Credit: David Foley
Araucaria araucana
Background and story
The Monkey Puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) is one of the most distinctive and recognisable conifers in cultivation, native to the Andes of Chile and Argentina, where it forms part of ancient mountain forests.
It was introduced to Ireland and Britain in 1795 by Archibald Menzies, who famously brought seeds back from South America.
Its rigid, spirally arranged branches and sharp, triangular leaves give it a uniquely architectural and almost prehistoric appearance, which quickly made it a curiosity and later a staple feature tree in estates and gardens.
Did you know?
The name “Monkey Puzzle” comes from an Englishman in the 1800s who said its branches would “puzzle a monkey to climb it", despite monkeys not being native to its range.
Hardiness and conservation
The recorded RHS hardiness rating is H7, which means this plant is extremely hardy and suited to severe continental European winter conditions. The recorded USDA/PFAF hardiness value is 6-11, which is useful as a broad winter-temperature guide, but it should not be read as a direct substitute for the RHS rating. Local hardiness always depends on local shelter, drainage, winter wet, salt-laden wind and the plant’s age and establishment.
The IUCN Red List status recorded here is Endangered (EN). This places it in a threatened category, with a very high risk of extinction in the wild. The assessment year recorded in the plant data is 2013.
CITES data is also recorded for this plant: Appendix I. Appendix I is the strictest listing, and international commercial trade in wild-collected specimens is generally prohibited.
Additional notes for Ireland and Britain
In Ireland and Britain, Araucaria araucana has proved remarkably adaptable and reliable, tolerating cool, wet climates, coastal exposure, and wind better than many exotic conifers. It prefers well-drained soil and open space, eventually forming a tall, symmetrical tree reaching 20–30 metres or more, though growth is slow in its early years. Once established, it is long-lived and resilient, making it well suited to larger gardens and landscapes where its distinctive form can be appreciated. It is particularly successful in coastal regions such as around Dublin Bay, where milder conditions favour steady growth.
From a conservation and hardiness perspective, Araucaria araucana is classified as Endangered in the wild, primarily due to historic logging, land clearance, fire, and grazing pressures in its native range. While widely planted in cultivation, natural populations remain fragmented and under pressure. In terms of hardiness, it is fully tolerant of Irish conditions, coping with frost, wind, and salt-laden air, though it dislikes waterlogged soils and benefits from good drainage. In an Irish context, it represents a striking contrast between robust garden performance and vulnerability in the wild, adding both visual drama and ecological significance to the landscape.
Notable features
- It is a true “living fossil” dating back to the age of dinosaurs. The Monkey Puzzle tree belongs to an ancient lineage, with close relatives present around 200 million years ago in the Jurassic period. Its distinctive, spiny leaves are even thought to have evolved as a defence against grazing dinosaurs.
- Monkey Puzzle trees are extraordinarily long-lived, commonly surviving over 700 years, with some estimates reaching up to 1,000–2,000 years. Over time, their form changes from a neat pyramid to a distinctive umbrella-shaped crown in maturity.
- The tree is usually dioecious, meaning male and female cones grow on separate trees. The female cones can contain around 200 large, nut-like seeds (“piñones”), which are edible and nutritious. These seeds have been a staple food for indigenous Mapuche (Pehuenche) communities for centuries, eaten roasted, boiled, or ground.
- Although familiar in gardens across Europe, Araucaria araucana is classified as Endangeredin the wild due to logging, fire, grazing, and habitat fragmentation. It is also protected under CITES Appendix I, restricting international trade in wild-collected material.
Earlscliffe notes
We have two specimens at Earlscliffe, quite close together. The youngest was planted in an area that was previously burnt in the local bush fires of 1996.