Re. Araucaria

Hi All
Back to my computer after an enforced break.

The Araucariacea is actually one of my favourite Gymnosperm families - but
not one I'm afraid which is really suitable for the Med. regions of the
world. There is a very nice collection of them here in Capetown ( at the
Claremont Gardens ) but that area has a very high water table so they are
able to get through the summer OK. Otherwise they look pretty scrappy in any
dryland setting & become very weak & badly attacked by scale.
The exceptions of course are the Norfolk Pine ( A heterophylla ) & the
closely related A. cookii from New Caledonia. The Cooks Pine looks like a
slender, almost fastigiate form of the Norfolk Pine & to my taste looks
rather 'weedy' & spindly when compared to that solid statelyness of the
latter. They've definitely got a place in any parkland collection but not
really worth the trouble otherwise.
I've got a row of the Norfolk's planted on my property boundary on 20m
spacings. They're 3m tall now, getting a weekly watering by drip line &
responding well.
If you've got the water to try different ones & your climate isn't too cold
then I think the most impressive species of the genus is the Australian
Bunya Bunya Pine ; A bidwillii. This is similar to the A, araucariana in its
leaf structure but very different in its branching structure. A mature
specimen forms a lovely rounded dome with the older branches elongating to
droop down & outwards in an elegant symmetrical skirt. Very regal & highly
effective as an avenue tree.

Also - if you have the warmth & water - don't forget the other genus in the
family ; the Agathis or Kauri family. This is mainly a western Pacific
grouping with the most famous member being the NZ Kauri which really is one
of the worlds great specimen trees. Theres some growing in the Claremont
gardens again & doing well.

I think the original enquiry for this thread was from Denmark & feel the
Araucaria araucana really is the best bet for that cold climate. The monkey
puzzle forests occur south of the Med. zone there in the Andean foothills &
I've seen photos of them in the snow . A lot of people don't like them but I
see them as having great character

None of these trees - as has been pointed out - are suitable for a small
garden. A feature of the family is the way the seed is released. In an
ordinary pine cone the bracts open when they are ripe & the seed is blown
out & away. When the Araucaria cone is ripe it suddenly disintegrates & all
the bracts fall straight to the ground with the seed still attached. Given
that these bracts are quite heavy & with pointed ends they're a positive
menace.
I well remember my days as a little gardener doing my apprenticeship,
raking up under the Norfolk Pines, hearing that telltale rattle up in the
trees & having to run like hell.

Regards

Glenn Breayley. Ragnarok & Valhalla Research.
POBox 26158, Hout Bay, 7872, Capetown, South Africa
Ph/Fax SA 021 7904253  E-mail valhalla@iafrica.com
Wholesale nurseryman & Tillandsia specialist wholesale & retail grower.
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