Coihue

The evergreen coihue is the giant of southern Chile’s rainforests, reaching 40–50 m in height.

Nothofagus dombeyi is an evergreen tree of the southern beech family and one of the tallest in the temperate forests of South America – it reaches 40–50 m and a trunk diameter of more than 2 m. It has small, leathery, toothed leaves set densely on twigs that spread in horizontal tiers. It is a light-demanding species that quickly colonises land after fires, landslides and volcanic eruptions. Its wood is strong and used in building, joinery and as firewood.

Significance in the country

The coihue dominates the rainforests of the Araucanía, Los Ríos and Los Lagos regions and forms characteristic silhouettes above the lakes and volcanoes of southern Chile. Together with the monkey puzzle tree and the alerce it is a symbol of southern national parks such as Puyehue, Vicente Pérez Rosales and Conguillío.

Where it grows

From the mountains of the Maule region through Ñuble and Biobío to the forests of Araucanía, Los Ríos, Los Lagos and northern Aysén, from the coast to the Andes.

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