The Andean fir, which is known in technical terms as Araucaria araucana, is also known as the Chilean ornamental fir, Chilean fir or the snake tree. In addition, the fir is also known by the following names:
- Chilean Araucaria
- scale fir
- Monkey Tail Tree
- Monkey Puzzle Tree
- monkey tree
| Andenta fir or Chilean fir (Araucaria araucana) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 5 - 30 cm a year |
| Growth: | 1000 - 1800 cm |
| Growth: | 200 - 400 cm |
| Root system: | Deep Roots |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | nutrient-rich, avoiding lime |
Origin
The Andean fir belongs to the Araucaria genus and is therefore considered a particularly old plant. Finally, fossil finds show that today's araucaria are related to plants that existed on earth around 90 million years ago. According to this, the scaly fir belongs to one of the oldest tree families around the globe.
The Andean fir has been known in Europe since 1795, thanks to a physician and biologist named Archibald Menzies. Only a few years later, namely in 1800, the name "Monkey Puzzle Tree" came up in England. An Englishman thought that climbing the Andean fir was a task that even monkeys could hardly solve and henceforth called the Andean fir the Monkey Puzzle Tree.
The fact that the tree is so difficult to climb is mainly due to the dagger-like leaves. The fact that there are no monkeys at all where the Andean fir occurs in the wild that could try this feat is rather incidental. Anyone who would like to find out more about the Andean fir, which is threatened in its homeland, and the possibilities of growing it in this country should definitely continue reading at this point.
Plant Description
This type of fir is an evergreen plant that can grow to a height of 30 to 50 meters in its homeland of South America, while the trunk then has a diameter of one to two metersHas. It should also be noted that the Chilean Araucarias grow quite slowly. They do not gain more than 30 centimeters in height per year, so it takes an extremely long time for such a fir to reach its maximum growth height. In this country, the annual growth is sometimes only five to 15 centimeters.
However, these trees also grow very old. Specimens of the Andean fir that were between 1,300 and up to 2,000 years old have already been documented. If the Andean fir is to be used as timber, it is usually felled after a good 500 years. It takes a good 100 years for the Andean fir to shed its lower branches so that the trunk of the plant becomes visible there. The following can also be said about the nature of the tree:
- very flexible
- a straight, cylindrical stem
- dense needles on the branches
- fresh green branches
- Branches consisting of whorls of 3 to around 7 twigs each
- umbrella or ovate crown
- deep fir roots
The leaves of the Andean fir not only shine in a beautiful dark green, they are also very hard and leathery and have a scale-like appearance. They have a triangular shape and are 2.5 to 3 centimeters long. They measure between one and two centimeters in width. The bark of the Andean fir is ten to fourteen centimeters thick. The bark of the Chilean Araucaria is dark gray and not only protects the fir from heat, but also from possible fires.
This is particularly important in the homeland of the Andean fir, as volcanic eruptions can occur there. Up to a quarter of the stem is made up of the plant's bark. The Andean fir is also a plant with two sexes, which has an ocher-yellow heartwood whose annual rings are extremely difficult to identify. The wood of the Andean fir is easy to work with and further processing, which has led to the fact that the fir is now endangered, as it is often cut down for timber in its homeland.
Habitat of the Andean Fir
As the name of the Andean fir already suggests, this fir comes from Chile, more precisely from the Andes. The fir is also native to Patagonia and Argentina. The evergreen fir can even be found there at an altitude of 600 to 1,700 meters above sea level. Even temperature extremes from minus 20 degrees Celsius to plus 30 degrees Celsius do not bother the plant. In their homeland there is also rainfall of 1,000 to 4,500millimeters per year.
In the northwest of Europe, the Andean fir is quite hardy and can also reach a height of up to 50 meters in this country, provided the optimal planting and environmental conditions prevail. Especially the warmer parts of Germany are preferred by the plant, which can be found for example in the botanical garden at the castle of Karlsruhe. In many parts of Germany, hobby gardeners therefore have a good chance that their Andean fir will thrive. However, this sometimes requires keeping a bucket.
How is the Andean fir used?
The Andean fir is not only used in hobby gardens. Rather, the wood of the Chilean ornamental fir is also used in the following areas:
- House construction
- Bridge construction
- Boat Building
- Veneer
In Chile and Argentina, some indigenous people even eat the fruit cones of the Andean fir as food. To do this, the seeds are boiled so that the skin can then be peeled off. They taste similar to a mixture of the following foods:
- Potatoes
- Almonds
- Peanuts
The fact that the Andean fir can be used in a variety of ways is also shown by the fact that it is equally popular as an ornamental tree. The park and ornamental tree is highly valued for its exotic appearance and is therefore deliberately planted. In the home of the plant, on the other hand, it is now even the case that it is considered threatened. This has to do with the many possible uses. In the meantime, the trade in the Andean fir is no longer permitted, as it is a highly endangered species that is even listed on the Red List. In Chile there is even a ban on its use, while special protection zones have been set up for this species of fir in Argentina.
How to plant the Andean fir
Location and ground:
As one of the oldest trees in the world, the Andean fir prefers a location that is not only as warm and sunny as possible, but also ideally sheltered from the wind. With regard to soil conditions, the fir makes the following demands on its environment:
- lean
- high proportion of sand
- slightly acidic (preferably a pH of 5.5 to 6.8)
- moist
- moderate nutrient content
A location with the highest possible humidity is just as agreeable to the monkey fir. An orientation of the fir to the south or west is considered ideal. Because in this way it can be ensured that the Andean fir hardlycomes into contact with morning/mid-morning/winter sun. Especially with regard to the wintering of the monkey fir outdoors, the choice of location is of crucial importance.
If the soil in which the Andean fir is to be planted does not already have the right nutrient mixture, hobby gardeners can help if necessary. A mixture of humus, sand and soil is recommended for this purpose. If the soil is particularly heavy, a drainage layer should not be omitted. It should be at least 20 centimeters thick to protect the Andean fir from waterlogging.
Planting Instructions:
The Andean fir should never be transplanted, as this is not good for the tree. It is therefore important to find the right location from the start where the Andean fir can thrive permanently. Cultivation in a bucket is also quite conceivable. However, the pot should be large enough, as, as already mentioned, repotting the plant should be avoided in any case.
» note growth height
When planting the Andean fir, it is important to remember that the tree in this country usually grows to a height of ten to a maximum of 15 meters. The monkey fir should therefore only be planted in places where this does not become a problem. In addition, the Andean fir must also have enough space in width so that its horizontal growth of around four meters does not become a problem. The distance to other plants, walls and roofs should therefore be sufficiently large, since the Andean fir cannot be transplanted later and pruning the monkey fir is also problematic.
» Time and planting hole
In this country, the Andean fir is best planted in spring. This makes sense because the fir can then get used to its new location until autumn and form enough new roots there. The planting hole that is dug for the Andean fir should be about twice the width and depth of the root ball of the fir. While the Andean fir is endangered in its homeland, young plants are easily available in specialist shops in this country.
It is best to add garden compost or peat to the planting hole in addition to soil at the end. Because this helps the Andean fir to grow much better. The top of the root ball should be completely covered with soil. At the end, tread lightly on the soil and don't forget to water the ornamental fir sufficiently. Because the Andean fir cannot thrive if the conditions are too dry.
» Andean firplant in the tub
If the Andean fir is planted in a tub, this is basically possible all year round. However, all hobby gardeners should definitely use a frost-free substrate. In addition, the proper drainage must not be missing, since it has an essential effect on the well-being of this plant. The following materials are suitable in this context:
- Sand
- Gravel
The drainage layer is best covered with fleece before the planter is filled with the actual substrate. When planting in tubs, it is also important to water the Andean fir sufficiently and to protect the young plants from rain, at least initially.
How to properly care for the Andean fir
Watering and fertilizing:
In general, the Andean fir is a fairly easy-care plant. However, the fir must be kept constantly moist so that it feels completely comfortable. Soft water is ideal for watering the monkey fir. However, waterlogging is poison for the fir and should therefore be avoided at all costs so that the monkey fir does not die.
In general, fertilizing of the plant is not necessary. An organic complete fertilizer in liquid form should only be used for an Andean fir that is kept as a container plant. It is best to fertilize the plant regularly at intervals of two to three weeks. However, this does not apply in winter.
Pruning:
A pruning of the Andean fir is to be avoided in any case. This is due to the fact that the Andean fir will not sprout again in the pruned areas in the future. If a pruning cannot be avoided for reasons of space, this should be carefully considered. It is best for all hobby gardeners to cut back the monkey fir directly in the area of the trunk and make sure that no unsightly stumps are left behind.
If pruning cannot be avoided, it should be carried out in dry, warm weather if possible. However, the ideal choice of location helps ensure that the Andean fir never needs pruning, or only minimal pruning. Each pruning ultimately has a negative effect on the appearance of the fir.
Propagation:
Propagating the Andean fir by seeds is relatively easy. However, it is important to remember that these are cold germs. These can either be grown in the refrigerator or sown in the garden if the weather conditions are right. After all, the term "cold germ" means thatthe seed only germinates in particularly cold temperatures.
Cultivation of cold germs in the refrigerator is the easiest, especially for amateurs and beginners. This requires special seed trays into which the seeds of the Andean fir can then be placed. Together with a moist mixture of sand and soil, the seeds are placed in the trays, which are then covered with a plastic bag. Under no circumstances should the seed be fertilized while it is germinating, as this could even mean the death of the tender plants.
It takes about three to four weeks for the seeds of the Andean fir to germinate in the refrigerator. In order for this project to succeed, all hobby gardeners should ensure that temperatures of around five degrees Celsius prevail in the refrigerator. After the seeds have germinated, they can be transplanted into a suitable substrate. It is important that the seed is covered by a maximum of two thirds with substrate and that one third still protrudes. The substrate for the Andean fir seeds can be mixed as follows:
- conventional potting soil from specialist shops
- Sand or Perlite or Coconut Potting Soil (about a third)
It is important that the substrate is constantly slightly moist. It can take up to three months for germination to take place. The seedlings only thrive at temperatures of five to a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius. While ambient temperatures can vary, they should always be within this tolerance range.
Hiberation:
The Andean fir is only partially hardy in this country. For this reason, it is advisable to plant the monkey fir in tubs from the start. This step allows for trouble-free overwintering of the tree. Whether the fir can also be planted in your own hobby garden depends above all on the low temperatures reached in winter.
The right location can also help to prevent damage to the Andean fir as much as possible, even in severe frost. It therefore makes sense, for example, if the Andean fir is assigned a location in the immediate vicinity of the north wall of a building. This location should be bright, but at the same time protect the monkey fir from the harmful effects of the winter sun.
A thick layer of mulch to protect the roots can also help the Andean fir to successfully overwinter outdoors. A shading net, on the other hand, can be used to protect the branches from the effects of the winter sun. To protect the trunk from frost, he caneasily wrapped with one of the following materials:
- Fleece
- pine branches
- Reed Mats
It is also important to remember that the Andean fir must be watered moderately even in winter so that the root ball does not dry out completely, which would otherwise lead to the "brown" death of the ornamental fir. However, watering the Andean fir outdoors is only recommended if it is currently a frost-free period or a long-lasting dry frost period.
Detecting and combating diseases and pests
Even if the monkey fir is generally regarded as a very robust plant, waterlogging can cause considerable damage. Not only does the wet itself damage the plant, but fungal infections are also encouraged at the same time. As a rule, these are deadly for the fir.
If there is too much frost and at the same time too much sun in winter, this often becomes a serious problem for the tree as well. The Andean fir can then absorb no or not enough water and thus simply dries up. The fact that the Andean fir is drying up can also be seen from the brown color of the tree.