Wollemi pines
Wollemi pines have been dubbed the ‘dinosaur tree’ because fossil records show they were living 200 million years ago alongside the dinosaurs. It was thought they had become extinct between 70 and 90 million years ago until a chance discovery in 1994, when a small group of living trees was found by an Australian explorer and botanist, David Noble, growing in a remote gorge in the Wollemi National Park in New South Wales.
The tree species is now classified as critically endangered and is on the IUCN’s red list. Since its discovery, there has been a concerted effort to insure the species against the loss of the remaining 100 wild trees, which are increasingly vulnerable to threats from diseases and wildfires.
As part of this project Forestry England Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest has used Air-Pot containers to grow over 170 Wollemi pines for planting at 28 botanic gardens in the UK and Europe; with 6 being planted at Bedgebury.
It’s always hard to guarantee success growing a living thing, and all the more important when it’s a critically endangered plant. We therefore use the Air-Pot system – the best way we know to ensure successful establishment.
Dan Luscombe – Forestry England Bedgebury National Pinetum
You can find out more about the project at https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury-national-pinetum-and-forest/wollemi-pines