Description

African Fern Pine (Afrocarpus falcatus), also known as Podocarpus gracilior, is commonly found in Southern California. This evergreen tree can reach 50’-70’ tall and 30’ wide and has a moderate to fast growth habit. It will require very little shaping when it is young, but once it is too tall to prune from the ground, it should be left to a licensed arborist to shape and manage the size. This tree likes regular irrigation, well-draining acidic soil, and nitrogen fertilizer. This species should be planted at least three feet away from any hardscape areas and structures, such as houses and buildings, and not near any powerlines. It should be irrigated for about 30 minutes, twice a week, when using most in-line drip irrigation systems.