The Wollemi pine, known as the Wollemia Nobilis, was considered extinct until it grew deep in Australia’s wilderness in 1994.

Considered one of the planet’s last living creatures, the Wollemi pine has captured the imagination of scientists and conservationists worldwide, leading to more than 100 attempts to find other surviving populations of this remarkable plant.

Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about this endangered species and what you can do to help preserve it!

1. What is the Wollemi Pine?

The Wollemi pine is a rare species of tree that was only discovered in 1994. These trees were given a unique name to signify their importance and uniqueness. The name Wollemi is derived from two words, Wolle and Miel.

Wolle refers to a common species of Australian Possum called Phascolarctos cinereus, while Miel refers to another tree in New South Wales found in tall wet forests.

David Noble: The discoverer

In 1994, a bushwalker named David Noble was on a bushwalk in Australia’s New South Wales when he stumbled upon what he thought was a very odd-looking tree.

The wild Wollemi pine is a prehistoric plant that was thought to have been extinct for millions of years. Because of its long dormant period, it is sometimes referred to as a living fossil.

It can grow to heights of up to 35-40 meters and has deep green needles that are bright lime green. Wollemi is a threatened species because it can take up to 10 years for a Wollemia Nobilis tree to produce its first female cone, which grows into an adult tree.

Because it’s classified as a critically endangered species, efforts are being made by organizations like National Parks and Wildlife Services in Australia and The Royal Botanic Gardens to ensure its survival.

2. Where Does It Grow?

Wollemi National park

Wollemi pines can be found in a remote area of New South Wales, Australia. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has designated the area as a national park called the Wollemi National Park, also a member of the Gondwana Rainforests.

There are plans to extend it, too. The area is still largely unexplored, and many scientists believe other unusual species of plants and animals are just waiting to be discovered in Wollemi National Park.

Although it is sometimes called a dinosaur tree, no evidence exists that it survived from prehistory. Instead, it was believed to have grown in a remote part of Australia for millions of years before anyone discovered it.

3. How Old Are They?

Wollemi pines are considered one of the oldest species on earth, with evidence suggesting that they are at least 200 million years old. 

The Wollemi pine is highly slow-growing, taking approximately ten years to reach about 5 meters in height. As a result of their limited numbers, they are considered one of Australia’s most endangered and vulnerable species of tree. Due to these long growth cycles, it is estimated that they take around 20-30 years before they reach sexual maturity and can produce seeds.

Under Federal Protection

The species was discovered in 1994 and is now protected under federal law as it is one of the most endangered plants in the world. There are efforts to increase their numbers, with a small number of trees being planted in local botanical gardens to protect them until they are strong enough to survive on their own.

Despite these efforts, many scientists believe that due to the large-scale habitat destruction that has taken place in Australia over recent decades, it is unlikely that we will ever see them return to their former glory.

4. Where Did They Come From?

The Wollemi Pines are believed to be a relic from the time of Gondwana, around 100 million years ago. This long-dead supercontinent formed when Australia, Antarctica, India, and South America were still joined together. The trees are thought to have survived because they grew in deep gorges sheltered from extreme climate changes.

Well Preserved by Nature

There are even theories that they have been growing in Australia for 160 million years! The trees remained undiscovered until 1994, when bushwalkers stumbled across them in a remote gorge in Australia’s Blue Mountains.

When botanists were able to examine these very unusual trees more closely, they were astounded by how primitive they were and how healthy and robust they were.

5. Unique in Appearance

The appearance of Wollemi pines is unique compared to other species of pine tree and, indeed, to any other conifer native to NSW.

They have rough bark which peels off into small strips, revealing patches of pale green beneath, and their needles (leaves) are soft with apple green to the touch. Unlike those of the mountain ash or red cedar, for example.

They also have distinctive curved thorns, which make identification easier.

In their natural habitat, they can grow up to 40 meters tall, but in cultivation, this may reach 60 meters or more if allowed space.

Both the sexes (male and female cones) are present on the same tree. Many people visit the National Park annually to see this remarkable plant in its natural environment. Still, others come too because it has such importance from an evolutionary point of view.

6. How Fast Do They Grow?

Although it can take up to 20 years for Wollemi pines to reach full maturity, trees as young as three can be transplanted into your garden or outdoor space.

Ideal Conditions

These trees grow in an isolated site within Wollemi National Park.

• Can tolerate temperatures from -5 to 45 degrees Celsius ( 23 to 113 degrees F).
• Prefer acidic soil that ranges from slightly to moderately alkaline with good drainage and should be fertilized year-round with an organic fertilizer like cottonseed meal.
• They are drought-tolerant and can tolerate short periods of freezing temperatures but need protection from extreme heat.

Growing Tips

Cuttings usually propagate them due to their rarity and endangered status. Given that it takes a long time for them to mature, you may want to consider purchasing a small tree rather than growing your cutting. This will ensure you have more mature trees in your garden as soon as possible to reap all their health benefits!

A two-year-old Wollemi pine only reaches a height of 12–16 inches (30–40 cm), so if you purchase one or have one grown for you, keep in mind that it takes time to develop.

Watering and Other Crucial Parameters

It is crucial to water your Wollemi pine regularly while growing, with a thorough watering at least once every seven days. During their dormant period, they need less water but should still be watered every two or three weeks.

To encourage optimum growth and development, use compost to supplement your soil and an acidic fertilizer specifically designed for use with conifers.

For example, you can sprinkle 10–15 drops of slow-release fertilizer into each tree’s root ball in late fall and early spring before new growth appears.

Water thoroughly after applying fertilizer, and never add it directly on top of dry bark or trunk; always moisten it first by soaking it in a bucket.

7. Are These Trees Still in Existence?

Yes! It is a living fossil, and some trees are still in existence. These trees’ last known wild populations were found near Sydney, Australia. Scientists discovered six tall pine-like trees in the Blue Mountains just west of Sydney earlier.

After careful study and analysis, they were found to be a new species identified as the Wollemi pine.

The name Wollemi came from a local Aboriginal word meaning ancient. These trees were thought to be millions of years old, and it was such a shock to have found such an incredible tree. It is hard to believe that they have remained entirely unknown in those mountains for all these years.

And now that we know about them, we must ensure they don’t go extinct. As more and more people learn about the Wollemi pine, it has been not easy to maintain their natural habitat because so many people want to see them.

It is essential to be respectful when seeing these trees so that others can enjoy them for generations.

8. Where Can You See Them?

Blue Mountains National Park

For such a fantastic plant, it’s surprising that it has taken so long to make them available to everyone. The Wollemi National Park, where they were discovered in the Blue Mountain region, is home to a beautiful range of natural attractions.

It contains gorges, mountains, waterfalls, and many other beautiful plants, including those typical of eucalyptus forests. 

Private Nurseries and Landowners

The Wollemi Pines have been planted at several different sites within these forests by Blue Mountains Forests Grow and private owners who have bought their trees from nurseries or through special programs set up by New South Wales Forestry Corporation.

Localities near New South Wales

Only a few thousand of these trees have been planted in their natural home—it would be devastating if they were to become extinct again! There are eucalyptus forests all over Australia, so even if you don’t live in New South Wales, you might be lucky to find one nearby.

If not, you can always visit and see a Wollemi Pine at some of Australia’s many botanic gardens. Some even host special activities related to these beautiful trees.

9. How Do You Know If You Found a Wollemi Tree?

By Their Geometry and Appearance

Wollemi Pines are a rare type of tree, and one way to tell if you have found a Wollemi is to measure the trunk circumference. It may be a Wollemi pine between 4 cm and 8 cm.

Another way to tell if you found a Wollemi tree is by looking for the distinctive ‘warty’ bark on the trunk. Warty means rough in appearance or feeling, and this characteristic helps identify this type of tree.

By DNA testing

A more scientific way to identify Wollemi trees is with DNA testing. Since so few specimens are left in the world, many would like to know how many individuals exist at each location.

DNA sampling has been used successfully in other areas of conservation work, and we hope that scientists will also use it here as well

Contact Ecologists

If you have found a Wollemi pine and want to report it, don’t hesitate to contact ecologists in NSW National Parks by phone or email. They will also be very interested in taking your photograph so they can add it to their records.

Grow at Home

While digging up or taking a Wollemi pine from public land is illegal, you can still have one in your backyard. You can help spread their seeds in local bushland by putting them on your garden compost heap and adding fresh mulch. This will keep the seeds safe until they germinate into a new Wollemi tree.

Mulching your garden is also a great way to share Wollemi pines with others. It is also an excellent way to help save water and reduce weeds.

If you want more information on how you can plant and protect Wollemi pine, check out ‘Plant it 2020‘, an initiative by local councils to promote community gardening in their area.

You can also search for Ancient Wollemi pines resurgent to know more about Wollemia Nobilis.

‘The Living Fossils’

We hope this blog has given you a new perspective on the Wollemi pine. This fascinating tree can be found in an area of less than one square mile, making it one of the rarest trees in the world.

Luckily, we may not see it go extinct soon due to global warming and its ability to adapt. So, while they might not be around forever, they are still worth our attention and care because they are a part of our natural history.

Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by namitasoren