Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The lenga beech, or Nothofagus pumilio, is a deciduous tree species spanning roughly 2,000 kilometers from about 36 degrees south latitude down to Tierra del Fuego at 55 degrees south in southern Chile. These trees often form the predominant or sole forest type where they grow, marking the highest elevations at which trees can survive in the area. In the northern, warmer parts of their range, lenga beeches grow at elevations around 1,700 meters, while in the cooler southern areas, they are found at elevations near 600 meters above sea level.
During the austral autumn, as observed on April 12, 2026, lenga beech forests display vibrant reds and yellows as colder and shorter days trigger leaf color changes. This seasonal transformation adds warm tones to Patagonia’s typically cooler and muted landscape. Other southern beech species, like Nothofagus antarctica—known as ñire or “Antarctic fire”—also add bursts of color in areas such as Torres del Paine and Tierra del Fuego.
These forests represent the southernmost temperate deciduous woodlands in the world and significantly contribute to the distinctive autumn scenery celebrated by visitors across Patagonia. Imagery from the Landsat 9 satellite highlights these fiery colors in the Magallanes region of Chile, showcasing the unique ecological and aesthetic value of the lenga beech forests.