Araucaria

The Chilean Araucaria (Araucaria araucana), also called monkey tail tree or Chilean pine, provided the indigenous people of the Andes as well as the first settlers with a reliable source of food and wood. In Europe, the tree is appreciated for its exceptional ornamental qualities. The needles along the young branches are arranged like roof tiles, giving the tree its delicate character. The bark of the Araucaria can be up to 14 cm thick and protects it from forest fires and hot ash from volcanic eruptions in its native habitat.