Scientists Say a Tree From the Time of Dinosaurs Just Bore Fruit in a Retired Couple’s Backyard for the First Time

During the time of the dinosaurs, the plants and trees that they had were way different in the current period that we are living in. Then the major asteroid impact happened, and together with the dinosaurs majority of the tree species of the Mesozoic era, the time of the dinosaurs’ dominance on the planet, approximately 252 to 66 million years ago, went extinct.

However, one of those species that survived from the dinosaur era, a Wollemi pine, in a remarkable event, just bore fruit for the first time in a retired couple’s backyard in England. Now, scientists, specifically our botanists, are excited to try to propagate the tree species that have existed since the time of the dinosaurs.

Image Credits: Emma Trimble / SWNS / Daily Galaxy

A Living Fossil Bears Fruit in England

In the garden of retired couple Pamela and Alistair Thompson in Wichenford, Worcestershire, a tree species that has existed since the great era of the dinosaurs has just borne fruit for the first time. Wollemi Pine is estimated to be about 90 to 200 million years old.

Scientists actually thought they were already extinct, but a recent discovery in a remote canyon made this current story of the tree bearing fruit possible. Wollemi Pine was thought to have been gone for 2 million years, before they were found again in 1994, in an Australian canyon. They are now considered a living fossil, and are one of the rarest species of trees in the world.

Read more: Telegraph

The Wollemi Pine: A Prehistoric Survivor

Prehistoric 'dinosaur tree' bears fruit for first time in couple's garden | SWNS

Pamela and Alistair Thompson were able to obtain a sapling of this Wollemi Pine and planted it in 2010. This year, they have just borne fruit, producing male and female cones. This means a natural reproduction is now on the table.

Scientists have now called it the dinosaur tree because of its origin and being one of the oldest tree species. The tree’s survival and propagation in the United Kingdom, where it is not native, showcase just how resilient this species is. We mean, think about it, they have survived an extinction event that dinosaurs didn’t.

Hope for Conservation Through Propagation

The appearance of both male and female cones on the Thompsons’ tree opens up the possibility for scientists to collect seeds and propagate them naturally. Previously, cloning was the only way to help this tree species increase in numbers or keep them steady.

Cloning means no genetic diversity is being introduced, exposing the tree species to harmful diseases and environmental change, which could end its tens of millions of years of existence. That is why successful seed germination and reproduction through both seeds is important for its future survival and conservation.

Read more: Good News Network

Sharing a Botanical Marvel

The Thompson couple are planning on opening up their garden where the Wollemi tree sprouted to the National Garden Scheme. This will help raise awareness and share their unique experience living with the same species that existed during the time of the dinosaurs with the public.

Visitors will be able to check out the actual tree and fruits, along with its history and beginnings. The Thompsons want them to understand and appreciate how a tree that was thought to have been extinct is now thriving and surviving in a random backyard in England.

Will Australia's Dinosaur Tree Take Over Britain?

Author's Final Thoughts

The fruiting of the Wollemi pine in the backyard of a retired couple in England is a testament that individuals’ efforts for conservation matter. This remarkable event not only brings hope to the future of this tree species, but it is also a symbol of resilience of nature.

Despite the asteroid destroying everything, humans making environmental changes as they want, and all the other challenges the Wollemi Pine species faced, they are still here today, and with our help, they can be there in the future with us.

Read more: Scientists Say Mushrooms May Communicate With Each Other Using a Secret Language Made Up of 50 Words