Fern pine is a relatively unknown but beautiful conifer. It is fairly common in Sacramento, despite its relative anonymity. I suspect this is at least partly because it has been saddled with a number of unfortunate names. It is typically sold (incorrectly) as a Podocarpus gracilior, but anyone who has looked closely at both Afrocarpus and Podocarpus will see that they are quite distinct. Its common names are no more clear, as it is neither a fern nor a pine but a member of the ancient Podocarpaceae family. In its native Africa, it is known (along with virtually every other podocarp) as yellowwood.
To make matters worse, even the correct botanical name is a matter of dispute. While many authors describe these trees as A. gracilior of East Africa, Dr. Matt Ritter writes that most evidence suggests it is actually A. falcatus of South Africa. This theory makes the most cultural and geographic sense, as South Africa's Mediterranean climate is much more similar to ours than that of the tropical montane regions where A. gracilior grows.
I have never noticed anything that makes me believe we have more than one species from this genus in our area, so until more information becomes available, I will refer to them all as A. falcatus.
Issues of nomenclature aside, fern pine's lush, green, dense foliage make it well suited for screening. Unfortunately, this has led to its use primarily as a hedge. Unwitting homeowners all over have planted them extremely close together and to their homes. While the trees I have seen in Sacramento are only moderately sized so far, trees in Santa Barbara have reached 90 feet, and in their native habitat can reportedly reach almost 200. It remains to be seen if the colder, drier conditions of inland California will support such behemoths but it's best to leave some space for this tree to grow, just in case.
Fern pines seem to do fine with most ordinary landscape conditions, as long as they are not extremely wet or dry, and can grow in heavy shade. I rarely see them looking anything but perfectly healthy, and even young trees I have observed did not seem fazed by the 116 degree heat wave in 2022. Their cold hardiness is rated quite differently by different authors, between zones 7 and 10. I can say from personal experience that I have observed no noticeable damage from temperatures in the mid-twenties, so it should be hardy to at least zone 9b, and maybe colder. In my opinion, this is one of the best conifers for our region.
To make matters worse, even the correct botanical name is a matter of dispute. While many authors describe these trees as A. gracilior of East Africa, Dr. Matt Ritter writes that most evidence suggests it is actually A. falcatus of South Africa. This theory makes the most cultural and geographic sense, as South Africa's Mediterranean climate is much more similar to ours than that of the tropical montane regions where A. gracilior grows.
I have never noticed anything that makes me believe we have more than one species from this genus in our area, so until more information becomes available, I will refer to them all as A. falcatus.
Issues of nomenclature aside, fern pine's lush, green, dense foliage make it well suited for screening. Unfortunately, this has led to its use primarily as a hedge. Unwitting homeowners all over have planted them extremely close together and to their homes. While the trees I have seen in Sacramento are only moderately sized so far, trees in Santa Barbara have reached 90 feet, and in their native habitat can reportedly reach almost 200. It remains to be seen if the colder, drier conditions of inland California will support such behemoths but it's best to leave some space for this tree to grow, just in case.
Fern pines seem to do fine with most ordinary landscape conditions, as long as they are not extremely wet or dry, and can grow in heavy shade. I rarely see them looking anything but perfectly healthy, and even young trees I have observed did not seem fazed by the 116 degree heat wave in 2022. Their cold hardiness is rated quite differently by different authors, between zones 7 and 10. I can say from personal experience that I have observed no noticeable damage from temperatures in the mid-twenties, so it should be hardy to at least zone 9b, and maybe colder. In my opinion, this is one of the best conifers for our region.