Its habitat is cool and moist, compared to the surrounding environment, especially the sandstone ridges above. The oldest fossil of the rare pine species dates back 90 million years and the pines are thought to have existed during the Jurassic period. A specialist team of remote area firefighters have helped to save the prehistoric Wollemi Pines from this season’s bushfires, confirmed Environment Minister Matt Kean. Mr Kean said the threat peaked towards the end of last year, including a period of about four days when it was unclear if the pines had been spared. Wollemi pines can grow 130 feet tall and have dark, nodule-covered bark similar to black popcorn. Dog Friendly Accomodation Currently known only from a very wet and sheltered gorge in the Wollemi National Park, in a rugged mountainous area of the Blue Mountains within 200 km north-west of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia (Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney 1999). While one population of a couple of trees was lost, the remaining 200 made it. Bark of W. nobilis. 29 likes. Read all the latest news on Wollemi Pines. The secret mission to save Australia's prehistoric trees. Wollemi Pines are handsome trees that date back to the dinosaur era. "Losing it would have added to the catastrophe we have seen elsewhere.". Dr. Cathy Offord, Royal Botanical Gardens Sydney Fast Facts The Wollemi Pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest trees. Some of the rare pines have been charred by the bushfire. It is related to the Bunya and Norfolk Island Pine and has a similar pyramid shape when mature. "Wollemi National Park is the only place in the world where these trees are found in the wild and, with less than 200 left, we knew we needed to do everything we could to save them," Matt Kean, the NSW environment minister, said in a statement. The Gospers Mountain fire alone burnt through more than 512,000 hectares before crews contained the blaze in recent days. Wollemi pines have also been presented by Australian prime ministers and foreign affairs ministers to various dignitaries around the world. Saving the area was not only important for preserving the pines, which have now been propagated by nurseries at home and abroad since their discovery a quarter of a century ago. About the Wollemi Pine..... "Having a Wollemi Pine in the garden allows everyone to help conserve this unique endangered species." Wollemi Pine – 150mm pot (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. Swathes of the Wollemi National Park have been affected by the devastating bushfires and some of the precious pine trees have been charred. Video footage captured by cameras shows fires approaching the pines, with some becoming charred. The NSW government had carried out a detailed scientific assessment and, while some trees have been damaged, the species has survived, he said. Wollemi Pines are now available for the retail and landscape market. Wollemi pines have existed for millions of years, yet it wasn't until by chance in 1994 that a grove of these pines was discovered in Wollemi National Park, 200km from Sydney. "When the pines were discovered in 1994, you might as well have found a living dinosaur," Mr Kean said. A NPWS firefighter looks up at one of the ancient Wollemi pines he has been sent in to protect. Cris Brack, an associate professor at the Australian National University, said fossil evidence indicates that the trees existed between 200 and 100 million years ago and were once present across the whole of Australia. Other common names Wollemi pine . While most of the Wollemi National Park has been burnt by the huge Gospers Mountain fire north-west of Sydney, specialist remote-area fire crews managed to ensure the so-called "dinosaur trees" survived. Large air tankers of fire retardant were dropped inside the remote grove as part of the mission, while specialist firefighters attached to helicopters were winched down to set up an irrigation system to protect the trees from. A firefighter is lowered from a helicopter hovering above the Wollemi stand. Ageing the current crop is difficult because they may be cloned from only a few trees or even a single individual. The National Parks and Wildlife Service, backed by the Rural Fire Service, kept their efforts largely a secret to avoid revealing the location of the Wollemi pines. Trees or even a single individual Hannam writes on environment issues for the retail landscape... 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