Norfolk Island Pine Trees
Thursday February 28, 2008
Norfolk Island pine trees are those adorable little specimens so popular in the U.S. as patio plants, house plants or (increasingly) even as miniature Christmas trees. But Steve Nix tells us that Norfolk Island pine trees "may reach 200 feet in height with 15-pound cones" in their native habitat. About's Forestry Guide tells us all about Norfolk Island pine trees in this article.
Comments
In reading your website, I learned I can get rid of poison ivy (pi) with Roundup.
One question. I am extremely susceptible to pi. I’m just getting over again this summer w/a shot f/the doctor.
The pi is in my 350 privet hedges that decorate our yard. We’ve had them for 25 yrs. and don’t want to accidentally kill them by using Roundup to kill the pi embedded in them.
Do you have any suggestions about getting rid of the pi w/o killing the hedges.
Thanks for your help.
Mickey Muin
Perhaps try a product put out by Ortho called “Brush-B-Gone Foam.” Because it’s a foam, it’s easier to apply selectively. That’s important, because you want to get the herbicide on just the poison ivy. Avoid getting the herbicide on your privet, else you risk damaging it. You might even try squirting the foam onto a palette first, then daubing it onto the poison ivy with a small paintbrush.
Living in South Florida the Norfolk Island pine grows like a weed. In five years it is a giant. I see some in my neighborhood over one hundred feet. I believe people here don’t realize what a problem they have once they transfer the cute little “Christmas Tree” house plant into the front yard.
The last hurricane that went through this area damaged many of the Norfolk Pines to the point that over a year later most look like something from another planet. Not to mention the damage they caused to buildings, power lines, etc. The fact that they a so large most homeowners can’t afford having them removed so now they have a problem when the next hurricane arrives.
I would like to see the “State of Florida” restrict the planting of the Norfolk Island Pine outdoors. In my opinion they are dangerous and a nuisance to the South Florida area.
My next-door-neighbor has a 100 ft. Norfolk pine approx. 20 ft. from my house in South Florida. I have been searching everywhere for local zoning ordinances that restrict the height of trees or their proximity to a structure but have found nothing. What’s the next step? We are on our fifth hurricane this season…
JAS,
I would go down to City Hall and just start asking questions. I don’t know who would have the answer, but you’re bound to get a “lead” if you’re persistent.
Best of luck!
I live in Idaho, my little norfolk pines came to me at christmas with cute little red bows, they are growing indoors – but too big for my little living space, will these trees grow outside in Idaho?
No, Rita, I’m afraid not. According to my information, Norfolk Island pine trees are suited to zones 9-11.
I have one in my office, but it’s not doing as well as it has been the last couple of years. I’m in northern NV – can it be put outside for the summer and then brought back inside in the fall?
Ginger,
Absolutely, put your Norfolk Island pine tree outdoors for the summer. But do so in stages. You don’t want to expose a plant that’s been indoors to bright outdoor sunshine all at once. Bring it out at first for just a few hours at a time, then continue to increase its outdoor time gradually.