What is another name for a Norfolk Island pine?
Araucaria heterophylla (ar-ah-kar-ee-uh het-er-oh-fil- uh) common name(s): australian pine; house pine; living christmas tree; norfolk island pine; norfolk-island-pine ; norfolk pine; polynesian pine; star pine; triangle tree previously known as: araucaria excelsa. That is not likely to happen in your living room, however! Under good condition indoors, a norfolk island pine will grow to 5 to 8 feet tall in about 10 years. I’ve had my little tree just over a year (yes, it was a holiday gift), and it’s about 3 feet tall, having added at least 6 inches in height in the past year.The Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is another option for having a live Christmas tree during the holiday season. This tree is quite different from a typical pine in the Iowa landscape. It is a tropical plant, and must remain indoors during the winter months.Apply a balanced (20-20-20) liquid fertilizer to Norfolk Island Pine every two (2) weeks during the growing peri- od. In the summer, especially if grown outdoors, feed plants with an acid fertilizer such as rhododendron food as the high nitrogen concentration stimulates better foliage growth.If you notice your Norfolk Island Pine is growing too large for its space, hold off on pruning until it’s as tall as you want. Pruning the top will encourage it to grow wider rather than taller.Keep the Norfolk Island pine in a cool location (50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit). They can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees and will summer successfully outdoors in our area (out of the direct afternoon sun).
What is Norfolk Island pine used for?
In addition to being used as an ornamental plant, their wood is used for construction, woodturning, and crafts. As houseplants, Norfolk Island pines grow slowly, about 3 to 6 inches a year and they typically will reach heights of 6 to 8 feet, although they can grow taller. In their native habitat, the trees grow on cliffs and can get up to 200 feet tall. That is not likely to happen in your living room, however! Under good condition indoors, a Norfolk Island pine will grow to 5 to 8 feet tall in about 10 years.The Norfolk Island pine grows best in temperatures between 60º and 70º F during the day and 50º to 65º F at night. Reduce the temperature to the lower end of this range in winter so that the plant experiences a rest, around 55 to 60º F.Norfolk Island Pines love bright, indirect light. Place your plant near a sunny window, but make sure it doesn’t sit in the direct sun all day. Too much sunlight can cause the needles to brown, while too little light can make the plant grow leggy (stretched out) as it searches for the sun.Position the Norfolk Island Pine in an open, bright location, but not in full sun. It’s tolerant of low light, and will thrive in locations where many foliage plants requiring more light would not grow satisfactorily. Natural light may be supplemented by either fluorescent or incandescent sources.Keep your Norfolk Pine in good shape Be sure to only trim around the base of the plant, not the top, because this evergreen doesn’t branch like other plants. A little pruning will encourage it to grow fuller and bushier, just don’t remove too much foliage at one time.
Is Norfolk Island pine good timber?
Timber utilisation While it is not naturally durable Norfolk pine is easily treated for all Hazard Class applications. Treated, it can be widely used in construction. Untreated sapwood is susceptible to borer so for use in furniture, mouldings, trim and panelling boron treatment to H1. Red pine, Scots pine, and most Southern pines like loblolly or longleaf are all fine too. Just be careful not to grab anything that isn’t a true pine. Yews and Norfolk Island pines might look similar, but they’re toxic. Nancy Kay Roberts Ive used lodgepole for years just boil it good.Generally, Norfolk Island Pines ideal temperatures are on the cooler side, between 50°F and 60°F. They can even tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F and can thrive outdoors in Maine summers placed out of direct sunlight. Light: o Norfolk Island Pines prefer bright indirect light.Cautions: Some pines are toxic and should not be used. Pines such as Ponderosa pine, Lodgepole pine, Norfolk Island Pine, and Yews should not be used. Always be sure you can positively identify a wild food source. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid pine needle tea, to be safe.Norfolk Island pines are capable of growing both indoors and outdoors. While they have preferred growing conditions, they are quite forgiving and can thrive in a variety of settings.
What is the lifespan of a Norfolk Island pine?
When grown indoors, a Norfolk Island pine has a lifespan of several decades. If the tree is planted outside, it has a lifespan of more than 150 years. Though not true pines, they’re part of a plant family that dates back to prehistoric times. In modern home landscapes, where frost-free climates or protected locations allow, Norfolks are known to live 150 years or more.Unlike many trees in the pine family (Pinus spp. For most of us, except those in zones 10 to 11, Norfolk pines are grown as houseplants. They will not survive outdoors during the winter.Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. A tropical plant, the Norfolk Island Pine’s potting mix can be kept semi-moist, but not wet, which will lead to root rot. Expect to water more often when your Norfolk is in brighter light and less often in lower light.Norfolk Island Pines and Cook Pines are hard to tell apart as they are closely related species. Both species also change characteristics considerably from infancy to adulthood making identification harder.Norfolk Pines can live for over 150 years in ideal outdoor conditions. They develop into tall, long-lived trees in their natural habitat or well-maintained landscapes. Indoors, their lifespan is usually shorter, typically between 10 and 25 years, depending on care, light, and environmental factors.
Can I put my Norfolk Island pine outside?
The Norfolk Island Pine can be grown outdoors during the summer in most growing zones; however, once the temperature drops below 50 degrees, this tropical plant should be brought indoors. Since it is a native plant to the South Pacific, it does not tolerate cooler temperatures. Norfolk Island Pine can also be used as an indoor plant and is often seen as a Christmas tree. Prune to central trunk otherwise little pruning is required. Supplemental irrigation to establish trees is essential. Roots are surface orientated and can lift hard surfaces.You can buy Norfolk Island Pines in several pot sizes — from those that fit nicely on a table top to larger plants that could sit on the floor. These plants are slow growing, so your plant won’t overgrow its space. But if the plant is happy, it will grow 6 feet tall or more.That is not likely to happen in your living room, however! Under good condition indoors, a Norfolk Island pine will grow to 5 to 8 feet tall in about 10 years. I’ve had my little tree just over a year (yes, it was a holiday gift), and it’s about 3 feet tall, having added at least 6 inches in height in the past year.Keep your Norfolk Pine in good shape Be sure to only trim around the base of the plant, not the top, because this evergreen doesn’t branch like other plants. A little pruning will encourage it to grow fuller and bushier, just don’t remove too much foliage at one time.