Fern pine

Afrocarpus falcatus

Afrocarpus gracilior - Fern pine

A close-up photo of fern pine leaves and berries. Evergreen leaves are lanceolate and linear, although they are not needles like true pines. Light bluish-gray berries with white bloom appear at the tips of twigs in fall.

Afrocarpus gracilior - Fern pine leaves and berries. Formerly known as Podocarpus gracilior.

A couple tall, columnar fern pines shade some apartments and provide lush evergreen privacy for the residents, blocking public views into their patios, balconies, and windows.

Afrocarpus gracilior - Fern pine. Formerly known as Podocarpus gracilior.

Several mature fern pines grow side-by-side behind a fence in a back yard. Their dense evergreen foliage provides a nice privacy screen for these residents whose yard backs up to a public space, and the contrast of bright green new growth against the darker mature leaves adds beauty to the landscape.

Afrocarpus gracilior - Fern pine. Formerly known as Podocarpus gracilior.

Fern pine leaves are lanceolate and evergreen. Although 'pine' is part of its common name, it is not actually a pine and does not have needles. New growth is bright and almost chartreuse, while older leaves are a darker green color.

Afrocarpus gracilior - Fern pine leaves. Formerly known as Podocarpus gracilior.

The fern pine is neither a fern nor a pine, but it is an excellent shade tree formerly classified as Podocarpus. As an evergreen, it is a great candidate for spaces that could benefit from year-round cooling. It has bright, slender, soft green leaves that grow in full clusters around each branch, giving the tree a uniquely robust and almost “fluffy” appearance. The fern pine tolerates partial shade and poor soil quality well. Its soft form and low-hanging branches also make it an excellent tree for privacy screening.

Fern pine characteristics

Size:

Medium

Height:

35-45 feet

Width:

25-35 feet

Growth Rate:

Moderate to Slow

Water Needs:

Moderate

Sunset Zones:

8, 9

Fall Color:

None

Minimum planting distances

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Fern pine

Fern pine characteristics

Size:

Height:

Width:

Growth Rate:

Water Needs:

Sunset Zones:

Fall Color:

From foundations:

From hardscape:

From pools:

From fences:

From power lines:

Between trees:

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