Gardening in Fuerteventura

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

I saw some new cones on a tree today which prompted this post.

From Wiki:
Araucaria is a genus of evergreen coniferous trees in the family Araucariaceae.

Araucaria are mainly large trees with a massive erect stem, reaching a height of 5–80 metres (16–262 ft). The horizontal, spreading branches grow in whorls and are covered with leathery or needle-like leaves. In some species, the leaves are narrow, awl-shaped and lanceolate, barely overlapping each other; in others they are broad and flat, and overlap broadly.
The trees are mostly dioecious, with male and female cones found on separate trees,[6] though occasional individuals are monoecious or change sex with time. The female cones, usually high on the top of the tree, are globose, and vary in size among species from 7 to 25 centimetres (2.8 to 9.8 in) diameter. They contain 80–200 large edible seeds, similar to pine nuts, though larger. The male cones are smaller, 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) long, and narrow to broad cylindrical, 1.5–5.0 cm (0.6–2.0 in) broad.
The genus is familiar to many people as the genus of the distinctive Chilean pine or monkey-puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana). The genus is named after the Spanish exonym Araucano ("from Arauco") applied to the Mapuche of central Chile and south-west Argentina, whose territory incorporates natural stands of this genus. The Mapuche people call it [i]pehuén[/i], and consider it sacred. Some Mapuche living in the Andes name themselves [i]Pehuenches[/i] ("people of the [i]pehuén[/i]") as they traditionally harvested the seeds extensively for food.

From Tamara  :
A fantastic tree which grows very happily here in Fuerteventura if given sufficient water but please, please, please think very carefully about where you plant it. They get enormous! That means large roots (bad news for foundations and underground pipes, water etc) and a heavy, tall trunk which if it blows over could cause extensive damage to buildings. I see some in tiny gardens or right next to houses and cringe every time. Think - would I plant an oak tree in this position? If no, then don't plant an araucaria! 
Because of their growth habit they are ideal subjects for decorating with solar fairy lights or wrapping a continuous light around the trunk if that's your thing. A Fuerte Christmas tree?