What is the lowest temperature a Norfolk pine can tolerate?
What temperatures can a Norfolk pine tolerate? Norfolk Island Pine will tolerate a wide temperature range. High temperatures (95° to 105°F) have been observed to cause noticeable tip damage if accompanied by dry winds and clear skies, whereas low temperatures (30° to 32°F) can cause growing point abortion.
Can a Norfolk pine survive outside?
Norfolk Island pines are tropical plants, so they can only be planted outside in tropical climates. In areas of the world where winters are cool (below 35 F or 2 C) or the air is dry, a Norfolk Island pine won't survive. If you ever get near freezing temperatures where you live, then you're best to leave the tree as a potted plant.
Why is Norfolk pine turning yellow?
Your Norfolk pine's leaves may be turning yellow or brown because it's struggling to cope with the current temperature. As their name implies, Norfolk Island pines are native to Norfolk Island in the South Pacific, where the weather averages between 55 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
How to fix your Norfolk pine problems?
What to Do if Your Norfolk Pine Starts Turning Brown
- Temperature and Timing. In any hardiness zone, serve as valued houseplants as well. ...
- Light and Relocations. Norfolk Island pines prefer full sun, but they tolerate partial shade. ...
- Soil and Moisture. ...
- Norfolk Needle Blight. ...
- Needle-Browning Pests. ...
Are Norfolk pines native to Australia?
As its vernacular name Norfolk Island pine (or Norfolk pine) implies, the tree is endemic to Norfolk Island, an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia.
Do Norfolk pines come from Norfolk Island?
Norfolk Island pines are native to Norfolk Island (it is featured on their flag) as well as nearby Nepean and Phillip Islands, which are located in the South Pacific between Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia.
Is the Norfolk pine native to Hawaii?
This tree is present on all islands, commonly known as “Norfolk-Island-pine” in Hawaii (see below). It may be seen above St. Louis Heights in Honolulu, at Schofield Barracks, and in Waiahole Valley on Oahu, at Lanai City, at Mahinahina near Lahaina, Maui, and at many other locations.
Is Norfolk Island pine native to Florida?
Not a true pine, Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is a beautiful evergreen tree named for its native home of Norfolk Island off the coast of Australia. It's hardy outdoors in places like south Florida where it doesn't freeze in winter, but most of us grow it as a houseplant.
Is Norfolk Island pine a real pine?
Norfolk Island pines are not true pines; they are members of a pre-historic family of conifers Araucariaceae, an incredibly diverse and widespread plant family during the Jurassic and Cretaceous time periods.
Are Norfolk pines protected in Australia?
This species is labeled as “vulnerable” and is a threatened species in its native island of Norfolk Island due to heavy harvesting in the past few hundred years. Protective measures have been taken to protect what's left of this tree in its endemic homeland.
How did pine trees get to Hawaii?
Pine Comes to Hawaii Five different types of pine trees grow in Hawaii, all introduced from North America. Some have done remarkably well in the warm climate, like slash pine (Pinus elliottii). This stately conifer was brought into the 50th state to combat erosion and for use as lumber.
Why did they plant Norfolk pines?
In Forest Flora of New South Wales Joseph Maiden wrote: "Norfolk Island Pine is recommended as the main timber tree for the New South Wales coast for the following reasons: it revels in the sea air; its narrow leaves and conical shape present comparatively little resistance to strong winds; it is ornamental in ...
What is the difference between a Norfolk pine and a Norfolk Island pine?
When the trees are young it is nearly impossible to tell them apart. As they get older, though, the Norfolk Island pine tends to be wider and be more pyramid-shaped than rocket-shaped, its side branches being longer. Female cones are rounder and usually broader than they are long.
How long do Norfolk pines live?
150 yearsThough 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.
Is Norfolk Pine edible?
Botanists now say that was misapplied and the Norfolk Island Pine is actually Araucaria columnaris. It's seeds are still edible. The Araucaria angustifolia also has edible seeds. The Hairy Cowpea has well-known relatives.
Where do Norfolk pines grow best?
A: A tropical tree, Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) doesn't like frosty weather, and can't be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zone 9 or colder. They're best suited to subtropical areas, such as South Florida and Hawaii.
What is a Norfolk Island pine?
The small, potted plants that we know as Norfolk Island pines, originated on an uninhabited island near Australia, named by Captain James Cook in 1774. Impressively large "pines" on the island reaching 200 feet in height seemed like a promising choice for ship masts, but they proved too brittle.
Cultural Requirements
Norfolk Island pines naturally grow on seaside cliffs and interior rainforests in the temperate South Pacific. This gives us clues as to what kind of environment is favorable for them in the home.
Problems with Norfolk Island Pines
Norfolk Island pines are not especially plagued by pests but may become unsightly for other reasons. I have had issues with Norfolk Island pines developing a permanent bend in the trunk; this can be avoided by rotating the plant weekly. Browning and dropping lower branches are also common problems.
Pruning
Pruning a Norfolk Island pine is generally not recommended. You may cut off dead branches or tips of branches to tidy up the tree’s appearance, but pruning will not result in a flush of new growth, as you may have experienced with deciduous plants.
Can I decorate my Norfolk Island pine?
Yes! You may have bought or received the plant decorated for the winter holidays. Since the branches are soft, use lightweight ornaments. If you decorate with lights, use a string of LEDs, which will not give off heat.
What pests are on Norfolk Island Pines?
Norfolk Island Pines are vulnerable to pests including aphids, mealybugs, scale, and whitefly. If possible, identify the infestation as early as possible and treat it with the least toxic option.
Is Norfolk Pine toxic to dogs?
Norfolk pine is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. If pets ingest the needles, they might experience stomach and mouth irritation along with vomiting. Norfolk Island pine is not known to be toxic to human beings.
Is a Norfolk Island pine a gymnosperm?
The Norfolk Island pine is a gymnosperm, meaning that a single plant contains male and female reproductive organs. Virtually all Norfolk Island pines are grown from seeds that are usually imported from the Pacific region. Most home growers will never bother with seeds or propagation.
Do Norfolk Island pines need water?
Water. Norfolk Island pines are somewhat drought-tolerant, so they forgiving where water is concerned. It's advisable to let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Keep an eye on the needles: if the needles turn yellow, the plant needs more water.
What does a Norfolk Island pine look like?
This mature Norfolk Island pine in a New Zealand park is so tall, the people standing next to tree look like ants. While not true pines, their tiered branches, slender pyramidal or columnar shape, and narrow evergreen leaves appear pine-like. Norfolk Island pines have a single upright trunk and occasionally develop a graceful lean.
How tall are Norfolk Island pines?
While sold here in the states as tabletop Christmas trees, in their native habitat these plants can incredibly reach 200 feet tall and have trunks that swell to 10 feet in diameter! In Florida these trees typically grow to only 60 to 80 feet.
Can you overwater a Norfolk Island pine plant?
Over watering is not the answer ; Norfolk Island pines don't appreciate being too wet. Instead, fill a saucer with water and rocks or gravel, then place the potted plant on top making sure the pot is not sitting directly in water.
Do Norfolk Island pines tolerate salt?
Naturally found in coastal areas, it is no surprise that these plants have a high salt tolerance.
How tall do Norfolk Island pines grow?
A: Outdoors in the tropics, Norfolk Island pines can grow more than 200 feet (61 meters) tall in time. Happily, if you grow one indoors as a houseplant, you don’t need to worry about it busting through the ceiling anytime soon. Inside, they’re not particularly fast growers.
Why do pine trees drop branches?
They’re not particularly fussy or temperamental, but Norfolk Island pines will drop their lower branches if they get dried out too much or are grown in a spot that doesn’t have enough light to support them . Some folks like to grow Norfolk Island pines outdoors in a shaded or partly shaded spot for the summer.
Can Norfolk Island Pine grow outdoors?
A: A tropical tree, Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) doesn’t like frosty weather, and can’t be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zone 9 or colder. They’re best suited to subtropical areas, such as South Florida and Hawaii.
Do pine trees remove VOCs?
Scientific research by NASA showed that Norfolk Island pines can remove harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from the air, purifying it and making it safer for you and your family to breathe.
Plant Care
When it comes to light, your Norfolk pine loves it. It will thrive in full sun or bright, indirect light. It can tolerate a bit of shade; it just won't be its full, perky self in those conditions.
Norfolk Pine Varieties
There's only one variety of Norfolk pine: Araucaria heterophylla. The look, feel, and smell of the Norfolk pine all belong to this one variety.
How to Propagate Norfolk Pine
Unlike some more popular indoor houseplants, a Norfolk pine can't be propagated by simply cutting a branch and placing it in a rooting hormone before displaying it in an adorable propagation station. Norfolk pines grow from seeds, so this likely won't be one you'll be propagating on your own.
Common Growing Problems
While some browning of the needles at the bottom of your tree is common, if the browning starts spreading throughout the whole tree, that's a sign something is wrong with your Norfolk pine. However, the problem might not be so easy to identify. Browning can mean your tree is underwatered, overwatered, or its environment isn't humid enough.
Where is the Norfolk Island Pine located?
The Norfolk Island pine is a type of coniferous tree that's native to Norfolk Island, which is located between Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Ocean. Although it's not a true pine tree, the Norfolk Island pine does look like one, and is often used as a Christmas tree. In the wild, these trees can grow to 200 feet (61 m).
How tall do Norfolk Island pines grow?
In the wild, these trees can grow to 200 feet (61 m). Norfolk Island pines also make great houseplants, and will grow to a height of 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.4 m) indoors. These trees are very drought resistant and don't need a lot of water to thrive. [1]
How much sunlight does a Norfolk Island pine tree need?
Make sure the tree gets lots of indirect sunlight. Norfolk Island pines need several hours of sunlight per day, but they do not like direct sunlight. A good location for this plant is in a room with lots of northeast- or northwest-facing windows.
Why do pine needles drop?
Both cold and hot drafts can cause the needles to drop, so pick a location for your Norfolk Island pine that's far from air intakes, fans, and heating and cooling vents. You should also keep the tree a safe distance from doors and windows that could let in drafts.
What is the humidity of a Norfolk Island pine tree?
In their natural habitat, Norfolk Island pines grow in a tropical location by the ocean, so they like moist air. The ideal humidity for these trees is 50 percent.
How to keep a Norfolk Island pine tree from lopsided?
Like a sunflower that turns to face the light, a Norfolk Island pine will grow or lean toward light sources. To prevent the tree from growing irregularly and becoming lopsided, turn the pot a quarter turn every week.
What temperature do trees like at night?
The perfect nighttime temperature is slightly cooler, around 55 F (13 C). While these trees do like cooler nighttime temperatures, they do not like sudden changes. A shady corner in a sunroom is a good spot for this type of tree, since the nighttime temperature will naturally drop when the sun goes down.
How tall are Norfolk Island pine trees?
They do come from Norfolk Island, however, in the South Seas, where they mature into straight, stately trees up to 200 feet (60 m.) tall. Norfolk Island pine trees are not very cold tolerant. They only thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones ...
How to propagate a Norfolk Island pine?
How to propagate Norfolk Island pines from seed? Propagating Norfolk pines at home starts with collecting the seeds when they mature in late summer or early autumn. You’ll need to break apart the tree’s spherical cone after they fall. Harvest the small seeds and plant them quickly to maximize viability.
Is Norfolk Island pine a fern?
Nor folk Island pines ( Araucaria heterophylla) are graceful, ferny, evergreen trees. Their beautiful symmetrical growth habit and tolerance of indoor environments make them popular indoor plants. In warm climates they also thrive outdoors. Propagating Norfolk pines from seeds is definitely the way to go.
What Is A Norfolk Island Pine?
- The small, potted plants that we know as Norfolk Island pines, originated on an uninhabited island near Australia, named by Captain James Cook in 1774. Impressively large "pines" on the island reaching 200 feet in height seemed like a promising choice for ship masts, but they proved too brittle. Not truly a pine (Pinus), the Norfolk Island pine’s b...
Cultural Requirements
- Norfolk Island pines naturally grow on seaside cliffs and interior rainforests in the temperate South Pacific. This gives us clues as to what kind of environment is favorable for them in the home.
Problems with Norfolk Island Pines
- Norfolk Island pines are not especially plagued by pests but may become unsightly for other reasons. I have had issues with Norfolk Island pines developing a permanent bend in the trunk; this can be avoided by rotating the plant weekly. Browning and dropping lower branches are also common problems. This may be caused by low humidity; regular watering can help stave this of…
Pruning
- Pruning a Norfolk Island pine is generally not recommended. You may cut off dead branches or tips of branches to tidy up the tree’s appearance, but pruning will not result in a flush of new growth, as you may have experienced with deciduous plants. Given the tree's propensity to grow to a great height in its natural environment, at some point you may find yourself wondering if ca…
Can I Decorate My Norfolk Island Pine?
- Yes! You may have bought or received the plant decorated for the winter holidays. Since the branches are soft, use lightweight ornaments. If you decorate with lights, use a string of LEDs, which will not give off heat.
Norfolk Island Pine Care
Types of Norfolk Island Pines
- There is only one variety on the market: Araucaria heterophylla. This plant does not have cultivars or named varieties. A few other species from this family sometimes show up in the trade, mislabeled as the original plant. These include A. columnaris, A. araucana, and A. bidwillii. It's unlikely you'll see these, but if you happen to acquire one, the cultural requirements are similar.
Pruning
- Remove lower branches that have died—a common issue with indoor specimens. It is usually not recommended to trim the top of the tree, but if a potted tree gets too large for its space, cut off the central leader. This will cause the tree to branch out from that point, and while the plant will lose the classic evergreen look, such trimming usually does not affect the health of the tree. Re…
Potting and Repotting Norfolk Island Pine
- A potted Norfolk Island pine only needs to be repotted when it's root-boundor the roots are beginning to come out of the drainage hole. Young Norfolk Island pines are not very fast growers, so it might be possible to repot your tree every other year instead of every year. As the plant matures, it will begin to grow faster. Repot your Norfolk Island pine in the springtime, and if your …
Overwintering
- Norfolk pines love the warm weather and can't tolerate temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. When it is faced with frost, the plant will begin to yellow and die. Bring a potted tree indoors if it's not already, and keep it away from drafts. Place it in a room with high humidity (difficult to do in a dry home during the winter) and full, bright sunlight. Water only when the surf…
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
- Norfolk Island Pines are vulnerable to pests including aphids, mealybugs, scale, mites, and whiteflies.1 If possible, identify the infestation as early as possible and treat it with the least toxic option. A Norfolk pine may also develop a fungal disease from overwatering, such as anthracnose, which can turn entire sections of the tree yellow, brown, and then cause the plant t…
Common Problems with Norfolk Island Pines
- This easy-going tree may encounter a few challenges in its life. The needles will turn different colors to alert you to a problem.