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TreesConifers

Araucaria angustifolia × araucana

A slow-growing evergreen tree also known as 'Monkey Puzzle' with snake-like branches of dark green sharp, pointed needles which curve upwards. The bark is grey and wrinkled.

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Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil; prefers a slightly acidic soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in seedbed as soon as ripe; take semi-ripe cuttings of vertical shoot tips in midsummer and root in a cold frame, cuttings of horizontal side branches will not form an upright tree

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural

Pruning

Pruning group 1; little or no pruning is required, as this can permanently spoil the shape of the tree

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

Get involved

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