A MONKEY-puzzle tree was planted at Pencarrow in a ceremonial event on Tuesday (May 12) designed to honour both the species’ history with the estate and the importance of preserving remarkable trees for future generations.

Cornish historian Barry West donated the tree, which he acquired from a lady in Porthpean, near St Austell. “This particular plant was in a pot that was about to burst, and was destined to fail without intervention,” he recalled. “She kindly asked if I would like it - of course, I said yes. Once it was potted up, fed and watered I went back to share the news - but sadly, in the few weeks since I’d met her, she had passed away.

“I kept the plant until it was about 5ft tall - approximately the same size as the one planted at Pencarrow in 1842 - and I wanted to donate it and tell the story so that future generations can understand the history of these magnificent trees and why planting them and other species is important. Hopefully we can help educate, inform and inspire future generations.”

Known scientifically as Araucaria araucana, the monkey-puzzle is native to the mountainous regions of Chile and Argentina. European botanists first encountered the species in the 18th century, and it quickly became one of the great botanical curiosities sought after by wealthy estate owners and collectors.

In Victorian Britain, owning rare exotic trees signified sophistication, scientific interest and global connection. Great estates competed to acquire unusual global specimens, and nowhere was this enthusiasm stronger than in Cornwall, whose mild climate allowed many exotic species to flourish.

Pencarrow’s Araucaria araucana was among the earliest celebrated specimens planted in Britain. Contemporary accounts describe it as a rare and extraordinary curiosity. It had been purchased by Sir William Molesworth (8th Baronet) in 1834 for £25, a substantial and remarkable amount for a tree at the time.

The acquisition would result in the tree gaining the name it’s commonly known by now. In 1842, Sir William invited a distinguished gathering of guests to witness the planting of a young Araucaria araucana in front of the famous Pencarrow rockery. During the ceremony, the prominent lawyer Charles Austin is said to have handled the spiny young tree, pricked his finger and exclaimed: “It would puzzle a monkey!”

The remark delighted those present, and the name “monkey-puzzle” quickly entered popular usage. More than 180 years later, while the original Pencarrow specimen no longer survives, the tree remains known by that wonderful Victorian moment in time and expression.

Speaking on behalf of the Molesworth-St Aubyn family, owners of Pencarrow, Gillian Molesworth said: “Given its history with Pencarrow, the monkey-puzzle tree is really close to our hearts and is one of the jewels in the crown of our collection. We were only too pleased to be able to give a happy home to this example so it can inspire future generations for many years to come. Many thanks to Barry West for giving us this opportunity.”