Araucaria araucana

Small tree of singular, fantastic beauty, in central Europe only reaching 5-7 (10) m height, 3-4 m wide, in favourable conditions considerably larger; crown conical to ovoid; branches strictly arranged in layers, horizontal, also drooping in the lower crown; very slow-growing, 5-10 cm a year.

Thick, scaly, triangular leaves, dark green, sharply pointed, prickly, arranged around the twigs like a cylinder-screw.

Sun, tolerates heat, likes warmth; young specimen always need frost protection, later moderate frost protection; prefers humid air and soil, tolerates urban environments, wind resistant.

Acidic to neutral substrates, always well-drained, no heavy soil; likes nutritious sandy-gravelly, slightly loamy, humic substrates.

Zone 8a