Common names: Wollemi Pine 

Irish name: N/A 

Latin name: Wollemia nobilis 

Family: Origin: Non-native 

Tree type: Conifer

How it looks

Shape, bark, twigs 

The Wollemi pine is a tall conifer, reaching up to 130 feet with a slender crown. It often grows with multiple trunks from the base. The bark is a key identifier: dark brown to reddish-brown, with a bumpy, nodular look. Wollemi pine twigs have leaves arranged in a spiral pattern. These leaves are stiff, flat, and linear. Young twigs feature shorter, fern-like leaves, while mature twigs have longer leaves, up to 8 cm. The tree sheds entire branches, not individual leaves. 

Buds 

Wollemi pine buds have long-lasting growth potential, allowing them to stay alive and ready to sprout for a long time. A waxy white coating with ruby pink hues protects them in cold weather. These buds can grow into new branches or stems, ensuring the tree's survival. 

Leaves 

Wollemi pine leaves change with age. Young trees have soft, fern-like, dark green leaves. Mature trees have stiff, flattened, yellowish-green leaves (up to 8 cm) adapted to conserve water. Unusually, the tree sheds entire leaf-bearing branches. 

Cones 

The Wollemi pine does not produce flowers or fruit in the traditional sense. Instead, it reproduces through cones, which are characteristic of conifers. It is monoecious, meaning both male and female cones grow on the same tree. The almost spherical female cones grow on the upper branches. 

Similar species 

Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) and Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana): 

Where to find it

The Wollemi pine is native to New South Wales, Australia, specifically found in Wollemi National Park. Within the park, these trees thrive in moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soils.

Cultural importance

History

History

The Wollemi pine takes its name from Wollemi National Park where it was rediscovered in 1994. ‘Wollemi’ is an Aboriginal word, meaning ‘look around you, keep your eyes open and watch out’, while the second part of its Latin name, nobilis, was added in honour of David Noble, the National Parks officer who rediscovered the tree.  

David Noble’s rediscovery of the pines, which had hitherto been deemed extinct, was a monumental find in the world of botany. It has even been referred to as a 'Lazarus taxon', in that like Lazarus from the bible, it has ‘come back from the dead’. However, the surviving population was very small, numbering around 100 individuals. As a result, conservationists throughout the world joined together to guarantee the conservation and propagation of the Wollemi pine. 174 Wollemi pines propagated by the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney were sent to botanic gardens throughout the world, including John F. Kennedy Arboretum, Co. Wexford, and Kilmacurragh in Co. Wicklow. One can also be found in the UCC arboretum.  

The numbers of Wollemi pine in Wollemi National Park are still limited and vulnerable to various threats. In 2019/2020, the 200 surviving Wollemi pine were saved from bushfires by fire fighters, who were brought in especially to protect these rare trees from devastation. 

The Wiradjuri, Dharug, Wanaruah and Darkinjung people have a long held cultural connection with Wollemi National Park, which forms part of their traditional territories. Over one hundred 2000-6000-year-old Aboriginal rock art etchings and archaeological sites have been identified in different parts of the park, evidencing this long and sacred connection to the area. Thus, while the rediscovery of the Wollemi pine is one of the most important botanical breakthroughs in modern times, it is likely that Aboriginal peoples were aware of, and interacted with, this tree for thousands of years before they were displaced from their lands. Continuing this relationship, the Wiradjuri First Nation are actively involved in the conservation of the National Park and work tirelessly alongside the wider community to protect the area from threat of forest fires and coal mining. 

Value to wildlife

The Wollemi pine, a critically endangered "living fossil," supports biodiversity by providing potential shelter and food for wildlife within its unique, ancient ecosystem.

Threats

The Wollemi pine is classified as Critically Endangered due to its extremely limited numbers and genetic diversity. Fewer than 100 mature trees are known to exist in the wild, making the species highly vulnerable. 

Uses

The Wollemi pine is classified as Critically Endangered due to its extremely limited numbers and genetic diversity. Fewer than 100 mature trees are known to exist in the wild, making the species highly vulnerable. 

References

Botanic Gardens Conservation International. 2023. Saving the Wollemi Pine: A Story of Global Cooperation, Botanic Gardens Conservation International.Saving the Wollemi Pine: A Story of Global Cooperation | Botanic Gardens Conservation International (bgci.org) 

Botanic Gardens of Sydney. n.d. Wonders of Wollemi, Botanic Gardens of Sydney. Wonders of Wollemi | Botanic Gardens of Sydney 

Eastwood, K. 2014. Sacred Wollemi, Australian Geographic, March-April 2014. S 91.5 Sacred Wollemi.pdf (mukurtu-nsw.org.au) 

Grimshaw, J. and Bayton, R., n.d. Wollemia nobilis. Trees and Shrubs Online. Available at: https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/wollemia/wollemia-nobilis/ [Accessed 12 February 2025]. 

Jack, V. 2021. A Community’s Resolve, Wilderness Journal, 014. Wilderness Society | Wilderness Journal #014 

Missouri Botanical Garden, n.d. Wollemia nobilis. [online] Available at: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=291688 [Accessed 12 February 2025]. 

Morton, A. 2020. 'Dinosaur trees': firefighters save endangered Wollemi pines from NSW bushfires, The Guardian. 'Dinosaur trees': firefighters save endangered Wollemi pines from NSW bushfires | Bushfires | The Guardian 

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. n.d. The legendary Wollemi Pine, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Blog. The legendary Wollemi Pine | Blog - NSW National Parks 

OPW. 2024. wollemi Pine – exciting developments in the conservation of one of the world’s most endangered trees, OPW Website. Wollemi Pine – exciting developments in the conservation of one of the world’s most endangered trees | Heritage Ireland 

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. 2024. Wollemia nobilis - Wollemi pine, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Wollemi pine - Wollemia nobilis | Plants | Kew 

Wilderness Society. 2024. Wollemi. Wilderness Society. Wilderness Society | Wollemi