General Description | The Araucaria hunsteinii is an evergreen tree that displays a pyramidal form and large stature. The needles are wider and flatter than other coniferous evergreen species commonly known. The cones display an ovular profile with small spines protruding from the scales. The apical stems in most varieties display a similar spiked formations as the cones. |
ID Characteristic | The main characteristics to take note of are the large spacious branches that support the foliage and the large straight trunk the tree exhibits. The foliage itself has a spiraling needle design with yellow apical tips at the ends of branches. |
Shape | The general shape is similar to that of a ponderosa pine. Pyramidal in shape with the lower canopy often exhibiting the lack of branches due to natural occurrences. |
Landscape | This tree species is near threatened by the IUCN, hence why they are not commonly used in landscapes in the west. In Canada, they are especially not grown because of the lack of environmental conditions needed to be able to sustain a specimen. |
Propagation | Propagation is most commonly done through the seeds collected from wild specimens. There are accounts of grafting, but it is not known whether the grafted trees were able to survive. |
Cultivation | Seeds can be sown into growing beds with overhead shade. |
Pests | There are two main pests that are known to have affected Klinki pines in Papua New Guinea. Setomorpha rutella and unknown species of Microlepidopteras are so far recorded to have infested the tree. Hylurdrectonus araucaria, a species of weevil native to Papua New Guinea, is known to try and infest A. hunsteinii; however, it has little success because of the flat and thin needle margins. |
Habitat | The A. hunsteinii is generally found in the highland areas of Papua New Guinea. |
Bark/Stem Description | The lower bark of the tree has deeply brown coloured bark with fissures exfoliating in corky plates. The top portion of the tree displays red bark with a twisted, windswept form. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Small green leaf buds with small spikes, all facing one direction. |
Leaf Description | The needles are flat and fleshy, and are in a curved, sickle like shape. The adult needles are lanceolate in profile. |
Flower Description | The flowers are not very apparent and generally look like the cone they develop in to; they start off looking like the fuzzier, yellow, pollen covered version of a fully developed cone. |
Fruit Description | The cones are green or brown in colour, and are covered with small spikes facing in all directions. |
Colour Description | The colour of the Klinki Pine is comprised of red, green, and yellow. The bark on certain areas of the tree can display a deep red colour. The foliage is a lush attractive green, while the cones (when in the early stages) produce yellow pollen that covers the entire surface of the fruit. |
Texture Description | The texture of the Klinki Pine is rough but uniform. |