The Monkey Puzzle tree is a truly extraordinary evergreen, immediately recognizable for its striking and unusual appearance. The bark on the stem is grey, maturing into deep, heavily wrinkled ridges reminiscent of a gigantic elephant’s foot. Its branches are completely covered with dense, hard, sharply pointed overlapping scales, giving the foliage a bold, architectural texture.

There is tremendous scope for using Monkey Puzzle as a single specimen, a focal point, or as part of a small group. Its dramatic, sculptural form adds an exotic, almost surreal quality to gardens and parks, making it a standout feature in any landscape.

Native to the high forests of Chile and Argentina, the Monkey Puzzle—also known as the Chile Pine—was introduced to Britain soon after 1795 when Archibald Menzies planted seeds on board a ship returning from Chile. It was re-introduced on a larger scale in 1844 and quickly became a hallmark of Victorian gardens. Today, while the tree is extinct in many of the areas where its seeds were originally collected, Britain now supports some of the greatest genetic diversity of this species outside its native range.

The Monkey Puzzle is dioecious, with male and female cones appearing on separate trees. Female cones are large, globular, and can reach up to 25 cm in diameter, containing edible seeds called “piñones,” while male cones are smaller and cylindrical. Flowering is rare in the UK and may take decades to occur, but when cones appear, they add an additional layer of interest to this remarkable tree.

Slow-growing but exceptionally long-lived, the Monkey Puzzle can eventually reach 20–30 m in height. It thrives in full sun with well-drained soil, is hardy in temperate climates, and becomes drought-tolerant once established. In its native range, the seeds provide food for wildlife. While primarily ornamental in the UK, planting Monkey Puzzle contributes to conserving this iconic species and its genetic diversity.

A living piece of horticultural history, the Monkey Puzzle combines resilience, exotic beauty, and architectural impact. Ideal for gardeners seeking a rare, long-lived, and dramatic focal point, it truly is unlike any other tree in Britain.

After planting, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged for the first year or two, watering deeply during dry spells. Add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture, keeping it slightly away from the trunk. Feeding is rarely needed, though a light spring fertiliser can help on poor soils. Keep the base weed-free and stake young trees if the site is windy.

Prune only dead or damaged lower branches, as the tree naturally forms its distinctive shape. Protect young plants from harsh winds and frost, and avoid damaging the bark. Once established, the Monkey Puzzle needs very little care and becomes a long-lived, low-maintenance feature.

Within 24 hours of placing your order, we will contact you to confirm an exact delivery date. Most orders are delivered within 5 working days. Your plants will be freshly lifted and packaged the day before dispatch to ensure they arrive in the best possible condition.

If you have a preferred delivery date please use the comments box and we will try our best to accommodate this (not available at weekends).

Although items can remain in their packaging for 7–10 days if kept frost-free, we recommend planting bareroot trees as soon as possible after delivery.

We use a courier service, and a signature is required on delivery unless you specify a safe place in the comments box when placing your order.

Small Orders (UK Mainland Only)

Orders of 1–15 plants in size 40/60cm can often be sent via Royal Mail for £8.90.

Please note: Your basket will initially show a delivery charge of £15.75 + VAT, but if you request Royal Mail delivery in the comments box, we will adjust the payment for you once we receive the order.

England and Wales Standard Delivery Charges

Mainland Scotland Standard Delivery Charges

Click and Collect

Click and collect available free of charge from: Tree Shop Ltd., Harts Barn, Monmouth Road, Longhope, GL17 0QD, UK