Monkey trees

Mike- These are true zone 7 trees. Beautiful things, but too tender for most areas here in S. Ontario. The only ones in my region that I know of are in the narrow band of zone 7 along the south shore of Lake Ontario (aka the Niagara region), but even there they get some burn.

So, to answer your questions: No, I do not grow a Monkey puzzle, but yes I have some good ideas about their hardiness!

You should get one. They are very slow growing.

They are fairly common where I grew up in Oregon (zone eight ) but I have not seen any around Tulsa.
Yes, they look really cool. --Erik

Love Monkey puzzle trees,unfortunately too difficult for me/monkeys.

I have seen them rated z4-z9.......or too -4F

I have a hard time believing they would survive much beyond z7.

I have been seeing two of them growing starting in the year 2005 in my zone 6a... So slow, some burn but still alive. Pictures took at the spot I mentioned on some day of October 2010.

Very Cool! Thanks everyone, they are such odd looking trees. I just found out they are relatives of the wollemi pine. I'm getting one!!!!
A lot of people have them in Wildwood and Cape May along the south tip of NJ where we have our little beach bungalow...Much milder there.
Enjoy the holiday weekend everyone!

Mike

Mike, it should be fine! Wrap it with a burlap for a winter time.

Great pics everyone!

Mike, apparently there are a few MP trees growing in Nova Scotia, in some 6b and 7a areas. I've got a bunch of seedlings, so I'll be keeping a few for myself to try out 😆

Cameron- There was one in Halifax by the water that lasted for some ~10 years before the cold finally killed it outright (1960's-70's? John W. would know more). There is (was?) one other down near Pubnico (Sw corner of the province) in a solid zone 7 that got to 12 feet or so. I've not seen a picture of it for perhaps 5 years now, and last report I heard said it had been killed over the winter of 2007 (or so), but have not had that claim substantiated.

I also know of one that grows with protection near Liverpool, NS. If I recall correctly it was wrapped with frost cloth and had browning of the branches most winters. Liverpool would be, IMO, a zone 5, so not ideal for growing MP!

Thanks for posting this-I know who to blame now for my buying one! 😉 8)

Paul, thanks for the info. I've heard that there's also a 5 foot tree somewhere near Bridgewater, possibly one in Digby, and a few other trees around Liverpool. Apparently a place called Cosby's sold them there.

Ok So I just ran the idea of a monkey tree by my other half and was quickly told that I am a monkey tree! Now, I'm really buying one and QUICKLY!!! 👿

😆

Mike you don't look anything like a monkey tree.

Mrs T should know... :toothy7: