Monkey Puzzle tree Araucaria araucana
The Monkey Puzzle tree Araucaria araucana, originally from Chile and Argentina, has been growing in temperate regions since the middle of the 19th century so probably is not very exotic now. To me it also looks a bit 1970's - perhaps because at that time I had a friend with an enormous one in his front garden.
But for all that, it is an unusual tree and the Monkey puzzle can certainly privide an unusual centre-piece to your garden. The monkey puzzle is the hational tree of Chile, and has survived more or less the same since the days of the dinosaurs.
The tree will grow to 30 metres tall, although quite slow-growing. It is a member of the pine family, and has slightly curved upwards branches, covered in very sharp-edged leaves about 4 centimetres long.
It does not need winter protection in most regions! Being hardy to -20 C it is found in most parts of the USA, Europe and the UK and parts of Canada.
The Monkey puzzle prefers plenty of water and well-drained slightly acidic soil, but does well in a wide range of conditions.
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