The Monkey Puzzle Tree, Araucaria araucana, is an ancient conifer, tracing its lineage back to the time of dinosaurs. This evergreen tree features thick, leathery, and spiky triangular leaves arranged in a spiral pattern along its branches. Mature trees can grow to impressive heights of up to 50 meters, often developing a stout trunk that broadens at the base, sometimes resembling an elephant’s foot. The tree’s common name, “Monkey Puzzle,” originated in the mid-19th century from a remark suggesting it would “puzzle a monkey to climb” its prickly branches. Native to the Andes Mountains in central and southern Chile and western Argentina, it holds cultural significance as the national tree of Chile.
The Current Numbers
The Monkey Puzzle Tree is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, a status it received in 2013. This classification reflects a continuing decline in its wild populations across its native range. The species has an estimated area of occupancy (AOO) of approximately 392.51 square kilometers, indicating a relatively small and fragmented distribution. Within the Andes and the Coastal Cordillera of Chile, the population is particularly fragmented, making individual stands more vulnerable to various pressures. The overall area occupied by the species does not exceed 450,000 hectares, with about 75% found in Chile and the remainder in Argentina.
Why Their Numbers are Dwindling
The decline in Monkey Puzzle Tree populations stems from a combination of human activities and environmental factors. Illegal logging remains a significant threat, despite legal protections. The slow growth rate of these trees makes it difficult for populations to recover from such harvesting. Forest fires, both natural and human-caused, also contribute to habitat loss; for example, 20,000 hectares of native Araucaria forest burned between 2001 and 2002, and over 6,000 hectares in 2014.
Habitat destruction and conversion for agriculture, livestock grazing, and the expansion of exotic tree plantations further diminish the tree’s natural range. Overgrazing by livestock and introduced seed-eating animals impacts natural regeneration by consuming seeds. Climate change, particularly through increased extreme drought and heat, affects both tree survival and regeneration.
Protecting the Future
Various conservation initiatives are underway to safeguard the Monkey Puzzle Tree. Many remaining stands are protected within national parks and reserves in Chile and Argentina, including Lanín National Park and Conguillío National Park. Chile declared the Monkey Puzzle Tree a “natural monument” in 1976, providing legal protection against logging. Its listing under CITES Appendix I strictly regulates the international trade of its timber and seeds.
Reforestation programs are also active, with projects like the Global Trees Campaign planting thousands of seedlings with high survival rates. The Villa Las Araucarias forest restoration project in Chile focuses on rehabilitating degraded sites. Local communities, particularly the indigenous Mapuche people, play a significant role in conservation efforts, working to replant and protect these culturally important trees. Ongoing research helps inform these efforts, while botanic gardens worldwide maintain ex-situ collections to preserve genetic diversity.