Rare Prehistoric tree now on display at Planting Fields in Oyster Bay
A rare tree with roots stretching back millions of years has a new home on Long Island.
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A rare tree with roots stretching back millions of years has a new home on Long Island. Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay has added the endangered Wollemi pine to its collection, giving visitors a chance to see a species once thought to be extinct.
The Wollemi pine dates back to the age of the dinosaurs. Scientists believed the tree had disappeared millions of years ago until a small population was discovered in a remote canyon in Australia in 1994. The discovery was considered one of the most significant botanical finds of the 20th century.
Planting Fields is now home to two Wollemi pines, one housed in the Camellia house and another in the Main Greenhouse to give this tree the best chance at thriving. Vincent Simeone, director of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, explains that climate conditions in the Camellia House are cooler in the winter, whereas the tropical house maintains temperatures in the 70s and 80s all year long. Trying this tree in two different, freeze-free climates will give this tree the best chance at survival according to Simeone.
“We're about education and environmental education. And so conservation of plants is part of that," Simeone explains. It was a long process to source these prehistoric trees and bring them to Planting Fields, but the staff is proud to have them.
The species remains critically rare in the wild with just a handful of specimens. Conservation efforts have helped spread the tree across the world, but only about 100 Wollemi pines are believed to be on display in public gardens across the United States, making the new additions a notable part of Planting Fields' living collection.
How to Visit Planting Fields Arboretum
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is located in Oyster Bay. The historic estate spans hundreds of acres and features formal gardens, wooded trails, landscaped grounds and greenhouses filled with plants from around the world.
Visitors can explore the grounds and discover a variety of trees and ornamental plants while learning about horticulture, conservation and the estate's history. The Wollemi pines offer an especially unusual attraction for anyone interested in plants, natural history or the ancient origins of modern forests.
Before visiting, check Planting Fields official website for current operating hours, admission information and greenhouse access, as availability may vary seasonally.
