Age trends in genetic parameters for growth performance across country-wide provenances of the iconic conifer tree Araucaria angustifolia show strong prospects for systematic breeding and early selection

•Heritabilities for growth increase with age for most A. angustifolia provenances.•Greater genetic variation for growth is found within than between provenances.•Early selection at age 7–10 provides 85% prediction accuracy of growth at age 35.•Individual and family selection could reduce harvest age to 15–20 years.•More investments in breeding and plantation forestry of A. angustifolia are timely.