This large coniferous tree has an erect greyish scaly trunk with bark that peals away in strips and horizontal branches that form a conical habit. It has dark green overlapping pointed scale like leaves and the male and female cones appear during early spring.

Hardiness zones 9 to 12

Araucaria ruleiis naturally found on the islands of New Caledonia in fragmented populations that are concentrated around Mt. Boulinda and Paeoua in the north-west or around the Canala and Poro areas on the central north coast, at an altitude from 400 m (1,312 ft) to 800 m (2,624 ft). It grows on nickel rich serpentine in woodlands and wind buffeted open areas.

It prefers an open sunny position and it grows in well-drained poor to moderately fertile sandy stony soils that are tending acidic and is frost and drought tender but salt spray tolerant.

The Rule Pine is grown for its stately habit and is attractive bark. It is planted in parks and large gardens as a lawn specimen or along the borders as an emergent in a tropical setting. It is also planted in a woodland setting or in a botanical collection.

It is suitable for low-mountain regions and establishes in 4-7 years and is long lived. This large tree is not suitable for urban gardens as it has strong roots that can block drains or lift concrete. ID 1899

Note:
It is regarded as endangered in its native habitat due to isolated fragmentation and habitat lossdue to open cast mining with associated roadwork and buildings.

Araucaria(air-ah-KAIR-ee-uh) rulei(roo-LEE-eye)

"Araucaria", after Araucanos, a South American tribe in whose vicinity another species was first collected;

Araucariaceae (air-ah-KAIR-ee-AY-see-ee