Norfolk Island Pine

The Norfolk Island Pine or Norfolk Pine Araucaria heterophylla (also known as Araucaria excelsa) is a distinctive conifer, a member of the ancient and now disjointly distributed family Araucariaceae.

As its name implies, the tree is endemic to Norfolk Island. However, its distinctive appearance, with widely spaced branches and a symmetrical, triangular outline, has made it a popular cultivated species, either as a single tree or in avenues. It is particularly widely planted in Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and California. Young trees are sometimes grown as houseplants in areas where the winters are too hard for them to grow outside (they will not, for example, flourish in the northern United States, but are sometimes used as Christmas trees there, as elsewhere). The timber is good for woodturning, and is extensively used by Hawaiian craftspeople.

Norfolk Island Pines grow well in deep sand, as long as they receive reliable water when young. This, and their tolerance for salt and wind, make them ideal for coastal situations. The trees grow to a height of 40 metres or more, with straight vertical trunks and symmetrical branches, even in the face of incessant onshore winds that can contort most other species.

Large numbers of Norfolk Island Pines are produced in South Florida for the houseplant industry. The bulk of these are shipped to grocery stores, discount retailers and garden centers during November. Many of these are sprayed with a light coating of green paint prior to shipping to increase their eye appeal.