SelecTree: Tree Detail

AFRICAN FERN PINE
Afrocarpus falcatus

Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus Afrocarpus falcatus

Photo Locations: Balboa Park - San Diego, CA, Cal Poly State University - San Luis Obispo, CA, Nipomo, CA and Los Angeles County Arboretum - Arcadia, CA

See all Afrocarpus.

General Notes

Branches droop but resist breakage. Needs good drainage. Still widely sold and referred to as Podocarpus falcatus, although this taxon is distantly related to Podocarpus and has no fleshy receptacle, as do all Podocarpus.

Native to Eastern South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

Trees may be referred to as male or female.

An Afrocarpus falcatus in City of Santa Barbara Alameda Park is registered as a California Big Tree. It measures 87 feet high, with a trunk circumference of 158 inches and a crown spread of 62 feet.

Family: Podocarpaceae

Synonyms

Afrocarpus gracilior
Podocarpus gracilior

Additional Common Names

OUTENIQUA YELLOWWOOD, COMMON YELLOWWOOD, SICKLE LEAVED YELLOWWOOD, African Fern Pine

Tree Characteristics

Erect and requires ample growing space.

Oval or Rounded Shape.

Has Evergreen foliage.

Height: 50 - 65 feet.

Growth Rate: 12 to 36 Inches per Year.

Longevity Greater than 150 years.

Leaves Lanceolate to Linear, Blue Green, Gray Green or Dark Green, No Change, Evergreen.

Flowers Inconspicuous. Flowers in Spring. Has either male or female flowers (dioecious). Trees may be sold as male or female.

Green to Purple Cone, Small (0.25 - 0.50 inches), fruiting in Fall.

Bark Light Gray, Furrowed or Smooth.

Shading Capacity Rated as Moderately Dense in Leaf.

Litter Issue is Dry Fruit.

Tree Site Conditions & Constraints

Sunset Zones 8, 9 and 14 - 24.

USDA Hardiness Zones 9 - 11.

Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Well Drained Soil.

Clay, Loam or Sand Texture.

Acidic Soil pH.

Seaside Tolerance is Good in Mild Zone.

Health, Safety & Environmental Concerns

Branch Strength Rated as Medium.

Root Damage Potential Rated as Low.

None Known Health Hazard.

Biogenic Emissions considered Low.

Not Deer Palatable.

Special Uses & Values

Specimen or Buffer Strip.

Espalier, Hedged or Topiary.

Cite this tree:
SelecTree. "Afrocarpus falcatus Tree Record." 1995-2019. Aug 21, 2019.
< https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/afrocarpus-falcatus >

SelecTree Nursery Connection Map
Cal Poly / ESRI