Introduction
This large evergreen has a single upright trunk, tiered branching habit, and a pyramidal or columnar shape. Eventually reaching a height of about 80 feet, false monkey puzzle possesses a moderate growth rate. The tree would grow taller, but lightning frequently limits height growth in the eastern United States. The dark green, two-inch-long, individual leaves are lanceolate when young, becoming 1/2-inch ovals at maturity. Both leaf types appear on the tree at the same time. The large, spiny, 10- to 15-pound cones are rare in cultivation.
Credit: Ed Gilman
General Information
Scientific name: Araucaria bidwillii
Pronunciation: air-ah-KAIR-ee-uh bid-WILL-ee-eye
Common name(s): False monkey puzzle tree
Family: Araucariaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 9A through 11 (Fig. 2)
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: little invasive potential
Uses: indoors; specimen
Availability: not native to North America
Description
Height: 60 to 80 feet
Spread: 15 to 25 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: pyramidal, columnar
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: fine
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: spiral (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: linear, needle-like (filiform), lanceolate
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen, needled evergreen
Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: unknown
Flower characteristics: not showy
Fruit
Fruit shape: oval, cone
Fruit length: 3 to 6 inches, 6 to 12 inches
Fruit covering: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically one trunk; thorns
Pruning requirement: little required
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: brown
Current year twig thickness: medium
Wood specific gravity: unknown
Culture
Light requirement: full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate
Other
Roots: can form large surface roots
Winter interest: no
Outstanding tree: no
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown
Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases
Use and Management
Although they provide some shade, they are not suitable for patios or terraces, because they are too large and large surface roots are common. In addition, the columnar-formed trees generally cast limited shade due to the narrow crown. Many people forget how tall these trees grow. They often have an attractive pyramidal form (like a fir or spruce tree) when they are small, but they quickly grow too tall for most residential sites. This tree is best saved for large-scale landscapes like parks and municipal buildings.
Growing best in full sun locations, this tree thrives on a variety of soils and is moderately salt tolerant. Young plants should be watered well, especially during periods of drought. Be sure to prune out multiple trunks or leaders as they should be grown with one central leader.
Propagation is by seeds or cuttings of erect shoot tips only.
Pests
Scale and sooty mold are minor problems.
Diseases
No diseases are of major concern. Leaf spots are a minor problem.
