Monkey Puzzle Tree

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swamptreenelly Newark, CA Jun 15, 2007

http://www.fremontica.com/roadside/usermap3.php?tree_map=1&asset_n=69

I'm puzzled by some Monkey Puzzle trees dying in an irrigated lawn but not in an unirrigated area. Would you think their roots get soured from too much irrigation?

Thanks

Nelson

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bettydee La Grange, TX(Zone 8b) Jun 15, 2007

I'm surprised that they grow in Fremont. Santa Cruz has quite a number of specimen trees, but Santa Cruz has an oceanic climate that Fremont lacks.

According to the Wikipedia, the Monkey Puzzle tree needs an abundant amount of water, but good drainage. Trees planted in a lawn usually don't get watered thoroughly. The water they do get encouages shallow roots that dry out quickly. It is possible that those growing away from the lawn get more water and have less competition for that water. Since these trees require good drainage. I would think that having grass growing over the roots would cut the amount of oxygen levels available to the trees.

What do you mean by "soured"? I've not heard that term used before.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araucaria_araucana
http://www.floridata.com/ref/a/arau_ara.cfm


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growin Beautiful, BC(Zone 8b) Jun 15, 2007

The part about good drainage is important upon planting a Monkey Puzzle Tree. They can't sit in boggy soil. They also can't be too dry or hot in the summer. Cool & humid are the key environmental requirements for a nice looking tree. The other part of your observation that may make a difference is that female trees often lose their lower branches whereas males are not as prone to lower limb die-back. They also don't respond too well to root disturbance. Maybe the maintenance people used "Weed & Feed" without thinking. Here is some good images and information (although in Spanish) of Araucaria araucana in its native range: http://www.chilebosque.cl/tree/aarau.html

A Monkey Puzzle Tree will often show signs of stress many months or years after an event has taken place. This winter, in many areas of the West Coast, experience severe winds and temperature fluctuations. The exposure of the trees may very well have been a factor.

Post #3619001
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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Jun 15, 2007

Quoting:
Would you think their roots get soured from too much irrigation?

Quite possible, and/or also the increased risk of Phytophthora root disease in the wet soil.

Resin

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