Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria araucana)

Monkey Puzzle Tree

$79.95

What is Monkey Puzzle Tree

It’s a wonder of the ancient world. This coniferous tree rose to popularity in late 18th-century Europe for its unique prehistoric appearance, and is a great option for gardeners and property owners looking for something a bit outside the box. With heights of up to 90 feet and large, upward-arching branches, it offers a unique look for just about any landscape.

Basically, your Monkey Puzzle Tree will be the talk of the neighborhood. Especially since it delivers year-round color. This evergreen lives up to the name, providing striking green foliage throughout the year. It is native to Chile and Argentina but can thrive in a variety of cool, humid, and temperate climates.

It’s tough and deer resistant. Its sweeping, spiny limbs were thought to confuse and repel monkeys (hence the name), and it repels your local deer and rabbit populations too.

The Monkey Puzzle is the definition of effortless beauty. Plant in the fall or spring, give them plenty of sunshine and space, and let these easy-to-grow trees do their thing. Pruning is rarely needed, so you won’t spend hours cultivating this ornamental gem.

First, it’s nearly impossible to find the Monkey Puzzle at most nurseries. And if they are available, they’re bare-rooted, or ‘ball and burlap.’ This can leave up to 90% of the roots behind, so you risk losing the tree since it’s less able to absorb vital nutrients and water.

But when you order your Monkey Puzzle from GardenCenterPoint, you get healthy roots, better branching, and unique ornamental beauty all in one – no guesswork in growing.

Add contrasting texture and personality to your garden today…get your own Monkey Puzzle Tree!

Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria araucana) Araucaria araucana

How to Grow and Care for Monkey Puzzle Tree

Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria araucana) Growing Requirements

Hardiness zone 6-10 outdoors

Planting

Plant your monkey puzzle tree where it will receive full sun or partial shade (generally, 3 to 6 hours of sunlight daily). If you experience particularly hot summers, planting the tree somewhere that gets extra shade in the afternoon will help protect it from getting scorched. Aside from that, any area with well-drained soil is ideal.

Dig your hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Loosen the soil around the hole and the root ball. Position your tree, backfill the soil, and remove all air pockets by tamping down the soil and applying water. Water the tree planting area again after planting is complete to settle the soil.

Watering

Water the tree deeply every week or two during its first year. Allow the soil to get dry before you water the tree again. Add a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch at the base of the tree to retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool during hot summer temperatures.

Fertilizing

A monthly feeding around early spring to summer with an all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer formula is recommended.

Pruning

Remove any low-growing branches or dead and broken branches in the early spring.

Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria araucana) Details

Common name Monkey Puzzle Tree
Botanical name Araucaria araucana
Plant type Evergreen Trees
Hardiness zone 6-10 outdoors
Growth rate Slow
Height 60-70 ft.
Width 20-30 ft.