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Another unique feature is its pattern of branching, with the mature foliage having two ranks of leaves along the branches. Its bark is also distinct even from related species, closely resembling a rich, bubbling chocolate.
TAKING CARE OF A WOLLEMI PINE TREE
The Wollemi pine tree is the ultimate survivor, proving to be hardy and versatile in cultivation. The Pine is surprisingly easy to grow and maintain, as it thrives in full sun to semi-shaded outdoor positions and adapts to a diverse range of climatic zones.
As an indoor/outdoor pot plant
As a garden or landscape tree
Caring for the Wollemi pine tree as an indoor/outdoor pot plant
As the Wollemi pine tree can be maintained in a pot almost indefinitely, it is well suited to patios, verandas and courtyards. It can also be used as indoor decoration in well-lit areas as it is able to tolerate air conditioning.
Watering
Once every week, check the moisture content of the potting mix by feeling the top 1” of the mix with your finger. If dry, completely saturate the potting mix with water by watering several times in a row. If it is an indoor plant, place it in a shady position outside before saturating the potting mix and return the plant indoors after it has drained. As a general rule of thumb, the lower the light level, the less water the tree uses. It is important not to over water by having the plant sitting in a saucer of water; even in hot, dry conditions, only water when the top inch of potting mix is dry. In the landscape, water thoroughly at planting and then weekly for the first few months; once the plant has established itself, watering can be reduced depending on rainfall.
Positioning
For an outdoor living area such as a balcony or courtyard, choose a sheltered location out of the full sun. Before placing the Wollemi pine tree in the full sun, it is recommended that you gradually condition the plant by first putting it in shade outdoors, then moving it into a sunnier position over the course of several weeks. If placed in the full sun, they will initially develop a slight yellowing of the foliage, as do other rainforest and Araucariaceae species—however, they do regain their regular deep green appearance within six months. As an indoor plant your Wollemi pine tree should be placed in a well-lit position, preferably near a window or doorway. As with all indoor plants (especially trees) the Wollemi pine tree occasionally needs to be placed outdoors in a sheltered, shaded area. Doing this at least one week out of every month during the warm months will help the tree thrive.
Shaping
The Wollemi pine tree can be shaped using sterile secateurs or pruning shears at any time of the year to maintain its compact form. Pruning can be done on the upright stems and branches. New buds will generally develop from just below the cut.
Fertilizing
A slow-release, low phosphorus fertilizer suitable for native trees in combination with a foliar fertilizer will promote optimum growth. Follow labeling instructions. Keeping the Wollemi pine tree in a pot and fertilizing lightly will slow its growth rate.
Repotting
The Wollemi pine tree’s root growth is strong, but not so vigorous that plants will require frequent repotting, hence its suitability as a container plant. To repot:
- Place the Wollemi pine tree in a pot around 50% larger than the one your tree has been growing in.
- Fill the bottom of a clean pot with good quality potting mix to ensure that the root ball is at the same level as it was before—in other words, don’t plant it deeper than it is already growing.
- Place the root ball in the pot and fill with potting mix.
- Tap or shake the pot to ensure the potting mix fills all the spaces and covers the top of the root ball and all the air pockets are out of the soil.
- Immediately water the plant until saturated. This may take several shots with the hose to soak the plant and get all of the soil saturated. Alternatively you can set the tree in a sink or bucket for an hour or so to thoroughly soak the soil.
- Fertilize regularly during spring and summer with a low phosphorus, water-soluble or slow-release fertilizer.
Caring for the Wollemi pine tree as a garden or landscape tree
The Wollemi pine tree will make a spectacular specimen tree, planted as an avenue, grove or hedge and can be planted in the bright shade of larger trees. Hardy in USDA Zone 7-11
Hardiness
The Wollemi pine tree in Australia has grown in a range of temperatures from 23-113°F (-5°C to 45°C), and trials in the USA and Japan have indicated that it will survive temperatures as cold as 10.4°F (-12°C). The Wollemi pine trees are not easily damaged in high winds thanks to strong flexible stems, branches and leaves.
Growth
As a young plant up to 18 months of age, a Wollemi pine tree can grow 1.5 feet (half a meter) each year, perhaps reaching a height of 65 feet (20 meters) in its lifetime. A mature plant will grow around 3 feet (one meter) a year. If the plant is not fertilized or kept in medium to low light conditions, it will grow more slowly.
Soil Type
Even though the Wollemi pine tree tolerates a wide range of soil types, it favors a well-drained, slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 6) fertile site. The suitability of your site can be improved by cultivating the soil—loosening it to twice the pot’s depth and diameter and removing any competing plants or weeds. The tree will resent being planted in poor-draining or wet soil.
Spacing
The spacing at which to plant your Wollemi pine trees depends on the effect you wish to create. If you want a single specimen tree or an avenue, it is recommended that you leave a radius of approximately 8 feet (2.5 meters) around the tree. If you want a hedge or grove effect, you can plant the trees much closer, even 3-6 feet (or 1-2 meters) apart.
Planting
The optimum time of year to plant your Wollemi pine tree depends on the seasonal conditions of your area (e.g. if you live in a cold climate, it is best to plant it during warmer months). Ensure that you initially saturate the potted plant before you plant; this is best done by submersing the root ball in water until all air bubbles cease to rise to the surface. Immediately after planting, water the soil around the plant deeply every 5-7 days until the plant has established new foliage, and then water during drought periods.
Pruning
The Wollemi pine tree can be heavily pruned, up to two-thirds of the plant size removed. You can prune both the apical growth (upright stems) and the branches—one or multiple new buds will generally originate from just below the cut. To stimulate active growth after pruning, apply slow release or water-soluble fertilizer at recommended rates. It is best to prune in the winter months for large diameter stems and branches (greater than 2”). Use sterile, sharp pruning equipment to match the size of the stem or branch being pruned.