If you’ve just bought a Monkey Puzzle Tree, known as Araucaria araucana, congratulations! You’re about to grow one of the most extraordinary and ancient trees on the planet.
Native to the slopes of the Chilean Andes, this striking evergreen has been around since the time of the dinosaurs, and it brings real structure, character and conversation to UK gardens.
Despite its exotic looks, it’s surprisingly tough, fully hardy, and long-lived, and once established, it’s also remarkably easy to care for.
Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from planting to pruning. Whether you’re tucking it into a lawn, adding structure to a large border, or creating a focal point in a new garden design, your Monkey Puzzle is sure to turn heads.
What’s So Special About Monkey Puzzle Trees?
For starters, they’re living fossils. With symmetrical, spiralling branches covered in tough, triangular leaves, Monkey Puzzle Trees look like something straight out of Jurassic Park – and that’s because they are. This species has survived millions of years, and when grown in the right spot, they’ll live for absolutely ages.
What makes them such a good addition to a UK garden is their architectural shape and year-round evergreen presence. They’re slow-growing, low maintenance, and fully hardy once established. Better still, they thrive without much fuss – provided they’re planted well.
What Should I Do When My Monkey Puzzle Tree Arrives?
Unpack your plant as soon as possible and give it a good drink. Don’t be alarmed if some older leaves at the base look yellow; that’s normal and part of the tree’s growth habit.
Keep it in a sheltered, frost-free spot outdoors until you’re ready to plant – ideally within a few days of arrival.
How to Plant a Monkey Puzzle Tree
Choose the right spot! Monkey Puzzle Trees grow tall and broad over time, up to 10 metres in 20 years, eventually reaching 25 metres or more. They need space to grow, so choose an open area away from buildings, power lines or large trees.
Step-by-step planting guide:
- Dig a planting hole twice the width of the rootball and just as deep.
- Loosen the base and sides of the hole with a fork to help the roots spread.
- Add some well-rotted organic matter or tree and shrub compost to the base. Check out our full range of growing essentials by click this link!
- Remove the tree from its pot and gently tease out a few of the roots if they’re tightly bound.
- Position the tree so that the top of the rootball is level with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill with a mix of garden soil and compost, firming in gently.
- Water well after planting and mulch around the base with bark or compost, keeping it away from the trunk.
If your soil is heavy clay, add grit or sand to improve drainage, or consider planting on a slight mound to prevent waterlogging.
How to Care For My Monkey Puzzle Tree
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist during the first couple of growing seasons while the tree establishes. After that, it’s fairly drought tolerant. During very dry spells, an occasional soak is all it needs.
Feeding: In spring, apply a general-purpose, slow-release fertiliser such as Blood, Fish & Bone around the base to give it a boost. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that encourage soft leafy growth.
Pruning and trimming: Monkey Puzzle Trees don’t usually need pruning. If a lower branch dies or gets damaged, you can remove it cleanly at the trunk. Otherwise, let the tree shape itself – that’s part of its appeal.
Winter care: These trees are fully hardy across the UK. In very exposed locations, young trees benefit from a bit of shelter from strong winter winds. A windbreak or wrap of fleece during severe frosts can help until it’s well rooted.
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