Wollemi Pine Living Fossil Tree

Wollemi Pine - Description

• Potted Evergreen Conifer
• Latin Name: Wollemia nobilis
• Common Name: Wollemi Pine
• Known worldwide as the Living Fossil Tree
• Pot Size: 5L
• Current Plant Size: 55-65cm
• One of the rarest trees on Earth and among the greatest botanical discoveries of modern times.
• Believed to have existed for more than 90 million years, when dinosaurs still roamed the planet.
• Thought to be extinct until a small wild population was discovered in Australia's remote Wollemi National Park in 1994.
• An extraordinary collector's plant that brings a genuine piece of prehistoric history into your garden.

Wollemi Pine - Characteristics

• Unique evergreen conifer with soft, fern-like foliage when young
• Mature foliage develops distinctive flattened sprays with a prehistoric appearance
• Remarkable chocolate-brown bark forms characteristic bubbly textures as the tree matures
• Produces both male and female cones on mature specimens
• New growth emerges with attractive lime-green foliage before deepening to rich green
• Winter buds are protected by distinctive waxy caps during dormancy
• Can be grown as a single-stem specimen or allowed to develop into a multi-stemmed architectural tree
• Hardy to approximately -12°C in suitable conditions

Wollemi Pine - Uses

• A true collector's tree and conversation piece
• Ideal for patios, courtyards and large containers
• Makes a spectacular specimen tree in sheltered gardens
• Perfect for botanical collections and contemporary landscape design
• An exceptional gift for gardeners, collectors and plant enthusiasts

Wollemi Pine - Planting & Aftercare

• Grow in full sun or light dappled shade
• Prefers fertile, free-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (approximately 4.5–7)
• Suitable for containers or planting directly into the garden
• Water thoroughly, allowing the top few centimetres of compost to dry slightly before watering again
• Avoid prolonged waterlogging
• Feed in spring and midsummer with a balanced fertiliser to encourage healthy growth
• Little pruning is required, although plants can be shaped or maintained at a desired size
• Choose a sheltered location when planting outdoors in colder areas

Did You Know?

• The Wollemi Pine was unknown to science until 1994, making its discovery one of the most significant botanical finds of the 20th century.
• Fewer than 100 mature trees are believed to exist in the wild, and their exact location is protected to help conserve the species.
• Every cultivated Wollemi Pine helps support conservation efforts and reduces pressure on the wild population.