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Re: Araucaria heterophylla

Dear Val and medit-planters,

I'll never forget a trip a few years ago to Norfolk Island, where I was able
to see the pines in their natural habitat.  Trees there can reach 57M tall,
and some are estimated at 350 years old with a circumference of over 11M.
It's interesting that  among reasons for establishment of the Norfolk Is.
convict settlement by the British was to obtain supplies for the Navy,
including NZ flax (Phormium tenax), and timber for masts and spars.  Later
they found out the timber was unsuitable, being weak and knotted.

The climate of Norfolk Island ranges from about 12C to 17C in winter, and
18C to 27C in summer.  However, the pines are cultivated widely in the Med,
Azores, South Africa, New Zealand, Tasmania and elsewhere.  They are all
over the place in Sydney, where I live, and in my notes it says they are
front line salt tolerant, will tolerate mild frosts, but not pollution.

The member of the Araucariaceae I'd love to grow is the Wollemi pine
(Wollemia nobilis), discovered in September 1994.  There are only 20 mature
plants in the whole world, and their location is being kept secret while
they are being propagated.  If you'd like to see a photo of the wonderful
Wollemi bark, go to Dave Noble's homepage,
http://www.lisp.com.au/~daven/index.html

Cheers,
Mary


-----Original Message-----
From: Val Dennison <kelbaert@iol.ie>
To: medit-plants <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Date: Monday, April 06, 1998 8:34 AM
Subject: Araucaria heterophylla


>During a recent visit to Sorrento, Italy,  I saw wonderful Araucaria
>heterophylla growing in the gardens of villas. What a marvellous silhouette
>these trees make. Thus enthused, I wondered if I could grow one here in the
>West of Ireland, outside in the garden. I am a little apprehensive as to
the
>Winter temperatures. The lowest I have recorded this Winter in my garden is
>- 4 degrees.( that is minus four).
>Has anyone any experience of growing Araucaria heterophylla at these sort
of
>temps?  I have a small plant which I can experiment with but oh! those
>wonderful shapes in Sorentto, I would love to succeed with a tree outside.
>Val Dennison
>Limerick
>Rep.of Ireland.
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