THE MONKEY PUZZLE WALK (ARAUCARIA ARAUCANA)
"The Monkey Puzzle Walk" 2002
PHOTO: CARMEL CLEARY 2000
The Monkey Puzzle walk is probably the most prominent feature at Woodstock. Set out as an avenue, the Monkey Puzzle walk runs along an almost direct north/south axis to the south of the house and was a main thoroughfare.
The trees are paired on either side of the walk and are set out in rows at c. 7m intervals. Across the walk they are at intervals of c. 8.5m apart. In its original 19th Century form it had a mown grass path down the centre. The walk became a vehicular thoroughfare in the 1970's when forestry vehicles were working in and around the estate.
There were originally 31 pairs of Araucaria araucana, first planted in1845.
It is not clear whether these trees were planted from seed of trees already growing at Woodstock or whether they were purchased from stock brought to Britain by Lobb for Vietch of Chelsea.
"The Monkey Puzzle Walk" circa 1920
It was observed by William Miller following a visit to Woodstock that the trees did not do very well at first, making little 'new growth and got rusted , which was owing to the wet, ingenial nature of the soil and subsoil'. However when the new head gardener, Charles McDonald, arrived at Woodstock in 1860, he resolved to carry out extensive drainage operations and replant the trees, all of which was done 1861-2. The trees were planted 'afresh on mounds, the plants ranging from four to fourteen feet when re-planted' (Irish Farmers Gazette, Dublin, Saturday, June 14th 1862).
Following this replanting the trees thrived to the present day. The majority are in good condition having had extensive tree works to remove ivy and deadwood etc. A number of dead trees were removed, their deaths caused by blocked drains, and 22 no. trees were replanted. Several of the trees are seed bearing, so seeds are being collected and grown on for a future plant supply. These trees are particularly valuable, as they are threatened in their native habitat.
