Pine tree once believed to be extinct added to Regina Floral Conservatory

The Christmas season is still a long way off, but there’s one pine tree in Regina that’s getting quite a bit of attention.

The Regina Floral Conservatory has added a rare Wollemi pine to its collection. The tree was donated by the City of Edmonton, a move which the City of Regina says highlights the strong relationship between the two cities and their shared commitment to protecting and preserving plant species.

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The Wollemi pine is notable because it was long believed to be extinct. The city said the species was known only through fossil records until it was rediscovered in Australia in 1994.

The species is considered critically endangered, the city noted, and fewer than 100 examples are known to exist in the wild.

“We’re grateful to the City of Edmonton for giving Regina the opportunity to care for this remarkable tree,” Russell Eirich, Regina’s director of parks and open space services, said in a statement.

“The Wollemi pine was once thought to be extinct, so having one here in Regina is something special. It gives residents an opportunity to view a rare species while supporting the city’s commitment to conservation, education and protecting biodiversity.”

The city said residents can visit the floral conservatory to see the tree in its permanent new home and learn more about its history and conservation.