Fernworthy Forest is a #conifer forest, which I think is not natural, rather being there to provide timber. There are many track through it but none are marked and so the only way to find out which way you’re going is to use a compass. I was uncertain of my precise location after a while but I knew that if we kept heading in a westerly direction, we’d eventually get to the other side.

The #MonkeyTree is the #hardiest species in the #conifer genus #Araucaria. Because of the prevalence of similar species in ancient #prehistory, it is sometimes called an #AnimateFossil.

Its #seeds are #edible, similar to large pine nuts, & are harvested by #Indigenous peoples in #Argentina & #Chile.

The tree has potential to be a #FoodCrop in other areas in the future, thriving in climates with cool oceanic summers. Like, #VancouverIsland & several coastal areas of the #PacificNorthwest.
The tree doesn't yield seeds until it is around 30-40 yrs old though.

Once valued because of its long, straight trunk, its current #rarity & #vulnerable status mean its wood is now rarely used; it is also #sacred to some #Indigenous #Mapuche.

The species is #protected under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning international trade is regulated by the CITES permitting system & commercial trade in wild sourced specimens is prohibited.