Afrocarpus gracilior aka African Fern Pine

Afrocarpus gracilior is a conifer that stays green all year. Its common name is African fern pine. It belongs to the Podocarpaceae family. Its native range starts in Ethiopia and spans eastern tropical Africa. It grows in mountain rainforests and shares the canopy. Garden trees reach about 40–60 feet (12.2–18.3 metres) tall. Their spread can reach 40 feet (12.2 metres). Large trees may reach 130 feet (39.6 metres) tall. Reports give spreads up to 110 feet (33.5 metres).

Young trees grow upright, then form a broad, rounded crown. Without pruning, branches may droop down to the ground. Thin green twigs have hanging tips and small, pointed buds. The bark starts reddish brown and turns light grey. Small scales cover its surface. Narrow, pointed leaves give the crown a fine texture. They measure about two to four inches long. Their tops range from glossy green to grey-green. The lower sides are paler. The leaves stay on the tree through winter.

This tree makes cones rather than flowers. Small cones appear in spring but are hard to see. Male and female cones grow on separate trees. Pale yellow male cones stand upright and reach one inch long. Female cones sit alone where leaves meet the stems. Wind moves pollen from one tree to the next. Round seeds have a fleshy outer coat. Sources describe ripe coats as orange or red. These structures reach about half an inch to one inch across.

Grow it in full sun or partial shade. In hot summers, give it shade in the afternoon. Avoid sites with strong reflected light or a south-facing aspect. It grows best in deep soil rich in humus. The soil must drain well. It prefers slightly acidic soil but grows in neutral soil too. It accepts both sandy and clay soils. Water it often to keep the soil moist. It cannot withstand drought. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 9–11. In good conditions, it grows one to three feet each year. It accepts pruning and shearing for hedges or screens.

Leaves and fallen fruit can litter paths and pool edges. Spider mites may attack it. Reports list few other major problems. The tree provides timber, shade, and shelter in eastern Africa. People have used its bark for tanning and traditional medicine. Its leaves contain a substance used in insecticides. Ripe fruit is edible but tastes of resin. People in Ethiopia have taken edible oil from the seeds. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known hazards. This does not prove that it is safe for pets. That source records a 2013 IUCN assessment of Least Concern.