Wollemi Pine

There are fewer than 100 Wollemi Pines known to exist in the wild. It is one of the rarest and oldest trees in the world.

The Wollemi Pine, Wollemia nobilis, was discovered in a national park in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, in 1994.

Image credit: National Parks NSW

Much effort has gone into safeguarding the survival of this ancient tree. Its location in the wild is generally kept confidential and propagation methods have been exhaustively explored.

The Wollemi Pine forms male and female cones on the same tree - monoecious. Male cones form in early summer and female cones appear in late summer usually on the upper branches and they are pollinated in the following spring. 

Male cones on 'Drouin's' Wollemi Pine

Since 2006, the species has been available to the public through garden centres and nurseries as part of the strategy to ensure its continued existence.

Now, thanks to a very generous donation by the Holt family, Drouin has its own Wollemi Pine in Alex Goudie Park. Hopefully, the Holt Wollemi Pine will help continue the viability of this special species.