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Family: Cupressaceae
Native to: Chile (coastal regions) and Argentina (moist Andean forests)
Dimensions: pyramidal tree to 100 - 200', but slow growing; a size of 15 - 25' may be expected in 20 years under optimal conditions.
Cold resistance: hardy to about 5°F
Drought resistance: not great; best with some irrigation
Key Features: fine foliage, interesting weeping habit, collector's item
Uses: slow-growing specimen tree for moist sheltered garden, takes sun or partial shade, formal gardens, deer resistant
Description:
If you're one of those people who wants plants to grow quickly to their mature size and then stop, this plant from central and southern Chile and Argentina is probably not for you. Described as the largest tree native to South America, mature trees have been compared to coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in its appearance and stature. Young trees, however, look nothing like redwood, since the foliage is fine-textured and branch tips weep softly. Most importantly (also unlike redwood), it is slow growing, so you can enjoy it in your garden for many years, or even decades, without it getting overwhelming. And who knows, in a couple thousand years you might have something 200' tall! It will grow in sun or part shade, and will appreciate average to good soil with mulch. I have heard of it tolerating temperatures below 0°F in Colorado, so it may be hardier than indicated; however, we do not recommend it for this climate generally.
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