The Norfolk Island Pine Tree

The Norfolk Island pine is a cone bearing evergreen tree from the tropics, botanically known as Araucaria heterophylla and is really not a pine. The pines we normally grow outdoors, or use as cut Christmas trees, belong to the plant genus Pinus. In tropical climates, the Norfolk Island pine becomes a majestic tree, growing up to as much as 200 feet. It is also cut as a Christmas tree, as well as for its timber, in its native habitat. It is not able to endure freezing, so it can not be grown outdoors in cold areas. It must be restricted to the home or greenhouse. Outdoors in its native climate it may grow as much as five feet a year but as a potted plant it grows much more slowly.

As a houseplant, the Norfolk Island pine is quite well adapted. It requires good light, but does not need direct sunlight. Bright sunlight is not harmful and in warm climates the trees may be found growing in full sunlight. When light is not adequate plants often fail to produce new growth from the central leader, and lower branches may drop off. Side branches may continue to grow, but become thin, giving the plant a weeping appearance. As the branches spread and the tip fails to grow in poor light the natural symmetry of the plant ft lost.

Although not a common houseplant, another plant sometimes sold already decorated as a small Christmas tree is the Italian stone pine, Pinus Pinea. This is a true pine, but one not able to survive freezing temperatures. It apparently evolved in the mild Mediterranean climate of southern Europe or Turkey. It develops into a broad flat-topped tree outdoors but as a small plant it looks little like its mature form. As a young plant in a container the needles are silvery green and short, growing only about an inch long.

As a plant outdoors in its native climate needles will be longer and in a mature form may be as much as eight inches in length. As a house plant this plant tolerates heat well, but needs more light than the Norfolk Island pine. Like so many other plants of Mediterranean origin, it needs a soil with perfect drainage and should dry to some extent between watering. Overwatering can be harmful. Norfolk Island pine, on the other hand, prefers a relatively uniform soil moisture.

Another houseplant that may sometimes be used for a small holiday tree is Podocarpus. This plant is sometimes called Buddhist pine and is native to China and Japan. The species most frequently available is also grown outdoors in the southern United States, and is sometimes known as southern yew. As a houseplant it is a durable plant, preferring cool house temperatures, bright light and uniform soil moisture.

When decorating any of these tropical plants use small lights rather than larger hot lights, or do not use lights at all to prevent heat damage. Heavy ornaments should also be avoided since they can weigh down branches which may not be able to pull back into their original position. With or without glittering ornaments, these plants are all worthy additions to the home decorations at any time of year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Island_Pine