The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Monkey puzzle treeis an evergreen conifer that grows in mountainous regions of South America.
They do not tolerate deep shade.
If growing indoors in a container, place the plant near a window that gets plenty of direct light.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Adding some perlite to the potting mix in a container may aid drainage.
The tree prefers medium moist soil, and that can usually be maintained by the precipitation that occurs naturally.
If a dry spell does occur, water as needed.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
For a plant in a container besides keeping the soil moist, a regular misting will be needed.
It can survive brief temperatures down to minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
Monkey puzzle trees generally require nopruningother than to remove dead or broken branches.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
These should be removed back to the main trunk, as partial pruning often kills the entire branch.
Purchased seeds are the best option because you will be assured that they are female seeds.
Monkey puzzle trees are dioecious, meaning that male and female cones appear on separate trees.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Male cones are elongated and oval, while female cones are large and round.
If you collect seeds, confirm to sow them right away.
Monkey puzzle trees should grow in any well-draining potting mix in any pop in of pot with good drainage.
Poorly draining soils and overly wet conditions encourage these mold and fungal diseases.
Trees with substantial surface roots may also heave sidewalks, driveways, and patios.
This tree gets surprisingly large, so plant it with at least 24 feet of open space around it.
Don’t plant this tree near overhead utility lines.
There is no cause for concern, as long as the tree is otherwise in good health.
Monkey puzzle trees are slow growers, taking about 10 years before reaching maturity.
However, they are long-lived, some living over 1,000 years.
Monkey puzzle trees are not naturalized in the U.S., but they survive in the right environment.
These nuts make the tree quite appealing to birds and other animals.
Monkey Puzzle Tree Maintenance.
Plants Susceptible to Phytophthora Diseases.Pacific Northwest.
