Araucaria araucana

Anyone who has ever seen a large monkey puzzle tree has gazed in awe at the incredible nature of this seemingly alien curiosity. Araucaria araucana is truly one of the most architecturally bizarre trees in the universe. This Chilean native thrives both in the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast US...as long as it doesn't get much summer rain and provided the soil drainage is near perfect. We recomend planting Araucaria araucana where other moisture-sucking plants are on the north side to help keep the soil dry in the event of heavy summer rains. The thick, green, spiny trunk is indistinguishable from the rigid, rope-like branches...especially when young. In the Southeast US, expect a 7-10' tall monkey puzzle tree in 10 years. When mature, the huge cones are heavy enough to knock sense into even the thickest of skulls, so site appropriately.