Wollemi Pine Growing Guide

What is Wollemi Pine?

Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis) is one of the worlds oldest and rarest trees and dates back to the time of the dinosaurs. It is part of the Araucariaceae or conifer family and was found in 1994 growing in a remote canyon in Wollemi National Park, about 200 km (120 miles) northwest of Sydney. The bark is very distinctive, dark chocolate brown in colour with a bubbly and knobbly appearance.

The new foliage starts off as lime green which forms during Spring and early Summer and as it develops turns to dark green. The foliage is flat and narrow and linear in shape

They are arranged spirally on the shoot but twisted at the base to appear in two or four flattened ranks. As the leaves mature, they develop from bright lime-green to a more yellowish-green

The Wollemi Pine is a majestic conifer that grows up to 40 metres high in the wild with a trunk diameter of over one metre. It has unusual pendulous foliage with light apple green new tips in spring and early summer contrasting against the older dark green foliage. Another unique feature is its pattern of branching with the mature foliage having two ranks of leaves along the branches.

Growth

In optimal conditions a young Wollemi Pine (up to 18 months of age) will grow around one metre each year, while a more mature plant will grow around one metre per year-perhaps reaching a height twenty metres during its lifetime. If the plant is not fertilised or kept in medium to low light conditions, it will grow more slowly.

For an outdoor living area such as a balcony or courtyard, choose a sheltered location out of the full sun. If placed directly from shade into the full sun, the plant may develop some tip-burn and yellowing of the foliage-as do other rainforest and Araucariaceae species. It will however, regain its regular deep green appearance.

Indoors, your Wollemi Pine should be placed in a well-lit position preferably near a window or doorway. As with all indoor plants, especially trees, the Wollemi Pine occasionally needs to be placed outdoors in a sheltered, shaded area. It is recommended this be done for one week out of every month.

• If kept indoors, place the plant in a well-lit position near a window or doorway, and take it outside to a sheltered position one week in every month.

(Wollemia nobilis)

The Wollemi Pine is one of the world’s oldest and rarest plants dating back to the time of the dinosaurs. With less than 100 adult trees known to exist in the wild, the Wollemi Pine is now the focus of extensive research to safeguard its survival. Assist in the conservation effort by growing your own Wollemi Pine and becoming part of one of the most dramatic comebacks in natural history. It has dark green mature foliage and bubbly bark. Quite often they are multi trunked and can grow up to 10-15m however they can be kept as a stunning feature plant in a good size pot.

Benefits of Growing Wollemi Pine

As the Wollemi Pine can be maintained in a pot almost indefinitely, it is well suited to patios, verandahs and courtyards. It can also be used as indoor decoration in well lit areas as it is able to tolerate air-conditioning.

How to Grow Wollemi Pine

Climatic Zones

Cool to tropical.

Plant Size

Height: 10-15m, Width: 2.5m

When To Plant Wollemi Pine

Plant in spring or early summer, once the last frost has passed.

Soil Preparation

Sandy soil with good drainage is recommended. Be wary of waterlogged soil.

How To Plant Wollemi Pine

Plant in full sun, 30-40cm apart with the plant crown at soil level.

• If planting in the garden, ensure the hole you dig is at least twice the width of the pot.

Re-potting/Planting

The pot which contains your Wollemi Pine is biodegradable. You should re-pot your plant within 3 to 4 months into a larger pot using a good-quality potting mix, (one for Australian Natives). The plant can be maintained in a pot almost indefinitely, which makes it ideal for patios, verandahs and courtyards, as well as indoors.

If planting a single specimen in your garden, choose a well drained, fertile site and leave a 2.5 metre radius around the tree. If you wish to create a grove or hedge effect, plant the trees around 1-2 metres apart. Remove your Wollemi Pine from its biodegradable pot before planting,then crush and place the pot in your compost bin or garden.

Wollemi Pine Plant Care

The Wollemi Pine can be pruned heavily, with as much as two-thirds of the plant size removed. You can prune both the upright stems and the branches. New buds will usually generate from below the cut, and to stimulate growth after pruning add a slow release granular fertiliser.

It is best to prune in the winter months for large diameter stems and branches (greater than 5cm). Use sterile, sharp pruning equipment to match the size of the stem or branch being pruned.

If your Wollemi Pine has been planted in the garden as a feature tree, there is no need to prune unless you wish to reduce its size or encourage multiple-stemming.

For more information or FAQ visit www.wollemipine.com.

• Water as soon as the potting mix/soil becomes dry in the top 5cm of the pot-every one or two weeks. Do not over water or leave the pot sitting in a saucer of water.
• Use a slow release, low phosphorus granular fertiliser and feed with liquid fertiliser for optimum growth.
• Prune in the winter months to maintain a compact form.