'Living fossils' in high demand in Hunter
From the Spring 2006 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Forests NSW retail nursery at Muswellbrook has set a milestone for conservation by topping the Australia-wide sales of the rare Wollemi pine.
“All interested retail outlets went through a scrutiny and selection process arranged by Wollemi Pine International Pty Ltd, the exclusive commercial marketing owner of the Wollemi pine worldwide,” said Forests NSW nurseries operations and business development manager, Steve Sullivan.
“The release of the plants was an operation of almost military logistics to ensure they reached sales outlets but were secure until the national release on 1 April, 2006.
“Our nurseries offered a reputable partnership with the biggest network in rural New South Wales.”
Forests NSW nurseries at Muswellbrook, Gunnedah, Inverell, Dubbo, Narrandera, Forbes, Wagga Wagga and Cumberland (Sydney) took part.
“Muswellbrook pre-sold more than 600 pines many months in advance – the largest order in the country,” Steve said.
“In total, Forests NSW nurseries pre-sold more than 2000 pines.”
Described as a ‘living fossil’, the rare Wollemi pine dates back to the Jurassic period close to 200 million years ago.
Steve said that Forests NSW has also been the principal driver behind the release of many other new, but less horticulturally significant, plants.
“One example is the range of ‘summer’ grafted dwarf eucalypts such as ‘summer red’ and ‘summer beauty’. These are cultivar cross bred eucalypts on grafted rootstock that have been widely-promoted on gardening shows,” Steve said.
Public Affairs & Media, Coffs Harbour
