Norfolk Island pine seeding

Of course it isn't a real pine. The Norfolk Island 'pine' tree (Araucaria hererophylla) in a conifer, but in the family Araucariaceae, related to the monkey puzzle tree. There are twenty species in the genus, mostly in the southern hemisphere.

Although most of the big trees were felled by early settlers, seeds seem to germinate well in remaining forested areas. The tree has also been widely planted on the island. I was sad to learn recently, though, that the largest specimens are now growing outside of Norfolk Island. It would have been amazing to arrive here when Cook landed and found impenetrable forest containing giant Norfolk Island pine trees. As I like to see individual trees, standing tall in a paddock or along the shoreline, I can't totally condemn land clearance.