The Wollemi Pine lived during the time of the dinosaurs, and has been thought to be extinct for over 200 million years. In 1994 in an EXTREMELY remote and deep canon in the Wollemi National Park of Australia, a hiker found a very strange tree with bark that looked like boiling chocolate. Upon telling the Royal Horticultural Society of Australia a search by the Royal Horticultural Society of Australia was immediately started. They found a dozen trees existing in the remote canyon (only spot in the entire world). The Wollemi Pine existed for the last 200 million years ONLY in a very small spot of this remote canyon. This is called the greatest horticultural find of the century, many say the greatest find of all time. It would be the same as finding a baby dinosaur still alive. For the very first time the tree has become available in the United States through the National Geographic Society. A 10 to 14 inch tree is available for $100.00 plus shipping. I purchased one and I am having it shipped next day air. How AMAZING life can be. For information type Wollemi Pine in your search engine and read on. - Millet

That is amazing!!!
Good luck with yours!!!
Thanks for the info!!!
Think I might have to order one in the spring.. IF I can talk hubby in to it.. I think it is great the money goes to conservation...

Gina *BabyBlue*

Congratulations Millet-- I saw a brief segment on Discoveries this week a while back-- They showed video of the trees in the canyon-- If I remember correctly they looked kinda like Norfolk Island Pines but not as much taper. Very interesting!

Skeet

Hey, Millet, Gina is trying to get me into trouble with my wife and talked me into taking a look at this thread. Any update on how your Wollemi Pine is doing? Are there more of these available? Gina knows I'm a sucker for Ae Ae bananas and threw the bait out for me to nibble!

The Wollemi pine is doing quite well. So far it has had two growth flushes. I purchased my tree from the National Geographic Society. I have no idea if they are still available or not. I can tell you the tree certainly has a prehistoric look to it. I have the tree growing in a Root Maker container.

Thanks for the up date Millet!!

National Geographic's web site selling the trees..
http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/jump.jsp?itemID=3288&itemType=PRODUCT

Another site with care instructions..
http://www.ancientpine.com/

General info on Wikipedia about the Wollemia..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wollemia

They are very lovely looking trees!!
Harvey.. Hope your Mrs won't be too mad at me..
I just can't help spread my interest in plants to others..

Gina *BabyBlue*

I got one for christmas last year. It did not grow and died in the summer. They must not like our Gulf Coast hot humid climate.

'

mrtexas wrote:

I got one for christmas last year. It did not grow and died in the summer. They must not like our Gulf Coast hot humid climate.

MrTexas, you could be right. Another thing is that yours may have died because of pathogens, due to high humidity or too much water and here's the info:

"It is also proving to be more adaptable and cold-hardy than its restricted subtropical distribution would suggest, tolerating temperatures between -5°C and 45°C (23° and 113°F), with reports that it can survive down to -12°C (10°F). It also handles both full sun and full shade. Like many other Australian trees, Wollemia is susceptible to the pathogenic water mould Phytophthora cinnamomi, so this may limit its potential as a timber tree." Source: Wollemi Pine research — fungal associations & pathogens. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.

I envy you people! Truly indeed it is a beautiful tree. Most relatives of the Araucaria are beautiful where the Wollemi pine is closely related. Araucaria heterophylla is one of the beautiful pines that can thrive in the hot and humid Philippines. Another one is the Casuarina equisetifolia