Description

The Alerce is a native Chilean tree which can be found in forests of southern Chile, especially between the South latitudes of 40° and 43°. It usually grows in low-heigths fields found between the sea level and 1,500mt above, in humid zones with little drainage.

This unique species grows up to 45 m tall and over 4 m trunk diameter. The Alerce grows very slowly, up to 8cm per year. This gives it the second-greatest longevity for any living tree, with specimens dated as 3613 years old.

Its notable wood of intense reddish color displays a very fine texture, durability and resistence, therefore it has been highly demanded to make furniture, house tiles, music intruments, small boats. The undiscriminate cut down of this species during the 20th century led it close to extinction.

Nowadays, the Alerce is considered a national monument, cutting it down as well as using its wood are forbidden to insure its protection.