Citadel Park

The Monkey Puzzle Tree

Araucaria araucana
The "Monkey Puzzle Tree" can be found near the kiosk.

The name "Monkey Puzzle Tree" is a translation from English. The tree got its English name because one of the first Westerners who saw this strange tree with sharp needles remarked, "Climbing this tree would puzzle a monkey..."

The scientific name of this tree and its genus is named after the Arauco Indians of central Chile and southwestern Argentina, in whose territory the tree is found. In Argentina and Chile, the tree is called "Péhuen."

Araucaria araucana is the unique conifer also known as the monkey puzzle tree, Chile pine, or monkey tail tree. This name is due to its sharp, triangular leaves ending in a pointed tip. These needle-like leaves could indeed cause distress to monkeys if they tried to jump from tree to tree and landed on the sharp leaves. The prickly scales also make it difficult for monkeys to grab the seed cones (which resemble large, pineapple-shaped cones).

Of the 19 species of Araucaria, the Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is perhaps the most well-known in our region. Araucaria araucana was introduced to gardens and parks in the Netherlands and Belgium as an exotic novelty in the late 19th century. Here, it can grow up to 25 meters tall, with a width of 5 meters. It is not a fast grower, but it can eventually outgrow smaller gardens. Young seedlings may take a long time to start growing. Once established, the tree can grow 30 to 35 cm per year. It takes around 20 years (or sometimes much longer) to reach maturity and begin flowering.

The leathery needles are broad and arranged like scales along the branches. The young branches at the top of the tree grow upwards, while older branches arch downwards (resembling snakes). Araucaria thrives in a cool climate, preferably with higher humidity. However, young trees may suffer from cold winds. The tree grows well in deep, well-draining, and slightly moist soils, preferably in a sunny location.

As mentioned, the Araucaria can also flower here. After inconspicuous flowering, flat, round cones appear at the top of the tree. The smoother cones are male, while the rounder, spikier cones are female and only appear at the very top of the tree. The seeds can be sown in the spring. Regarding care, the tree benefits greatly from a layer of mulch.