Description:

A towering ornamental tree whose height makes it susceptible to damage from hurricanes and lightning; grows rapidly once established; moderately salt tolerant; does not tolerate frost

Ornamental Features

Norfolk Island Pine is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive light green evergreen foliage. The small pointy leaves are highly ornamental and remain light green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Norfolk Island Pine is a dense evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Norfolk Island Pine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent

Planting & Growing

Norfolk Island Pine will grow to be about 80 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America.