained popularity worldwide due to its ornamental appeal, present-day plant lovers associate it with strength, resilience, new beginnings, and adventure.
Let us discover some amazing features, benefits, and uses before you make a buying decision.
Botanical background of the Monkey Puzzle Tree
Commonly known as Chilean Pine, Monkey Tail Tree, Pino Araucana, or Pehuen Pine, this tree is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina, growing in the foothills of the Andes.
Although its origin, appearance, and conifer plant order are similar to those of pines, Chilean Pine, as the name suggests, is not a pine. Let us quickly rifle through its taxonomical background to get a clear understanding of its profile.
| Botanical Name | Araucaria araucana |
| Plant Type | Evergreen Coniferous Tree |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Clade | Tracheophytes |
| Clade | Gymnospermae |
| Division | Pinophyta |
| Class | Pinopsida |
| Order | Araucariales |
| Family | Araucariaceae |
| Genus | Araucaria |
| Species | A. araucana |
Habitat loss, over-harvesting, wildfires, illegal logging, and lack of natural regeneration have put the Monkey Tail tree in an endangered spot.
Notable Features and Benefits of Monkey Tail Tree
A statement of unusual beauty with significance in cultural practices to material uses, Araucaria araucana is equipped with striking features and benefits.
Leaves
It features lush, glossy, and leathery triangular-shaped leaves, which are broad at the base with needle-like spiky edges.
Cones
Araucana trees are non-flowering and dioecious in nature, meaning male and female cones grow on separate trees.
Unlike female catkins, which are spike-like cones, male catkins are long clusters of narrow green stamens that turn yellow and finally brown at the end of summer.
Fruits
They produce cones, which ripen in two to three years by eventually turning brown and yielding large seeds.
The seeds have a starchy, nutty taste when raw, and release a chestnut-like flavor when cooked.
Contribute to Diversity
Monkey Tail trees offer a source of habitat and food supply to many insects, small animals like squirrels and jays, and birds, especially parakeets.
Ornamental Appeal
It is widely used as an ornamental tree in various parts of North America, Europe, and other parts of the world. Its unique appearance makes it ideal for coastal gardens, arboretums, lawns, patios, or small groves.
Material Uses
The seeds of Araucaria trees are edible and consumed in many forms—dried, cooked, roasted, mashed, and used in making flour. Besides, it is also used to feed animals.
Moreover, the localities of Chile and Argentina use the timbers and logs for construction, fuelwood, paper pulp, ship masts, railway sleepers, and pit props.
This multifaceted plant showcases history, elegance, and visual appeal to any landscape.
Ultimate Care Tips to Keep Your Monkey Tree Healthy
If you wish to reap the benefits from its harvest, you must plant it at a really young age; otherwise, it is going to be a gift to your descendants, as these evergreens are extremely slow growers and take 40-50 years to produce cones.
Here are a few more guidelines for taking correct care of this genus.
| Hardiness | 7-10 USDA |
| Light | It performs best under full sun but can tolerate afternoon shade during an extreme dry spell. |
| Water | The tree is maintained through the precipitation that occurs naturally, although occasional misting can be done when planted in pots. |
| Soil | Deep, well-draining soil mixed with some perlite is suitable for the tree. |
| Temperature & Humidity | They survive in temperatures ranging between 20°C and 25°C and can withstand low temperatures up to -20°C without any additional humidity. |
| Fertilizers | Requires no fertilizers, as it absorbs nutrients from its root system. |
| Pruning | No pruning is needed other than removing deadheads and broken branches. |
| Pests & Diseases | Faces infestations by aphids, mealybugs, mites, and scales very seldom.
Fix: Use neem or other horticultural oils to get rid of them. |
| Growth Rate | Extremely slow growers with an average of 35cm per year. |
| Mature Size | 50-80 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide. |
| Spacing | 12-15 meters apart |
You can easily propagate them through seeds, which are easily available in markets. The other most reliable option is to buy a Monkey Puzzle tree for sale and repot it in your desired landscape.
Fun Insights!
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User Reviews & Ratings
Henry Frankfurt: I received the tree in good condition and have potted it in a container until I find my forever home.
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Amelia Branks: Spotted a full-fledged Araucaria tree in my neighborhood. It’s a mesmerizing sight to behold.
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Isra Micheal: The cones of my Araucana tree are ready to be plucked. I can’t wait for them to ripen and enjoy the tasty seeds.
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Geffrey Frankfurt: Finally spotted Araucaria trees for sale in the local nursery.
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How much is a Monkey Puzzle tree worth?
Young seedlings can cost $35 – $55, whereas the old, mature trees can cost you thousands of dollars.
Can you grow Monkey Tail trees in the US?
Yes, you can grow them in the US in areas with a hardiness zone of 7-10 USDA, like Oregon, Washington, or California.
Why is the A. araucana species endangered?
It is listed as endangered due to its over-harvesting, illegal use, burning, and loss of habitat.
How long does it take Chilean Pines to gain maturity?
They are extremely slow growers, and it takes 40-50 years for them to gain maturity.
