QLD: First Wollemi Pine comes off the production line

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-1999
QLD: First Wollemi Pine comes off the production line

The first rare Wollemi Pine tree to come off the Queensland production line will be
at state parliament today when primary industries minister HENRY PALASZCZUK (Pron: Palla-shay)
announces plans to market the living fossil worldwide.

Queensland won the world rights to commercially propagate the rare softwood tree, discovered
in a national park north west of Sydney in 1994.

The first natural stand contains just 40 mature trees and the exact location has been
a tightly-kept secret, with close controls on plant material leaving the area.

Mr PALASZSZUK says the Queensland Department of Primary Industries has invested $6
million developing the pine.

Two million plants are expected to be ready to be sold next year.

AAP RTV geb/sd/wz/jn/smf/rat

KEYWORD: WOLLEMI (BRISBANE)

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