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Nothofagus dombeyi
Also called Coihue
Coigue (Nothofagus dombeyi) is a large, fast-growing evergreen tree from southern Chile and Argentine Patagonia that forms dense forests and is grown as an ornamental and timber tree. It needs moist, acidic, fertile soil and shelter from cold winds when young.
Nothofagus dombeyi, Dombey's beech, coigue, coihue or coigüe (from Mapudungun koywe) is a tree species native to southern Chile and the Andean parts of Argentine Patagonia. It is a fast-growing species that can live in a wide range of climatic conditions, and forms dense forests. It is cultivated for its timber, and as an ornamental subject.
The shadow produced by stands of Nothofagus dombeyi is an important factor that keeps the air around streams cool and with relatively low daily temperature variations.
Nothofagus dombeyi is found from 35 to 45° South latitude between 700 and 1,200 m (2,300 and 3,900 ft) above mean sea level. It forms dense forests such as those found in the Los Alerces and Nahuel Huapi national parks. It thrives in low hills with gentle slopes, being very demanding of water and soil; the largest forests are found on south-facing slopes, and the healthier specimens tend to grow on the banks of rivers and lakes. It sometimes forms mixed forests with Araucaria araucana (monkey-puzzle) trees, for example in the Villarrica National Park in Chile.
Coihue timber is considered excellent. In Argentina its exploitation is limited by the presence of the best forests within national parks. The wood is bright grayish white; the heartwood is a pale pink-white, which darkens after cut. Its texture is very fine and makes it easy to work with. It has a beautiful engraving, is semi-heavy, hard, durable and decay resistant. It is used in furniture, barrels, floors and building.
Rauli · Antarctic Beech · Magellan's Beech · Mountain Beech · Myrtle Beech · Red Beech · Roble Colorado · Nothofagus macrocarpa · Silver Beech · Roble beech · Lenga Beech · Black Beech
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Nothofagus dombeyi by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
