With spiky, triangular leaves on long extended branches, the Monkey Puzzle tree does look like a barrel of monkeys has exploded to a 40-ft height. The trees are native to Chile and Argentina and were introduced to Europe and Ireland in the 1700s. They are dioecious, meaning male and female cones grow on separate trees. The large, globose cone indicates this is a female tree, while male tree cones are elongated or oval shaped. Sounds about right.

07.07.25