Cook Pine

Cook pine is a tall evergreen conifer native to New Caledonia, where it develops a narrow, columnar crown. Its horizontal branches form regular whorls, and small overlapping leaves create dense, cordlike sprays along the branchlets. Kew accepts *Araucaria columnaris* and records its native range in southeastern New Caledonia, while Singapore’s NParks profile describes the species’ distinctive leaning habit ([Kew](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/261688-1), [NParks](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/7/2721)). ## Form and Placement This is a large specimen tree for a spacious park, estate, or coastal garden. NParks lists a mature height of 25–30 m, and the Botanical Garden of Palermo measured one established specimen at 37.62 m, illustrating the scale it can reach. Its upright outline and dense green foliage create a strong vertical feature, while the trunk may lean as the tree matures ([Botanical Garden of Palermo](https://www.musei.unipa.it/en/cooks-pine)). ## Growing Conditions Choose full sun and well-drained soil. NParks lists moderate water needs, loamy-soil tolerance, and coastal suitability, including tolerance of saline soil and salt spray. The evergreen crown and structured branching suit a prominent site where the tree has space to develop. ## Maintenance NParks rates Cook pine as low maintenance. Allow the crown and trunk to develop naturally, and leave room for the mature height and characteristic lean. Use moderate watering and keep the root zone draining freely; remove damaged branches when necessary.