There is a long story about the fiasco that rsulted from the first attempt to introduce and market the plant back in 2006 (too long for me to recount now). It was available from numeorus sources for a while. However, one of the major problems has been that it is EXTREMELY susceptible to Phytophthora root rot (presumably). Countless individuals throughout the east and especially southeastern U.S. have died. This includes specimens at top-notch botanical institutions and in many different conditions. Here, we can grow them in pots - but they are slow and sometimes also die suddenly. Almost always, if you inspect the roots - they are often rotted away. This was evident with the first ones I ordered from NG back in 06. I repotted them in better media and treated them with a fungicide. They eventually grew, but during the wet, humid summer - diseases crept up again. I am going to try grafting onto Agathis robusta this winter to see if that will make them easier to grow. Apparently this is now being done in the more tropical part of Australia where they also die quickly. I still have 4 potted specimens here that I will use for scions. My impression has been that this plant will only really succeed outside in California and similar Mediterranean climates - much like many other native Australian plants. Reports of their success in DC and similar places are likely only temporary as they aren't overly tolerant of cold temps. esp. continental cold outbreaks that occur every 25 years or so. You will also hear of them being grown successfully in Western Europe in maritime climates. Again, if exposed to real cold (below -20 C) they will likely die out. That's my 2c.

Thank you for your update and close-up. I'm glad to see the close up. I do remember your previous post. We are having a taste of autumn. Even though it's mostly sunny, the overnight and high temperature is 10 degrees C. Brrrrrrrr.

Tony, yes you are right, however, population size doesnt provide a greater insight into the reasoning of a restricted occurence, it only illustrates that the refuge is slightly larger for that species. I have thought for a while that the three variables water, fire and competition all act independently and codependently to account for the biogeography in Australian plants. These variables be they a result of Aboriginal or natural climate change they have a massive bearing on species occurences and associated speciation. Wollemia would undoubtedly be suited to the highlands of the Wet Tropics however previous climatic deterioration has led to the demise of Nothofagus and the main element of temperate rainforests 'Eucryphia' is only represented by a single population on one mountain peak (which happens to be the highest in the Wet Tropics). Reiterating, Wollemia would grow in the current days climate as it is cool and wet however the competition from large mesophyll species would undoubtedly bump it out of the habitat. I once grow a Nothofagus cunninghamii in the lowlands of NE NSW where it grew amazingly well attaining a height of 2m in less than 2 years. I planted it in the ground where it quickly died due to a lack of water. This suggests that this species is restricted to sthn Vic and Tas because of milder lower evaporation rates and constant moisture. In the warmer subtropics it is unlikley to control is stomata as efficiently as required and thus it looses water to quickly. A friend has a N .cunninghamii growing well in a wetter site than where I planted mine- thus bolstering my presumption that it isnt temperature its water availability that restricts this species to sth locations. Nothofagus moorei is only common in locations where the forests leaf size is reduced to Notophyll and is wet AND the species only recruits following disturbance and freedom from the notophyll saplings/trees. Thus I think that all three variables are at play and possibly if fire wasnt an element of Australian landscapes that competition is more so a determinate than water. Wollemia has small leaves and thus competition with larger leaved species has undoubtedly resulted in its restricted occurence too, as well as fire because Eucalypts are so common in this area now. Maybe it has become restricted to this locality during a really bad climate deterioration event however hasnt been able to escape and re-expand due to the advance of Eucalypts and associated fire-phylic habitats. Now Im rambling.... From Kris

Great photos MM. Haven't seen one myself in real life as yet. I read an interesting article in Readers Digest (I think it was anyway - read it at the in-laws place a couple of weeks ago). I enjoyed the way the story was written about the history of the pine over the ages. It mentioned something about the phytophora fungus that is starting to affect the trees in the wild. Apparently it is suspected of being brought in by bushwalkers who discovered where the pine is growing. Hopefully the rangers will manage to get it under control. Thanks for the photos.