In this video is my four new Araucaria angustifolia saplings. A critically endangered species, it is a close relative of the more commonly grown monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), the Paraná pine is facing an uncertain future. Native to southern parts of Brazil (including the state of Paraná) and adjacent parts of Argentina and Paraguay, mature Paraná pines dominate araucaria forest. Since 1900, it is estimated that the total area of araucaria forest has declined by 97%.

The species is threatened by continued logging for building materials, land clearance and fuel wood and the seeds are also consumed on mass within Brazil; meaning tens of thousands of potential trees are eaten every year.

Despite being from a subtropical climate these trees are surprisingly cold hardy and have been grown successfully at oxford university and westonbirt arboretum in the UK (both surviving the 2010 big freeze) and at Augsburg botanical garden in munich.

I plan to grow my trees on and plant them together to create a breeding population here in Doncaster. You too can help stop extinction. Subscribe for more updates on these British Parana pines.

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