Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine) - Biosecurity New Zealand

the base of the trunks. This coppicing leads to a number of trunks of various ages in a mature
tree. In the wild, most trunks arise from a common base but some may derive from a
suckering of larger roots. Trunks have also developed from the epicormic shoots of fallen
branches (NPWS 1998).
Adult trees have been observed to increase by one additional growth unit (referred to as stem
segments) per year from orthotropic shoots (vertical growing shoots), and no more than one
segment from plagiotropic reproductive shoots (lateral growing shoots) (NPWS 1998).
Researchers have developed methods for propagating the Wollemia nobilis by cuttings, and
the Queensland Forestry Research Institute is developing mass propagation techniques.
Cuttings taken from the lateral branches produce a prostrate (low growing) plant suitable as a
spreading pot plant or ground cover. After an initial slow start, cultivated seedlings grow to
about one metre after three years with a diameter near the base of about 30 millimetres.
Wollemia nobilis specimens planted out in other locations are also being monitored for their
growth rate and their growth habits. They respond well to light and favour acid soils (NPWS
1998).
On average cultivated specimens grow around half a metre a year, although growth in the
wild is much slower. They start growing in early spring and grow upwards for around two
months. After that they concentrate their energy on growing outwards. Wollemia nobilis
plants respond well to fertiliser. A range of potting mix requirements and levels and types of
fertilisers is being trialled. Young plants in cultivation need some protection from strong
light provided by shade cloth or the shelter of other trees (NPWS 1998).
Research is also being conducted to test the viability of utilising micro propagation methods
for commercial production.
3.2 Occurrence of Araucariaceae in New Zealand
There are two members of the Araucariaceae family in New Zealand: Agathis and Araucaria.
New Zealand has one native member of the Araucariaceae, Agathis australis (kauri). All the
other species of the family Araucariaceae currently believed to be present in New Zealand
have been introduced since European settlement.
Species in the Agathis genus are distributed from Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, through
New Guinea, Queensland and the eastern Solomon’s, to Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji and
New Zealand. There are more than 20 species, with approximately half having been
introduced to New Zealand, although most are probably in glasshouses or warmer
environments as they are generally from climates warmer than New Zealand.
Table 3.1 Agathis species present in NZ
Agathis australis Agathis macrophylla Agathis ovata
Agathis brownii Agathis montana Agathis robusta
Agathis corbassonii Agathis moorei Agathis vitiensis
Agathis lanceolata Agathis palmerstonii (= Agathis robusta)
Page 20 of 193 14 March 2008 Import Risk Analysis: Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine) Araucariaceae Nursery Stock from Australia