The Wollemi pine, a rare “dinosaur tree” rediscovered in Australia, is now on display in the UK; find out exactly where to see this critically endangered species.
- To skip the explanation, and book tickets to the Eden Project, head this way.
The history of the Wollemi pine
For a couple of decades now, I have been mildly obsessed with a tree: the Wollemi pine.
Much of the fascination comes from the fact that, until 1994, no-one had ever seen one. That was when it was stumbled upon in a wilderness area inside Wollemi National Park, around 150km north-west of Sydney.
The exact location of the discovery is still kept as a closely-held secret, while the species has legal protection in Australia.
Five great things to do while you’re in Cornwall
- 👻 Feel the chills in the abandoned cells on a hugely atmospheric tour of Bodmin Jail.
- 🌱 Explore the world’s largest indoor rainforest at the Eden Project.
- 🎬 Discover the Beyond Paradise filming locations around Looe on a specialised tour.
- 🐬 Spot dolphins, seals and porpoises on a RIB sealife safari from Padstow.
- 🏄 Hit the surf in Newquay with a two hour surfing lesson.
How many Wollemi pines are there in the wild?
Fewer than 100 Wollemi pines are thought to be growing in the wild, and they are classified as critically endangered. They are, however, clonable, and the Australian government has presented clones to dignitaries as gifts.
Mature Wollemi pines can grow up to 40 metres tall, although most that can be viewed in the world today are much shorter than that. This is no surprise, given they are not mature trees.
Seeing a Wollemi pine at the Eden Project
Previously, I have only seen one Wollemi pine. It’s in the Sydney Botanic Gardens.
I saw my second yesterday, and it came as a complete surprise. I was at the Eden Project in Cornwall. Shortly after admiring the giant Seed sculpture in the Core building, I walked towards the Mediterranean biome through the gardens. Then suddenly, there it was. I gasped, and gibbered: “Oh my god, it’s a Wollemi pine.”
My family didn’t really understand why I was so excited, but this is a story I’ve followed with interest for a long time.
- Eden Project tickets are cheaper booked in advance. Book here.
Wollemi pines in the UK
The encounter also made me look at how the Wollemi pine has spread to Britain.
It turns out that they’re not as rare as I might have thought. A company in Saltash, Cornwall, is now selling Wollemi pines, while six were planted at the Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest in Kent in 2023.
You can also see them at Kew Gardens in London, while the Pear Tree Garden in Worcestershire has just had its specimen produce seeds for the first time. You can buy Kew Gardens admission tickets here.
The Tahina palm at the Eden Project
The great thing about seeing the Wollemi pine at the Eden Project, however, was that I also found a new rare tree to get mildly obsessed with.
Inside the rainforest biome is a Tahina palm from Madagascar. The species was discovered in 2007 and at the time of planting the specimen at the Eden Project in 2024, there were only 29 Tahina palms living wild in the world.
Again, my family weren’t particularly excited by this, but discovering new species of tree on our well-trammelled planet is something I find strangely fascinating. Let’s hope there are more to come.
- Book Eden Project tickets now to secure a spot.
More Cornwall travel
Other Cornwall travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Can you park at the harbour in Polperro?
- How to behave around seals at Lizard Point.
- How to get into the best bit of Tintagel Castle without paying.
- Is it safe to swim at East Looe Beach?
- The joy of learning from your children while travelling.
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