The bark on the stem of the Monkey Puzzle is grey and becomes heavily wrinkled like a gigantic elephant’s foot. The evergreen foliage covers the branches entirely. It consists of hard viciously sharp pointed overlapping scales.

In the landscape there is tremendous scope to use monkey puzzle as a single specimen or as a small group. The end result is very exotic, sometimes quite unreal. From the high forests of South America this tree, also known as Chile pine, is like no other in Britain.

It was introduced soon after 1795. Archibald Menzies planted seeds on board a ship returning to Britain from Chile. Monkey puzzle was re-introduced on a larger scale in 1844 after which time it became an essential part of every respectable Victorian garden.

The tree is extinct in most of the areas where seeds were first collected. It is thought that there is more genetic diversity in Britain now than in South America.

All our stock is “lifted” to order, which means that they are “lifted” and packed the same day and sent off so delivery is made the following day hence you receive them as fresh as possible. They are well packed and they are able to stay in the bags they arrive in for up to 7/10 days out of any frosts but it is advisable to plant bareroot trees as soon as possible. We are able to give you a suitable delivery date after the order has been placed when we email your order of acknowledgement to you. Unlike other nurseries who usually say within 3-5 days we can give you a definite day.

As soon as we receive your order we can usually send these out within the week. We use a courier and a signature will be required UNLESS you inform us (in the comments box) of where you would like your goods left safely should you not be at home. It is possible to select a day (apart from week-ends and Fridays) when ordering.

Delivery Charges

We will send you a delivery date via email when we receive your order.

Very SMALL ORDERS between quantities of 1-15 in size 40/60 can usually be sent out via ROYAL MAIL (UK mainland only) for as little as £8.00. Your basket will still show £15.00 plus vat for delivery charge BUT if you put in the COMMENTS BOX that you wish delivery by ROYAL MAIL we can pick this up and change the payment when the order is submitted . All other order are priced as:

• Orders up to £75 – delivery £15 plus vat
• £76 – £200 – delivery £22 plus vat
• £201 – £300 – delivery £30 plus vat
• £301 – £500 – delivery £40 plus vat
• £501 – £1000 – delivery £45 plus vat
• £1001 plus – delivery £50 plus vat

Scotland Grampians/Highlands do carry an extra delivery charge according to our couriers – we can advise on this extra charge.

Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Northern and Southern Ireland. It is possible for us to arrange delivery to these areas but we would have to arrange the cost with our couriers so please contact our office 01452 832100.