Description: Large deciduous tree, slender and conic, later opening out at the top with arching branches and strikingly regular herring-bone shoots which fan outwards and downwards in sleder sprays.

Height: to 30m in the wild.

Diameter: 0.5-1m, old trees up to 2-3m

Leaves: alternate in two opposite rows; ovate-oblong, 4-8cm × 2-4cm, blunt at the apex, rounded at the base, unequal sided. Irregularly set with small triangular teeth and more or less lobulate, at least in the lower half; Dark green above, pale and rather glaucous beneath; 7-11 pairs of impressed veins; autumn colours yellow and crimson. Petiole 5mm, pink or dark red above.

Bark: dark red above and yellow-brown beneath slender young shoots; later grey, split into plates by vertical and horizontal fissures.

Flowers: Males solitary; inconspicuous in leaf axils; 30-40 stamens.

Fruit: one at the base of each leaf, pale bright green, 8×5mm; roughened by outcurved 1mm scales between four smooth ribs. Three nutlets, centre one flattened; valves of involucre with simple, gland-tipped processes.

Habitat: The most warmth-loving of S American Nothofagus: forms extensive forests with N. dombeyi, Podocarpus salignus and bamboo thickets at lower altitudes, mixed with N. pumilio and N. antarctica higher up.

Range: Extends to 34°S south of Santiago, where it is a stunted shrub and atypical. Main range from 36 to 41°S in Chile, formerly extensive in the central valley, but now mainly restricted to the remoter Andes. Argentina near Chilean Frontier in Neuquen province.

The common Chilean name is the Spanish word for Oak, from the similarity of its timber. Native names pellin and hualo are used for mature and young trees respectively. Reports of introduction by W. Lobb in 1849 are so confused as to be impossible to determine the true species involved. No specimens were recorded in the UK until seeds brought back by Elwes in 1902. There were later introductions in 1910 and 1926. Growth starts slowly in April, then rapid from Mid-May to early September. Young trees frequently to 1.5m per year. Many 1902 specimens over 25m. 1926 specimens at Muncaster up to 35m by 1987. Mature groups set seeds profusely.

Information: Mitchell (1988), Leathart (1991), Bean III.

Source: Weasdale Nurseries, Newbiggin-on-Lune, Cumbria.

Purchased: 1993.03.16, one at 4-5'.

Planted: April 1993, west end of front strip, nearest public footpath.

Progress: this tree scarcely missed a breath as it was moved to its new site and quickly started making new growth, especially in height. Planned to grow to block our view of an adjacent building during our lifetimes, it looks like doing so within another three or four years - it is already up with our tallest planted trees at 4.40 m on 1998.10.07.

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