EXOTIC MONKEY PUZZLE TREE - 10 SEEDS - Araucaria araucana

10 SEEDS PER PACK     All Growing instructions included.  

An Unusual Tree
The monkey puzzle tree is an unusual, attractive, and very interesting plant. Its ancestors coexisted with the dinosaurs and formed large forests. The modern tree has strange leaves, a distinctive trunk, and branches that emerge from the trunk in whorls. The female trees produce large and tasty seeds which are very popular in some parts of the world.
The monkey puzzle tree, or Araucaria araucana, is an evergreen conifer. The tree's common name comes from the idea that a monkey would be unable to climb it. It's also known as the Chilean pine or the Chile pine, although it's not a member of the pine family. The tree grows slowly and lives for hundreds of years. It has been introduced to many places around the world, where it grows as an ornamental plant.

Trunk and Leaves
Monkey puzzle trees are fascinating plants that some people consider to be weird or even bizarre. Mature trees may reach 150 feet in height—or even higher according to some sources—and have a trunk diameter of up to 7 feet. Another startling fact is that the trees are thought to live for as long as a thousand years.
The first thing that strikes an observer of a young tree is probably its upright form and its symmetrical shape. If the observer moves closer, they will see the tree's strange leaves and trunk.
The leaves of the monkey puzzle tree are thick and stiff and have a pointed tip. The leaves overlap each other and completely cover the branches. They are sometimes said to look "reptilian" because they remind people of a reptile's scales. The trunk is grey in color and has circular ridges.
As the tree matures, the ridges on the bottom of the trunk start to look like folds. The base of the trunk may eventually resemble an elephant's foot.
It is known as a living fossil and is a prehistoric tree dating back 210 million years ago to the Triassic period. It probably became extinct in the northern hemisphere around 65 million years ago.

The monkey puzzle tree is a slow growing long lived evergreen conifer with very sharp blade-like leaves. It will grow to around 30 metres in height with a spread of around 15 metres. There are twenty known species found around the world. It is often grown in the British Isles as an ornamental. However, it is now becoming popular as a food crop since it produces large edible nuts.

The seeds have no dormancy and should be planted when freshly harvested. Plant seeds in pots or in the ground with the pointed end down. They will germinate at around 20 degrees C within two to four weeks. However, they may take longer to germinate at a lower temperature and they can be kept in the fridge to delay germination. Check seeds regularly and once a strong white root has emerged pot them on. Seeds that haven't germinated may be re-inserted back into the seed compost. When potting the seedlings on be careful not to break the root. It is best to use a stick or pencil to make a hole before inserting the root into new compost. Roots snap off quite easily.

Protect the growing seedling from harsh winter weather and plant out into their final position during the following spring or summer. They can be kept in pots for several years. However, all trees usually grow better the sooner they are planted into their final position. The monkey puzzle tree prefers well-drained slightly acid soil but will tolerate any type of soil. Producing heavy crops during cool summers, it grows well in the cool temperate climate of the British Isles.
The monkey puzzle tree will tolerate salty winds in coastal areas but not pollution.
Other uses
The resin of the tree is used to treat wounds and ulcers. The timber from the monkey puzzle tree is straight and of a good quality. However, it is now illegal to fell any trees from the wild. Its rarity and vulnerable status means the wood is rarely used now. Unlike most conifers, this tree can be coppiced.
Raw edible parts
The seeds are edible raw or cooked. They are large in size with a vaguely triangular shape and similar in appearance to a brazil nut. Fresh nuts taste a little like a uncooked chestnut or maybe a fresh green hazelnut. Ensure they are ripe before eating raw. Dried monkey puzzle nuts are more like a dried chestnut and are quite hard and dry. Dried nuts can be ground down to make a flour.