This large coniferous tree has a solitary upright blackish trunk with whorled branches towards the top that form rounded crown. It has stiff leathery dark green triangular leaves that are packed along the arching branchlets and cones appear in spring. 

Hardiness zones 8 to 9 

Araucaria araucana is naturally found in South America from the Chilean Andes to Argentina growing in volcanic based well drained fertile moist soil. It prefers an open sunny position and flourishes in cool moist positions and is frost tolerant but drought tender.

The Monkey Puzzle is grown for its unique appearance and is planted in large gardens, parks and public areas as a specimen tree. It is suitable for coastal and low mountain regions establishing in 4 to 6 years and is long lived. It is not commonly cultivated and may be difficult to obtain. In its native region it is an important timber tree and this species is the hardest of the genus. ID 2760

During the 1840's it was thought that monkeys would be puzzled how to climb the tree, hence the common name.

Note:
When young the branches extend to the ground and as the tree matures a naked black-brown trunk that is up to 1.2m (5ft) diameter is revealed topped with a rounded crown of interwoven branchlets.

Araucaria (ar-â-kā’ ri-ä ) araucana (ar- â-kā’nä)

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