Identity
Category :
Arbre remarquable
Latin name :
Araucaria araucana
French name :
Araucaria du Chili
Dutch name :
Slangenden, Apenboom
English name :
Monkey puzzle tree
Family :
Auraucariaceae
Height :
20 m (estimated)
Targeted height :
This species can grow up to 15–20 m in this region, and up to 35 m in its native region
Diameter of the crown :
12 m
Trunk circumference :
165 cm
Expected circumference :
/
Expected longevity :
Can live up to 800 years, sometimes more
Origin / Indigenous
Chile, Argentina, Andes Cordillera
Favorite soil :
Deep, well-draining
Favorite climate
Likes fog and mountains
Usefulness and services of the tree :
Enhances the landscape :
+++
Enhances the biodiversity :
++
Provide oxygen :
+
Purify the air :
+
Filter the water :
Prevents flooding :
Stores carbon :
+
Softens the climate :
+
Limits soil erosion :
Does good, heals :
++
Collection of the Belgian State, permanent loan to the Meise Botanic Garden : Antoine, Die Coniferen, pl. 48, 1840
Features and characters of the individual
Here is a set of exotic trees that were planted at the beginning of the 20th century, probably at the time that the avenue and Bois de la Cambre were developed. At that time, this and other species were imported to enrich the arboretum collection (botanical collection of trees). Different generations of trees now rub shoulders here, as weaker trees were slowly replaced to maintain the landscape effect of this beautiful group of trees. The crowns of mature monkey puzzle trees sit very high up. If you pass by, you will be able to see the bare trunks of the oldest trees and also the branches and needles of the youngest ones that are still lower down.
