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Presentation & Press Conference Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 10am PREHISTORIC WOLLEMI PINE WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE CITY OF DALLAS AND THE DALLAS ARBORETUM
The Dallas
Arboretum Dallas, TX—A tree once thought to be extinct for millions of years, will be planted in the Dallas Arboretum in a special ceremony on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 10am, making it only one of the few gardens in the United States to host this botanical gem. "It’s the equivalent of finding a Tyrannosaurus rex in your back yard,” says Jimmy Turner, Director of Horticultural Research at the Arboretum. “We are extremely honored to be one of the first gardens in the U.S. to house this living relic, and are proud to be a part of such a monumental event to help its conservation efforts.” Representatives from the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, with Arboretum President Mary Brinegar will be accepting the tree from Sally McGeoch, Marketing Manager, and Josh Schneider, Managing Director Wollemi Pine North America. The tree will be planted in the new Hardy Palm Collection behind the water walls in the Lay Ornamental Garden. The Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis) was thought to have been extinct for millions of years and was only known from fossils until a small stand of the trees was accidentally found 12 years ago in Australia’s Blue Mountains. Botanists consider the discovery of the Wollemi Pine as the most important find of the 20th century – comparable to finding a living dinosaur. Since its discovery, the Australian government has gone to great lengths to preserve the remaining trees and to ensure that the species has a secure future. Several plantings of this living fossil have already taken place in botanical gardens throughout Europe, and in only select locations in the United States, including the Dallas Arboretum. Fewer than 100 adult trees have survived the millions of years since its presumed extinction. These remaining trees had experienced the reign and demise of the dinosaurs, enduring climatic catastrophes, 17 ice ages and extended periods of drought. Through the proactive conservation of horticultural expertise and commercialization, this precious link to our botanical heritage will not be forever lost. A limited number of first release Wollemi Pines will be available via the National Geographic Holiday Catalog (888-225-5647) and online from October 2006. The Pines will be US$99.95 and will be approximately 10" tall. Proceeds from the sale of the Pine will support National Geographic mission programs, including support for botanical research and studies. More information about the tree is available at www.wollemipine.com The Arboretum is located at 8525 Garland Road on the southeast shore of White Rock Lake in East Dallas. The Dallas Arboretum exists to build and maintain a public botanic garden and arboretum which promotes the art, enjoyment, and knowledge of horticulture, while providing opportunities for education and research. The Dallas Morning News is the Principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. The Arboretum is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park & Recreation Department. WFAA-TV Channel 8 is an Arboretum media sponsor, and American Airlines is the official airline of the Dallas Arboretum. |
webmaster: jturner@dallasarboretum 214-515-6580
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