Norfolk Pine growing outside in the Sonoran Desert

11 years ago

I have read a LOT of different sites with experts claiming that Norfolk pines do not grow well outside in Arizona or the rest of the U.S. for that matter and will only do well as a potted plant inside of your house.

So, I wanted to throw this out there to see what kind of logic may ensue.

I bought 4 Norfolk Pines after Christmas at a Home Depot 4 years ago. I had no clue that these trees were nothing like any pine trees to be found in the States. I planted 3 of them in the direct sunlight, figuring they would love that and then another one in front of my house.

The 3 in direct sunlight eventually died out, as one would expect once you start learning about them. The 4th one, however, did not die. It does not get direct sunlight.

However, it has sustained summers that go above 110 degrees for days and weeks at a time. It is VERY dry here. The experts suggest that to survive, these trees must be in a humid area of at least 50% humidity. During the Monsoon season - which we are currently in - the humidity levels do go up, but still rarely even approach 50%.

This tree has also survived a moderate frost event. The ends of some of the branches died out - or so it appeared, only to find next summer that it started growing again beyond the dead spot and putting out new needles. The temperature the night that happened was somewhere around 25 degrees. I have a lot of plants on my property and some of them sustained heavy damage, but after 2 years they have all made a comeback, thankfully.

During the summer, I water this tree at least every other day, sometimes every day. Again, I have a lot of plants and trees on my property, I have to do a lot of watering to keep everything growing and alive. It is also planted right next to where my drain pipe comes out of the house for removing the condensation from the air conditioning, so in reality, this tree gets a LOT of water during the summer.

The question is, how is this tree surviving in an area where, allegedly, they cannot survive outside? I find it interesting that this thing is defying all odds, so to speak. It doesn't grow very fast, admittedly, but it is a beautiful little tree that adds to the appearance and ambiance of my front yard.

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teresa jeffrey

3 years ago

It is July 2020 now and I am nursing two of these beauties in my front yard. They are rescues from our local Home Depot in Southern Nevada; each marked down from $88 to $5. One is snapping out of it's effects from neglect and the other still in intensive care 💙 💙 Each one is planted in opposite corners with some shade during the day. I have followed some guidelines on soil and am keeping them watered-nearly done with both deep reservoirs. I am hoping to top off with equal 3 fertilizers along with the rest of our plants tomorrow. These were surprising gifts to our garden and I hope they thrive for much, much time to come.

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Comments (10)

Dzitmoidonc
11 years ago
Who ever told you they are difficult or don't grow in the U.S. has never been to Florida. South of the lake, they are so common as to be overused. They will survive a light frost, and with water, they will thrive. The thing about dry climate is their propensity to die from mites.
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
11 years ago
Did you make any effort to substantiate the labeling as "Norfolk Pines"? Around Christmas time I wouldn't trust the identification on the label of anything unless I were familiar with the plant myself. For example "Many of the "Norfolk Island pines" growing in Hawaii, including their descendants growing as potted ornamentals on the U.S. mainland, are actually Cook pines, the two species having been confused when introduced.".

"[Cook Pine] is cultivated in ... southern California, Mexico, and Hawaii."
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marijon_gardener
11 years ago
Hi. Just found your post. I live in San Rafael, Ca and have a norfolk pine in my garden......... 5 years now and it is beautiful although it has some yellowing I have not noticed before. I have never fertilized it, wonder If I should>
garyfla_gw
11 years ago
Hi
It is a member of the Aruaucaria family which pre date pine trees lol There are around 20 species . At one time they were the most common tree but are now limited to western pacific and s. america. They grow very well in s florida in fact to the point of being a weed.
they are freeze .low humidity and drought sensitive so you will have difficulty over the long term but then you probably have no desire to get it to the 200 foot level lol??
An interesting side note to the family is they appear to
have been the main diet of sauropod dinosaurs.lol
Good luck with it suspect that it will decline over time but if you religiously water it and no hard freezes?? gary
Brad K
3 years ago
Teresa, I’ve never seen one in the Las Vegas valley. I’ve always wanted one but figured it’s too cold in the winter and dry in the summer. Please post again with updates
HU-819875646
3 years ago
I live in Tucson, AZ. I received mine in 2015 as a houseplant gift. I just transplanted it for the 4th time. It has been in my outdoor partly shaded entry way all this time, same conditions described above.
Phoenix Rising (Zone 7a/b, NJ)
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Araucaria araucana (Monkey Puzzle) and Araucaria bidwillii may better long term in a very arid and hot climate, certainly Norfolk Island is probably most challenged (of these three species), by desert conditions. That would be my guess at least. Protected from the sun and irrigated, it's nice to know that it's possible.

P.S., Aren't tell prone to other issues in Florida? I think I recall reading something about lightning strikes.
Lynn An Patter
2 years ago
My Norfolk Island Pine has been replanted three times and continues to survive in the punishing heat of Phoenix, AZ. It sits in our front entryway under the patio cover. It gets morning sun only, and has survived just fine for over five years. It get waters nearly every night in the summer, but less often in the cooler months.
Henry Z6(OH Zone 6b)
3 months ago
My grandma’s neighborhood in Florida is littered with them, she is technically in a zone 9b climate with lows going down to 25F and they thrive. They need moist soil, however they’re pretty drought tolerant, they can tolerate sandy soils since Florida’s soil is basically sand. They love coastal conditions too and can even be salt tolerant