Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana)

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 6:08 pm

update photo.....talk about a SLOW grower. I planted this in 2005.

<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 8d6618.jpg>

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:44 am

Slow, yes, but also alive!

hasty22 · Post by **hasty22** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 1:07 pm

They are a cool looking tree . do you protect it during winter?
Keith

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:58 am

Keith.......a couple winters I did protect since it appeared to be in decline from browning out season after season.

<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... il2552.jpg>

Here's the protection one season........a string of lights and if it got cold I'd cover it with a blanket.
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... G_1272.jpg>

Last winter I did not protect and it seemed OK. I think it's getting more established now and the top of the tree is getting higher off the ground where the cold air pools in my yard. The ground area is typically a few degrees colder than a few feet higher so less damage should be occurring.

<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 264919.jpg>

I thought I lost my MP tree after this snow storm which bent it over to a 90degree angle......
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 86e4a6.jpg>

<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 7b76fe.jpg>

<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 07ed2e.jpg>

The night after I removed it from the snow cover it dropped to this....not a bad test.....(-2.9F) at ground (+0.9F 5 feet above ground).
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 7288c9.jpg>

<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 731d0d.jpg>

hasty22 · Post by **hasty22** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 5:25 pm

Wow you get a lot of snow!! maybe that helps protect it as well.

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:53 am

I went to Cape Cod recently with a few other board people and we found 1 monkey puzzle tree in Barnstable, MA (Cape Cod). It looked mint.
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... b18c17.jpg>

We also found a large Southern Magnolia on the Cape.
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... d9fae1.jpg>

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 2:58 pm

Tim, maybe yours would be happier transplanted to your beach place?
Ergo...space for another yucca.

Those Cape Cod specimens are great.
I've only ever seen MPs in Vancouver area, and there are lots of towering tall ones there.

Barb

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 6:15 pm

Hi Barb,

Don't forget about the MP tree in Castlegar. There is also another small tree out at Bealby Point road just outside Nelson. This tree is a BEAUTY!!

<img src=http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forum ... 1206544081>

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:55 pm

Those look amazing! I have seen them for sale here, but I don't think I have seen in planted.

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 6:01 pm

Hi Aaron,

I would think Monkey Puzzle trees are a waste of time in your climate.......too cold in winter and too hot in summer!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 7:34 pm

Don't forget about the MP tree in Castlegar. There is also another small tree out at Bealby Point road just outside Nelson. This tree is a BEAUTY!!

Wow, Tim knows the province by its MP trees.
Very impressive, both the trees and the knowledge!

As to heat and cold, Castlegar and Nelson have a ton of snow in winter and while hot, they're not a deserty-dry area, much more humidity.
Closer to Vancouver's humidity than ours actually.

MP trees look so nice when well-grown.
And yours is included, Tim.

Barb

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 7:34 pm

TimMAz6 wrote:Hi Aaron,

I would think Monkey Puzzle trees are a waste of time in your climate.......too cold in winter and too hot in summer!

I bet you are right!

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Wed Nov 06, 2013 9:11 am

That is awesome!

Good luck with yours Tim..

I had a small one that burned up in the summertime..

chadec · Post by **chadec** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:58 am

I am looking to plant mine this yr. It is only about 12" right now, does it need a part shade location or just supplemental water throughout the summer? It has done fine in a pot on the patio with my agave for the past two summers.

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 6:08 pm

If your from NC I would plant the MP so it does not get any afternoon direct sun. I would select a spot which has the coldest soil too. MP's seem to have many issues south of Wash DC since it's too hot/humid. Try to minimize the heat/humidity issue by selecting your coldest location (kinda opposite to growing palms). MP's don't like full shade either.....give them morning sun.

chadec · Post by **chadec** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 6:10 pm

Thanks for the info, I believe you just made it hard for me though. My yard is either deep shade or full sun. In between areas are very few.

PalmsNorth.com

Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana)

Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana)

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