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The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil from the Age of the Dinosaurs
An enthralling detective story about evolution and natural history, and the botanical find of the the freak survival of a species that offers a window on to an ecosystem one hundred million years old. The discovery has been described as "the equivalent of finding a small dinosaur still alive on Earth."
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 27, 2012
King Billy, believe it or not, is still there today, very much alive. He is believed to be at least 1,000 years old. He is as old as "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu, the world's very first novel, and which the editors of the list decided to include in the 2010 edition of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. He is likewise as old as Beowulf, the old English epic, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. When he first sprouted out from this world, the Crusades were just starting, and the Viking Leif Eriksson had just discovered North America. From then on the world had suffered wars and upheavals where many died in the hands of their fellow human beings and King Billy just stood there, alive, year after year after year until they reached a thousand.
There used to be a lot like him. Around a hundred and fifty million years before, during the Cretaceous Age. How far back was that? Well, first of all, there were no humans yet at that time. The first humans appeared only during the Pliocene Age, around 5.3 Million years ago. Who ruled the world then, when King Billy's ancestors were flourishing? The dinosaurs. In fact, whatever it was that made the dinosaurs extinct King Billy's ancestors suffered from too. And their kind likewise almost became extinct.
If someone had a world map during the time of King Billy's ancestors, you wouldn't find Japan, or my country the Philippines, or the southeast asia we know today, there. The land mass where South America is now had just broken off with what we call now as Africa.
When King Billy (named after a helicopter pilot who used to dangle his helicopter atop him so that someone can pick his flowers) and his companions were discovered in 1994 the experts do not know how to classify them. They have never seen anything like them before. After some studies, they found some fossils of their ancestors and it was then that they realized that they were trees who had lived in abundance a long, long time ago during the time of the dinosaurs. Since they are considered pine trees, some began calling them "pinosaurs."
The place where they were discovered was the Wollemi National Park in Australia, a wild, wild place with lots of deep gorges or crevices where the Empire State Building could fit in. Of the few hardy survivors of these pinosaurs, King Billy was the tallest, biggest and oldest of them all. Experts couldn't explain how they managed to avoid extinction all these millions of years where the world had undergone several ice ages and that Wollemi wilderness had been buried with hot lava flows. So like true brilliant scientists who had run out of scientific explanations they concluded that King Billy and his companions survived out of sheer luck. They were simply luckier than the dinosaurs and those other plants and trees who were their contemporaries millions of years ago and are now forever gone.
It would be nice, like one reviewer of this marvelous book, to have one one such living antiquity in a pot. That could easily be the best Christmas gift I've received ever!
There used to be a lot like him. Around a hundred and fifty million years before, during the Cretaceous Age. How far back was that? Well, first of all, there were no humans yet at that time. The first humans appeared only during the Pliocene Age, around 5.3 Million years ago. Who ruled the world then, when King Billy's ancestors were flourishing? The dinosaurs. In fact, whatever it was that made the dinosaurs extinct King Billy's ancestors suffered from too. And their kind likewise almost became extinct.
If someone had a world map during the time of King Billy's ancestors, you wouldn't find Japan, or my country the Philippines, or the southeast asia we know today, there. The land mass where South America is now had just broken off with what we call now as Africa.
When King Billy (named after a helicopter pilot who used to dangle his helicopter atop him so that someone can pick his flowers) and his companions were discovered in 1994 the experts do not know how to classify them. They have never seen anything like them before. After some studies, they found some fossils of their ancestors and it was then that they realized that they were trees who had lived in abundance a long, long time ago during the time of the dinosaurs. Since they are considered pine trees, some began calling them "pinosaurs."
The place where they were discovered was the Wollemi National Park in Australia, a wild, wild place with lots of deep gorges or crevices where the Empire State Building could fit in. Of the few hardy survivors of these pinosaurs, King Billy was the tallest, biggest and oldest of them all. Experts couldn't explain how they managed to avoid extinction all these millions of years where the world had undergone several ice ages and that Wollemi wilderness had been buried with hot lava flows. So like true brilliant scientists who had run out of scientific explanations they concluded that King Billy and his companions survived out of sheer luck. They were simply luckier than the dinosaurs and those other plants and trees who were their contemporaries millions of years ago and are now forever gone.
It would be nice, like one reviewer of this marvelous book, to have one one such living antiquity in a pot. That could easily be the best Christmas gift I've received ever!
September 15, 2022
Well, regarding James Woodford's 2002 The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs, there is certainly much contained within the pages of this book that is textually both delightfully interesting and also majorly and intensely educational (and yes, when I started reading The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs on Open Library, I also immediately checked if Woodford has included a bibliography, and he has indeed done so, and it is both detailed and research friendly).
And with regard to what James Woodford has presented, we as readers of The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs receive from his pen not only a meticulously detailed account of the September 10th, 1994 discovery of the Wollemi Pine by David Noble, Michael Casteleyn and Tony Zimmerman in a remote and quite inaccessible Australian forest area abutting on the capital city of Sydney, no, we also find much information about living fossils in general, how Wollemi Pines might have survived unchanged for millions of years, as well as how Antartica moving to the polar regions of the Southern Hemisphere when Gondwanaland broke up then doomed this erstwhile lush and verdant landmass to being henceforth covered with huge masses of thick ice, and that the more recent ice ages have left areas like Northern Canada, Scotland, Scandinavia etc. with a serious paucity of deciduous trees.
But even more essential, and even more special (at least for me) is that in The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs James Woodford enlightens us regarding the Wollemi Pine living fossil without EVER making use of annoying and frustrating scientific jargon, and that I most certainly and massively do appreciate being able to not only read but to also completely understand every single part of James Woodford's presented text of The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs without needing, without requiring a college/university or even a senior high school level knowledge of and education in biology, palaeontology, botany, living fossils and the like, that basically EVERYTHING biological, that everything scientific is explained simply, concisely and in a manner that makes The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs suitable for ANY interested reader from about the age of thirteen or so onwards (and that high school biology teachers should in my opinion seriously consider using The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs in the classroom, but to also take into consideration that since The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs was published in 2002, that more recent details about Wollemi Pines such as the fact that Wollemi Pines do rather well as cultivars and that the area where the Wollemi Pines were found was endangered by fire during the 2019 and 2020 Australian bushfire season but that the pines happily were saved by specialist firefighters dropping flame retardants on the grove, this all will of course and naturally not be part of James Woodford's featured text).
Highly and warmly recommended is The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs, and with the only reason for my rating being four and not five stars being that I do personally think that James Woodford sometimes spends just a bit too much time on the human discoverers of both the Wollemi Pines and other examples of living fossils (and that this does in my opinion take some textual space away from science).
And with regard to what James Woodford has presented, we as readers of The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs receive from his pen not only a meticulously detailed account of the September 10th, 1994 discovery of the Wollemi Pine by David Noble, Michael Casteleyn and Tony Zimmerman in a remote and quite inaccessible Australian forest area abutting on the capital city of Sydney, no, we also find much information about living fossils in general, how Wollemi Pines might have survived unchanged for millions of years, as well as how Antartica moving to the polar regions of the Southern Hemisphere when Gondwanaland broke up then doomed this erstwhile lush and verdant landmass to being henceforth covered with huge masses of thick ice, and that the more recent ice ages have left areas like Northern Canada, Scotland, Scandinavia etc. with a serious paucity of deciduous trees.
But even more essential, and even more special (at least for me) is that in The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs James Woodford enlightens us regarding the Wollemi Pine living fossil without EVER making use of annoying and frustrating scientific jargon, and that I most certainly and massively do appreciate being able to not only read but to also completely understand every single part of James Woodford's presented text of The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs without needing, without requiring a college/university or even a senior high school level knowledge of and education in biology, palaeontology, botany, living fossils and the like, that basically EVERYTHING biological, that everything scientific is explained simply, concisely and in a manner that makes The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs suitable for ANY interested reader from about the age of thirteen or so onwards (and that high school biology teachers should in my opinion seriously consider using The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs in the classroom, but to also take into consideration that since The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs was published in 2002, that more recent details about Wollemi Pines such as the fact that Wollemi Pines do rather well as cultivars and that the area where the Wollemi Pines were found was endangered by fire during the 2019 and 2020 Australian bushfire season but that the pines happily were saved by specialist firefighters dropping flame retardants on the grove, this all will of course and naturally not be part of James Woodford's featured text).
Highly and warmly recommended is The Wollemi Pine: The Incredible Discovery of a Living Fossil From the Age of the Dinosaurs, and with the only reason for my rating being four and not five stars being that I do personally think that James Woodford sometimes spends just a bit too much time on the human discoverers of both the Wollemi Pines and other examples of living fossils (and that this does in my opinion take some textual space away from science).
July 22, 2011
This book proves that non-fiction can provide as exciting a narrative as any detective fiction. I read this book when it was first published in 2000, and have re-read it several times. James Woodford, a science and environment journalist, has provided us with a rivetting story about the discovery of a tree that was so ancient that it was unknown to science. Woodford takes us on an enthralling hunt through the fossil record, trawling through paleobotanical data going back to Gondwana times. We learn how this tree survived massive climate changes, continental breakup and drift and different fire regimes to end up as a few genetically identical trees in a deep canyon in a wilderness area only about 150 kms from the city of Sydney.
Woodford doesn't patronise his readers by dumbing down the science, but for all that, this is eminently readable.
As a footnote, the exact location of the grove of wollemi pines remains a secret. However, botanists have used tissue culture from the trees to grow thousands of these plants for the nursery market. I have one in a large pot, and it's growing vigorously in harsh seaside conditions. Hopefully, it will enjoy a long and healthy life!
Woodford doesn't patronise his readers by dumbing down the science, but for all that, this is eminently readable.
As a footnote, the exact location of the grove of wollemi pines remains a secret. However, botanists have used tissue culture from the trees to grow thousands of these plants for the nursery market. I have one in a large pot, and it's growing vigorously in harsh seaside conditions. Hopefully, it will enjoy a long and healthy life!
April 21, 2020
It so happens that I live in the Blue Mountains - and I couldn't believe how a third stand of trees was found by that group of bushwalkers who hired a plane to scout the location - considering how fragile the environment is.
I have looked and looked at maps and I think I know where the gully might be but there is no way I am attempting to enter the land of the giants - long live King Billy.
There is a nursery here in Wentworth Falls that has an original first release Wollemi pine tree in a large pot sitting there in a corner, bored to death, with nothing to look at except customers etc. What a shame it was not planted elsewhere for it to be in a happier place - like in the bush or with other trees. It's at leat 4 meters tall but could be taller and stronger.
I have put an order in for one that I can put in my forest with a hope it one day grows as big and strong as King Billy.
I have looked and looked at maps and I think I know where the gully might be but there is no way I am attempting to enter the land of the giants - long live King Billy.
There is a nursery here in Wentworth Falls that has an original first release Wollemi pine tree in a large pot sitting there in a corner, bored to death, with nothing to look at except customers etc. What a shame it was not planted elsewhere for it to be in a happier place - like in the bush or with other trees. It's at leat 4 meters tall but could be taller and stronger.
I have put an order in for one that I can put in my forest with a hope it one day grows as big and strong as King Billy.
April 6, 2022
Although I found the book’s opening chapters to be a little underwhelming, Woodford soon finds the right mix of scientific details, character observations and intriguing information to create a fine account of the discovery and conservation of this remarkable species.
Natural history always produces great stories of adaptation and survival against considerable factors – these strange ‘dinosaur’ trees possess a unique story written since the beginning of the Cenozoic era; a tale that is at times difficult to accept as a possibility, let alone reality.
Natural history always produces great stories of adaptation and survival against considerable factors – these strange ‘dinosaur’ trees possess a unique story written since the beginning of the Cenozoic era; a tale that is at times difficult to accept as a possibility, let alone reality.
February 15, 2022
A fascinating story on one of the biggest scientific discoveries in our lifetime. This book is written in a way that has depth hidden behind wonderful storytelling. It is not dry like so many books in this genre. It is engaging while providing enough facts and details. Towards the end it did dip a little too much into the historical science but that is personal taste. A refreshing find.
July 4, 2024
More of a plea than a review. Ten years after his last edition It would be good if James Woodford could turn his wordsmithing skills to explaining what we have learned about the biology, genetics and even chemistry of the pinosaur. He is good at simple explanations with a human touch: a third edition would be a valuable contribution.
October 19, 2025
Fascinating. I hope my Wollemi lives up to expectations. i need to work out what will happen to it when I die. It should still be going strong in about 30 years. Maybe donate it to Toowoomba Regional Council.
June 28, 2020
Informative and interesting.
Read
July 22, 2025So interesting I enjoyed reading the Biological aspects of the tree
March 3, 2017
I remember hearing about the discovery of the tree all those years ago when I sort of held my breath as I wondered how such an incredible tree still existed.
I stumbled across this book recently as I wanted to read more of James Woodford's books which I've enjoyed immensely.
I wasn't disappointed by any means as the story of the discovery, and the lengths that those involved went to to keep the pine's location secret, is truly heartwarming. The authorities need to keep it secret as the safety of the Wollemi Pine is vital.
I learnt so much about the painstaking efforts to take samples and validate the authenticity of the suspicions that the pine is indeed a living fossil. I had no idea so much is involved with a project like this. It's like a detective novel with a great outcome as a very valuable life is saved instead of a grizzly end for the hero.
I don't know what it is about trees but I always seem to end up reading about them!
I stumbled across this book recently as I wanted to read more of James Woodford's books which I've enjoyed immensely.
I wasn't disappointed by any means as the story of the discovery, and the lengths that those involved went to to keep the pine's location secret, is truly heartwarming. The authorities need to keep it secret as the safety of the Wollemi Pine is vital.
I learnt so much about the painstaking efforts to take samples and validate the authenticity of the suspicions that the pine is indeed a living fossil. I had no idea so much is involved with a project like this. It's like a detective novel with a great outcome as a very valuable life is saved instead of a grizzly end for the hero.
I don't know what it is about trees but I always seem to end up reading about them!
November 10, 2010
Interesting story about the wollemi pine. I've seen one in person at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew last year. Very unusal tree. A lot of the book was about studying fossils. Also movement of continents and how it affected vegetation. Good stuff.
January 15, 2014
We need writers like James to show us the amazingness (I know it isn't a word but if you say it enough it ends up in the dictionary) of our natural environment. Well researched. Fascinating subject.
February 9, 2021
I adored this, it was exciting, it had pace, and that says something when it's about 200 million year old trees.
I enjoyed this beginning to end, and it gave me a better understanding about the ground I'm standing on. Very worthwhile.
I enjoyed this beginning to end, and it gave me a better understanding about the ground I'm standing on. Very worthwhile.
March 25, 2011
Easy to read and well researched.
March 23, 2016
Probably appeals more to those who have a botanical bent. Also a reminder of how fleeting man's time on earth is.
June 1, 2016
I've listened to the audio a couple of times over the years. Intriguing story
May 22, 2017
This is an amazing book! Super exciting and the author must have devoted years to complete this incredible story.
December 27, 2023
Great research again, good story.
Read
May 19, 2012A really interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews