First-Time Fruit from the Endangered ‘Dinosaur Tree’ Thrills British Gardeners

In a heartwarming story from Malvern, England, a retired couple has made headlines by successfully nurturing a Wollemi pine tree, one of the world’s rarest. This ancient species was once thought to be extinct, living nearly 90 million years ago during the time of the dinosaurs. Its surprise discovery in 1994 near Sydney, Australia, led to efforts to preserve it through cultivation.

Pamela and Alistair Thompson planted a young Wollemi pine sapling in their garden back in 2010. After years of care, this tree has grown to over 13 feet tall and is now bearing fruit for the first time. Pamela, 75, expressed her excitement at seeing the rare tree flourish, hoping to grow seeds to propagate more Wollemi pines.

“It would be amazing to create seedlings from such a rare tree,” she shared. “I never thought I’d be lucky enough to witness this.”

This story isn’t just about a unique tree. Wollemi pines are closely related to monkey puzzle trees and are incredibly valuable due to their scarcity. In fact, a small Wollemi tree can sell for over $1,000, highlighting the significance of conservation efforts. As interest in rare plants grows, understanding their history becomes essential. Historical records show that these trees once thrived in a much different climate, which has since changed drastically.

On May 4, the Thompsons will open their garden to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme, allowing others to learn about this remarkable tree and the importance of plant conservation.

With Wollemi pines embodying a link to the Earth’s past, stories like this ignite fascination about our natural world and emphasize why conservation is so vital today. If you’re intrigued by such rare finds, you might explore other historical plants too, like the ancient ginkgo tree, which has survived for over 200 million years!

For more information on conservation efforts, visit the National Garden Scheme.

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Trees,Conservation,Gardening,England,Prehistoric,Endangered Species