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Name That Plant!

Name of (evergreen?) tree

10 years ago

My sister has asked me for help identifying this tree which she passes on her way home. I believe it is evergreen, but I haven't really noticed this tree when I visit in the winter so can't be sure. I apologize that the photo is so backlit; I was just driving her home when she had me pull over the side of the road to take the picture. It has skinny branches with skinny needle-looking leaves, all green with no flowers.

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Comments (7)

alisonoz_gw
10 years ago
As you say, the photo isn't the best help.
The regular arrangement of branches makes me think of Norfolk Pine - araucaria heterophylla - but I don't know if that is likely in your zone.
missingtheobvious
10 years ago
If the "skinny needle-looking leaves" are flat scaley leaves, check Google images for monkey puzzle tree.

Where does your sister live?
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Any chance for pix of the back side of the needles in addition to the whole tree as Carol requested? I'm leaning toward a psycho Pseudotsuga of some sort...sorta. "But if it is growing in Pennsylvania, the likely candidate would be Abies balsamea." In the wild, perhaps, in the landscape, it could be whatever is hardy there. In my own landscape I have Abies concolor, alba, bornmuelleriana, koreana and lasciocarpa which are not likely to be seen in the wilds of Wisconsin...and the balsamea I have, being cultivars, bear little resemblance to those in the wild (although the buds and needles do). tj
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flora_uk
10 years ago
Yes, looks like Araucaria auracana, Monkey Puzzle, to me, but that does depend on the scale of the picture. How close up is it taken? They are very common here but I believe not hardy in much of N America.
flipchick
Original Author
10 years ago
My sister is in northwest Washington. The tree is tall, about 20 feet high. I looked up Monkey Puzzle, and the branches and leaves are the same, so it must be the one. This tree looks a bit anemic compared to pictures I've seen on the search results, but maybe that's because this tree is not well suited for the climate. Thank you all for your help!
carol23_gw
10 years ago
I've seen Monkey Puzzle growing in PA. It's a very sharp tree. Don't back into it!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
These trees are almost ideally suited to this climate - probably the closest to their native environment in this hemisphere! Monkey puzzles grow all over the Pacific Northwest - Washington, Oregon, British Columbia. In fact, some of the largest specimens in the continental US are located in the Seattle area, going on 100 years old.

Not only is the tree foliage sharp but the cones could wipe you out!! When mature, they are 8-10" long and weigh around 12-15 pounds. You don't wanna be standing underneath when one of those falls :-)
flipchick
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, gardengal48. I'll keep an eye out for more of these trees. I learn so much from this forum! :-)

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