Dinosaur Plants
come under the Hammer
Sally McGeoch & Carmen Welss

Australia’s own living fossil, the world famous Wollemi Pine, will come under the hammer at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney from 14 – 23 October.

Two Wollemi Pines ready for the auction. Photo: Botanic Gardens Trust

The “Wollemi Pine Grove”, which mimics the pine’s wild habitat, brings the wilderness to the city and creates a suitable setting for the auction of the first commercially raised Wollemi Pines.

National Parks and Wildlife Officer David Noble discovered the Wollemi Pine in the Blue Mountains 11 years ago. In the grove at the Botanic Gardens we all can now experience the fascination of this spectacular find.

Before 1994 the pines were only known from fossils dating back 90 million years. Since the cluster of about 100 living trees was discovered in Wollemi National Park, scientists revealed a number of astonishing secrets. Not only has this species survived unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs, genetic tests also found that all existing pines in the wild are clones - a mystery that is yet waiting to be solved.

Each Collector’s Edition pine is a sapling from one of these trees and can be traced back to its parent tree in the wild. There will be less than 300 trees available as part of 148 lots for auction which will range from single trees to an avenue of 20 trees from the same parent.

At up to three years of age, the Collector’s Edition trees are youngsters compared to their parent trees in the wild. Their current height of three meters however will be more appealing to many bidding gardeners than the fully grown giants they will turn into.

To ensure a happy bond between the pines and their new owners, each tree will come with its own authentication certificate and care instructions.

Pre registration for the auction and bidding will commence with the release of the Sotheby’s Wollemi Pine auction catalogue in September.

In April 2006, the second release of Wollemi Pines will be available in selected garden centres in Australia as well as available online and via mail and phone order. These Wollemi Pines will range in size from 40cm to 1.2m and will be suitable for use as patio and indoor plants, great feature trees and unique gifts for special occasions.

The Collector’s Edition auction and general sales will raise money for conservation of the Wollemi Pine and other endangered plant species.

To register your interest in purchasing a Wollemi Pine or just keep up with the latest news, you can join the Wollemi Pine Conservation Club at www.wollemipine.com or mail Wollemi Pine International at Suite 30, 20-28 Maddox St Alexandria 2015.

The Pine that Time Forgot

Wine with the pine that once was a snack for dinosaurs. On Friday 14 October 2005, put on your cocktail outfit for drinks in truly exclusive company. $75 per person gets you exquisite drinks at a venue that is accessible only to selected guests and for a limited time only. Walk among the pines at the “Wollemi Pine Grove” in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. The grove mimics the gorge where the pines were first discovered in the Wollemi wilderness north of Sydney and is only accessible to selected visitors such as Foundation guests. The Foundation has supported the conservation of the Wollemi Pine since its discovery. All funds raised at this function will purchase land in the Wollemi Wilderness.

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