I know, the website did say that they would be available in the spring, but I am not sure if I can wait that long. I told my wife about the auction hinting about an early Christmas gift, but she just laughed.....I don't blame her :>

Yeah, sounds to me like you can count on getting a sweater...

That's funny Karin.

Their email reply to some of my question said, that they won't be in the US or Canada until 2006.

Here is some info I have.

Hi Ron,

Thank you for your kind words.

There has been extensive trialling done on the plant and the Wollemi Pine
has proved to be a a very hardy plant and will adapt to many conditions. We
have seen it trialled in conditions from 23 to 113 F.

The Wollemi Pine is also a great indoor plant. You can keep it in a pot
almost indefinitely and as long as it gets some good light, the Pine will be
very strong and healthy. The Pines also tolerate air-conditioning. To find
out more information about caring for a Wollemi Pine please visit
http://www.wollemipine.com/care_information.php

Thanks for your interest and stay tuned to when the Wollemi Pine will be
available in the States.

Kind regards,

Anna Kalinowska
Marketing Assistant

Wollemi Pine International
Suite 30, 20-28 Maddox Street
Alexandria NSW 2015
p: +61 2 9516 4780
f: +61 2 9557 2402
e: anna@wollemipine.com

w: www.wollemipine.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron [mailto:rec7@verizon.net]
Sent: Tuesday, 8 November 2005 11:16 AM
To: Wollemi Pine Conservation Club
Subject: Re: Wollemi Watch: Issue 9

Hello, what a great idea, making an endangered species available to the
world.

I have one question that I couldn't find any specefic information on.....
Hardiness?

Has any testing been conducted to determine its low temperature survival
threshold?

Thank you for you answer and more importantly, Wollemi thanks you!

R.C.
Peabody, Masscachusetts
USA

Wollemi Pine Conservation Club wrote:

>> Wollemi Watch Wollemi Pine logo
>>
>> ISSUE_9
> >>>> >> Newsflash: Wollemi Pine Auction Success
>>>> >> Behind the Scenes: David Crust
>>>> >> Australians can now advance order Wollemi Pines
>>>> >> The Wollemi to become NZ's first imported plant in 7 years
>>>> >> Fact File: Wollemi Pine Recovery Plan Updated
> >>
>>
>> Welcome to the ninth edition of the Wollemi Watch, a quarterly
>> newsletter for Wollemi Pine enthusiasts everywhere.
>>
>> It has been an exciting few months with the global launch and auction
>> of the First Generation Collectors Edition Wollemi Pines. In this
>> edition we report on the success of the launch and also announce the
>> opportunity for Australian based Wollemi Pine Conservation Club
>> Members to place an advance order for a Wollemi Pine for the April
>> 2006 release. We reveal the progress of plans to import the Wollemi to
>> New Zealand, profile a key player on the Wollemi Pine Recovery Team
>> and present the latest information on the updated Recovery Plan and
>> "critical habitat" recommendation.
>>
>> Get your new wallpaper
>>
>>
>> Newsflash: Wollemi Pine Auction Success
>> Newsflash: Wollemi Pine Auction Success
>>
>> The launch and auction of the Collectors Edition Wollemi Pines was a
>> great success and a fitting tribute to 11 years of research and
>> conservation work. Thousands of Wollemi enthusiasts visited the
>> "Wollemi Pine Wilderness Unveiled" exhibition at the Sydney Royal
>> Botanic Gardens (Oct 14-23) and the Sotheby's auction was
>> unprecedented with 100% of the 292 trees sold and over A$1,000,000
>> raised.
>>
>> Read the full story >> Click Here
>>
>>
>> Behind the Scenes with David Crust
>> Behind the Scenes with David Crust
>>
>> David Crust manages over 350 000 hectares of protected lands,
>> including the Wollemi National Park, for the NSW National Parks and
>> Wildlife Service in Mudgee. David is also on the Wollemi Pine Recovery
>> Team and oversees the bi-annual scientific research visits to the wild
>> population of Wollemi Pines.
>>
>> Read the full story >> Click Here
>>
>>
>> Australians can now advance order Wollemi Pines
>> Australians can now advance order Wollemi Pines
>>
>> Prices and ordering details for the general release of the ancient and
>> rare Wollemi Pine are now available. A range of plants will be
>> available from April 2006, however advance ordering will guarantee
>> availability. The two available sizes are a 150mm pot size (approx.
>> 40cm tall plant) and a 200mm pot size (approx. 60cm tall plant) with
>> RRPs from A$55 and A$95 respectively. This is your chance finally to
>> secure your own living fossil.
>>
>> Read the full story >> Click Here
>>
>>
>> The Wollemi to become NZ's first imported plant in 7 years
>> The Wollemi to become NZ's first imported plant in 7 years
>>
>> The Wollemi Pine is set to become the first new registered plant in
>> New Zealand since 1998 with the Environmental Risk Management
>> Authority (ERMA New Zealand) approving the importation of the ancient
>> and rare species. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)
>> protocols are yet to be finalised but it is expected that New
>> Zealanders will soon be able to acquire their own Wollemi Pines.
>>
>> Read the full story >> Click Here
>>
>>
>> Wollemi Pine Recovery Plan Update
>> Fact File: Wollemi Pine Recovery Plan Update
>>
>> The recently updated Wollemi Pine Recovery Plan identifies
>> conservation actions over the next five years. Key to the success of
>> the Recovery Plan, is the recommendation to declare the area, 1% of
>> the Wollemi National Park, a "critical habitat".
>>
>> Read the full story >> Click Here
>>
>>
>> Want to experience the Wollemi Wilderness? Download your own Wollemi
>> wallpaper >> Click Here
>>
>>
>> The name "Wollemi Watch" reflects the aboriginal meaning of the word
>> Wollemi which translates to "watch out, look around you" and is also
>> descriptive of the rugged wilderness of the Wollemi National Park
>> where the Wollemi Pine was discovered.
>>
>> Photos: Anna Kalinowska, Warren Field/Australian Geographic and Jaime
>> Plaza.
>> This message comes to you from The Wollemi Pine Conservation Club.
>> This is a free, low-volume, announcement-only email list. To find out
>> more about the Wollemi Pine, visit our website at
>> http://www.wollemipine.com or email info@wollemipine.com. Your details
>> will not be passed on to any other group or individual. If you have
>> been forwarded this message and would like to subscribe to this list,
>> subscribe at our website at http://www.wollemipine.com/subscribe.php
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

I've asked this same marketing person about likely US suppliers to no avail. I suppose there'll be quarantine issues etc and an unknown amount of demand making importation a gamble. Anyone in the business heard anything?

Frank

I don't know anything at all about these. I see they're determining hardiness. Anybody have any idea about the hardiness and since I haven't seen a photo...why is this tree receiving so much attention.

I'm far misinformed I guess.

Thanks,

Dax

Hi Dax,

Probably zone 9/10 marginal.

Getting lots of attention as it is a new and strange discovery, a bit like Metasequoia did 50 years ago, or Sequoiadendron did 150 years ago.

Resin

Probably, but the testing is not complete: perhaps its hardier. Wait a few years and we will probably have this thingÂs hardiness nailed down pretty good. Most of the first buyers probably wonÂt want to risk their precious plants, but as the price drops expect to see more testing done. Watch and wait,says I.

That's a handsome tree. I just visited the official site for it. Looks in resemblence to a Sciadopity's.

Thanks for the info guys.

Dax

I know in America its survived -10.c/14.f.so
maybe its hardy in zone 8.just have to see if
it will grow in most of Britain i can't wait
to grow one.

Wow, I just bought one on ebay for 10$....

NOT...

I could say I've got one that fell off the back of a lorry . . .

.

.

.

. . . but I haven't :-(

Resin

How about a bird plucking a 3 inch cutting and dropping it into your lap...

It would have to be a Pigeon named Darter.

I've been within a few inches of one... I guess that's my only claim to fame with this tree. (see gallery on this forum) Looking forward to being able to get one!

Don't think they'll survive outdoors here, but I might try one in my greenhouse when it's complete.

I thought this was about one of those new hybrid cars.

...so did I!

It's just gotta be a Volkswagon.

Dax

I woke up with something in my lap and it was just bird-dirt.

Wollemi, oh oh, Coniferae, oh oh oh oh.

I received mine yesterday. My Wollemi Pine is placed in some kind of tree bark, which is completely dry and light and which is not really a soil and the tree is 7 inches tall in the tallest place (from the bark/soil to the "top") which is far smaller than National Geographic pages promises to deliver: "the trees are approximately 10" -14" tall". Has anyone else received a 7 inch tall tree placed in tree bark?

The instruction helps a lot, but does not say anything about the "bark" that the tree is placed in nor it has any explanation why the tree is only 7" tall at most.

The way National Geographic handles orders:

- Ordered around January 7, 2007
- Their site says the tree is 10" to 14" tall
and ships via EXPRESS MAIL, which cost $22.95 (ok)
- The tree cost $99.95 (ok)
- Received on February 1, 2007 via GROUND SERVICE
almost month later and the tree is MAXIMUM 6-7" inches tall (not ok).

National Geographic has lied to me about the partial refund of the shipping cost and the partial refund of the tree. They never refunded any money except the miserable $2 to me. All their numerous promises and lies remain in their mouths.

Neonrider... How is your wollemi doing? Did you seek a partial refund because of the small size of the tree... or has something happened? I can't wait for these trees to become reasonably priced. Might buy a half dozen....

I got one this summer (summer 2007) from a nursery i northern germany (I live in Denmark). Saw them available also in the Kew Gardens nursery this summer.

I had it outside in my garden, but when temperatures started dropping below 0.c the needles started to get yellow. Actually I'm sure it can survive -5.c or maybe even -10.c, but I didn't want to take the risk so I put it in my coldhouse (+2.c in the winter).

Its going back to the garden in april or may.

Mine perished during the hot and humid Atlanta summer.

Any word on whether the Wollemi can handle the soil pathogens that are typical of North America?

I bought one of the original public issue for £97, from the official agents in Cornwall. I was most impressed with it when it arrived. It was about 2'6" tall and came beautifully packed in its own printed carton. I kept it in its pot over the first winter, outside, but up against the house. I planted it out in May and it put on about a foot of growth this year. It is unprotected, save for a rabbit cage and has produced its white waxy growing tip over this winter....which, incidentally, it did not do, up by the house. We have only had a few hard frosts so far, down to about minus 6 centigrade, which is about as low as it gets here and it does not seem to mind at all. Hopefully I have not spoken too soon, as we have a way to go before winter is over. It is agreat pity that the US distribution system seems to be so utterly hopeless. I know the prices quoted in the US are less than here, but at least we can get them and they are now appearing in garden centres as well. I can not help thinking that keeping them as house plants will prove futile as they should quickly outgrow their welcome.

It seems as though getting ahold of a Wollemi is fairly difficult in the U.S. right now. Just for your info, I have several of them. Anyone interested can email me directly and I will see what I can do.

National Geographic still has them for sale as of last December in their Christmas Catalog.

affliction-acs,
I'm a fellow Ontarian and am interested, but I don't see your address anywhere.
Could you share your address or feel free to email me at skulsz@hotmail.com

Thanks,
Nate

I bought mine in BC at a nursery for $60, everywhere else has them over $100.
They are out there (in Canada) maybe try calling all the nurseries and florists around you.