Wollemi Pine

The Wollemi Pine is a critically endangered species dating back to the Jurassic Period, with fewer than 100 mature plants surviving in the wild—all located in a single, remote gorge in Wollemi National Park. The exact location is a closely guarded secret to protect these ancient trees.

As one of the world’s oldest and rarest trees, the Wollemi Pine boasts striking features: unusually dark green, fern-like foliage, deep-red, bubbly bark, and the ability to grow up to 40 metres tall. Mature trees often have multiple trunks—sometimes as many as 40 on a single tree! These remarkable trees produce both male and female cones, and their seeds are equipped with single wings to help them disperse with the wind.

Thought extinct until their rediscovery just 26 years ago by David Noble, a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Officer and avid bushwalker, the Wollemi Pines trace their lineage back 90 million years, as evidenced by fossil pollen records. These “dinosaur trees” are truly living fossils.

Wollemi Pine

Despite their resilience across millennia, Wollemi Pines face significant threats today. One of the most pressing is bushfire. During the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires, the population narrowly escaped major destruction thanks to a coordinated effort by a dedicated team of national park staff, firefighters, and Wollemi Pine researchers.

Accessing the gorge was a challenge due to its rugged, remote terrain. Firefighters were winched in by helicopter to install and operate irrigation systems that increased ground moisture around the pines, reducing the intensity of approaching fires. Helicopters also dropped water on the flames to protect the gorge. These heroic efforts helped minimize damage, preserving this critically endangered species in the wild.

Illegal visitation remains another major threat to the Wollemi Pines. Trampling of regenerating plants and the potential introduction of diseases could devastate the already fragile population. Protecting these ancient trees requires continued vigilance and respect for the delicate ecosystem they inhabit.