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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees
Embothrium coccineum
Chilean fire tree
Proteaceae
Chile and Argentina along the Andes, from Santiago south to Tierra del Fuego
At a Glance
TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height15-30 feet (4.5-9 m)
Width10-20 feet (3-6 m)
Maturity10 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
7 - 9Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy
Key Features
Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant
Maintenancelow
Overview
Embothrium coccineum (Chilean fire tree) is a semi-evergreen to deciduous tree or large shrub native to the temperate rainforests of Chile and Argentina, reaching 15–30 feet (4.5–9 m) tall and 10–20 feet (3–6 m) wide in an upright, somewhat open, multi-stemmed form. It is grown for what is arguably the most spectacular brief floral display of any tree hardy in the Pacific Northwest: in May through June, the entire tree is enveloped in masses of brilliant scarlet-orange tubular flowers 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) long — the individual flowers arranged in dense racemes along the branches and held upright — creating such an intense concentration of vivid color that the tree genuinely appears to be on fire. In the Pacific Northwest's mild maritime climate, particularly in western Oregon and western Washington, Chilean fire tree finds near-ideal conditions — cool summers, mild wet winters, naturally acid soil, and the absence of hard freezes that would damage it in colder locations. It is a member of the Proteaceae family (along with Grevillea, Banksia, and Protea), which brings a critically important cultural rule: as with all Proteaceae, the roots are adapted to low-phosphorus soils and are easily damaged by high-phosphorus fertilizers. Never use high-phosphorus fertilizers or bonemeal around this plant. The plant slowly spreads by root suckers to form a multi-stemmed colony. The hardiest selection is var. lanceolatum 'Norquinco Valley', which is reliably hardy to Zone 7b. Great Plant Picks endorsed. DB note: genus field contains a trailing space; correct spelling is Embothrium.
Native Range
Native to temperate rainforest regions of Chile and Argentina along the Andes, from near Santiago south to Tierra del Fuego. Grows in open woodland, forest edges, and along streams at low to moderate elevations.Suggested Uses
Grown as a landmark specimen tree for the spectacular May through June floral display — Great Plant Picks endorsed. The brilliant scarlet-orange flower display is genuinely without equal among trees hardy in the Pacific Northwest; visitors invariably stop. Best in larger garden positions where the upright multi-stemmed habit (15–30 feet / 4.5–9 m) can develop fully. The PNW maritime climate — mild winters, cool summers, acid soil — is among the best growing conditions outside its native South America. Particularly effective sited against a dark evergreen backdrop (conifers) which amplifies the scarlet-orange color. Combines well with other acid-loving woodland plants: Rhododendron, Pieris, Enkianthus. The Proteaceae family identity adds an engaging botanical story — this is a Southern Hemisphere plant family (Protea, Grevillea, Banksia) here thriving in the Pacific Northwest.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height15' - 30'
Width/Spread10' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Colors
Flower Colors
red
orange
Foliage Colors
dark green
Fall Foliage Colors
no change
Bloom Information
Bloom Period
~4 weeksJ
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SpringSummer
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
brilliant scarlet-orange (tubular, in dense upright racemes)Foliage Description
dark blue-green, leathery; semi-evergreen in mild PNW wintersGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Soil Requirements
pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loampeatsand
Drainage
well drained
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Medium
Frost Tolerance
hardy
Time to Maturity
8-12 years
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun to part shade in moist, acid, humus-rich, well-drained soil — pH 5.5–6.5 is ideal. The most critical cultural rule for Chilean fire tree (and all Proteaceae) is the phosphorus restriction: the roots have specialized cluster roots adapted to extract phosphorus from very low-phosphorus soils, and they are easily damaged by high-phosphorus fertilizers, bonemeal, or superphosphate. Never fertilize with high-phosphorus products. Use acid fertilizers (sulfate of ammonia, ericaceous fertilizer) in low doses if needed. PNW native woodland soil is often ideal without amendment. Requires shelter from cold, drying winds. Hardy to Zone 7b (-5°F / -21°C) in the 'Norquinco Valley' selection; other forms may be less cold-hardy and more suitable for Zones 8–9. In PNW lowland areas west of the Cascades, this tree thrives and flowers prolifically. Inland and east-of-Cascades locations are generally too cold.Pruning
Minimal pruning required and generally inadvisable — the multi-stemmed suckering form is characteristic and should be preserved. Remove dead or damaged stems at the base in late winter (February through March). The natural open, upright form should not be hard-pruned or trained into an unnatural shape. Root suckers can be removed if spread is not desired; dig them out with a sharp spade at the root junction. Do not attempt to transplant established specimens — they resent root disturbance.Pruning Schedule
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early spring