Monkey Puzzle Trees for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on December 2, 2021

Planting instructions

To grow a monkey puzzle tree successfully, you will need a warm climate and an area with ample sunlight. Typically, these trees will survive as far north as USDA hardiness zone 7. Their warmest growing USDA hardiness zone is 10. If you are in such an area, you will also want to ensure that the soil in which you plant your monkey puzzle tree is rich in organic matter. Other than that, you’ll have some leeway regarding the soil as this species can live in clay, sand, or rocky conditions. The monkey puzzle tree thrives in soils at nearly any pH level.

Watering and nutrients

During the first growing season, it is necessary for you to water your monkey puzzle tree once per week or once every two weeks. This watering will help to establish the tree. After establishment, you can reduce your watering schedule drastically. All you will need to do is notice when the top three inches of the soil around your monkey puzzle tree become dry. When that occurs, it is time to supply water.

In some instances, a monkey puzzle tree may need little to no fertilization at all. This fact is a testament to the ease with which you can raise one of these plants. If you do choose to fertilize, simply use a standard all-purpose fertilizer.

Pollination

The most important fact to know about monkey puzzle tree pollination is that these trees usually grow as either a male or a female version. That means that you will need to plant both varieties if you hope to see your monkey puzzle trees produce fruit. On a rare occasion, you will find a monkey puzzle tree that has both male and female parts. This can make the pollination process much easier.

Pruning

Monkey puzzle trees can grow well with minimal pruning. If you choose to perform some pruning on your tree, you should focus on removing dead or broken branches. Other than that, the only other reason you would prune one of these trees is to achieve a particular shape. Since these trees can grow exceptionally tall, gardeners often prune the lower branches. No matter what your pruning goals are, your pruning should take place in early spring.

Pests, diseases, and animals

Monkey puzzle trees are easy to care for overall, but that does not mean that they are completely impervious to pests and diseases. Most issues arise when a monkey puzzle tree grows in soil that is excessively wet. This can lead to fungal diseases or canker. Monkey puzzle trees can also serve as hosts to mealybugs and spider mites. However, if you manage to provide the ideal growing conditions for this species, it will typically live a pest and disease-free life.

Harvesting

It can take multiple decades for a monkey puzzle tree to reach sexual maturity. But when it does, it will begin to produce edible, nut-like seeds that are similar to pine nuts. To produce those fruits, you will need both a male and female version of the monkey puzzle tree. Occasionally, a monkey puzzle tree will grow as a hermaphrodite, which simplifies the fruit-producing process. Once your monkey tree is old enough, its fruits will emerge in mid to late summer.

Achieving maximum results

Many people feel drawn to monkey puzzle trees because of their distinct appearance. What they often fail to recognize is that these trees can grow to be very large. At maturity, they may be more than one hundred feet tall. So, it is important to give your monkey puzzle trees plenty of space to grow and expand during your planting stage.

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