A Note on Araucaria Cuminghamii, Ait. (Hoop Pine)

Hoop pine is a native of the eastern Austraian coastal scrub forests. These forests are tropical in character having an annual precipitation of about 60 inches and a mild winter. The Pine thrives on almost a11 types of soil provide the drainage is good and the soil keeps moist all the year round. The pine is a light demander and grows to varying sizes with 2/3 of its height as clean hole. The percentage of fertility in seeds is low and they do not store for more than a year. Germination percent varies between 20 and 50. Seedlings demand careful handling in transplanting, and in this the "bamboo tube" method has proved successful. Growth is very slow to start with but increases with development of the ischolar_main system. The wood is used for various purposes and is in much demand. The pine has been successfully introduced in Mauritius and other African colonies. The results of priliminary investigations in India justfy further trial for replacing miscellaneous hardwood species in tropical evergreen forests.