Monkey puzzle tree

judithgrace

I bought my Monkey Puzzle Tree 32 years ago when it was about 18" high. It's now huge and has lived happily in the garden until now.  Over the last year it has turned brown with only the top remaining green. It lives in a shrubbery at the bottom of the garden. Do you think the tree is dying or can it be saved.

Pete.8

I photo would help Judith if you have one.
I can only speak from my own experience, and I find that by the time a tree starts going brown, it's sometimes dead already and it just takes time for it to become apparent.
The recent dry conditions here in the south-east over the last few years have led to quite a few tree and shrub deaths locally.
Not sure which part of the country you're in, but if it's been dry for the last few years that may be the cause.

Paul B3

It is fairly normal for a moderate aged conifer such as this to lose lower branches ; this is a process known as evanescence . Some species of coniferous trees , i.e. Sequoia and Wellingtonia  have evolved this strategy over time to negate the 'fire-ladder' scenario during conflagrations in their habitats .

Your Araucaria originates mainly from Chile , where often it is the dominant species ; imagine the effects of fire on isolated groves of these , catastrophic ! Nature has adapted accordingly .

PS :- They come from areas of high rainfall .