Lagarostrobos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lagarostrobos |
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| Huon pine in a Tasmanian botanical garden | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lagarostrobos
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| Species: |
franklinii
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The Huon pine (scientific name: Lagarostrobos franklinii) is a special type of tree found only in the wet southwestern part of Tasmania, Australia. Even though it's called a "pine," it's actually a different kind of tree called a podocarp. It's the only species in its group, called Lagarostrobos.
Scientists have studied the Huon pine's DNA. They found it is related to other unique trees like Parasitaxus from New Caledonia and Manoao from New Zealand.
The wood of the Huon pine is very special. It has a beautiful golden-yellow color and a fine texture. It also contains natural oils that help it resist rotting. These oils give the wood its unique smell and help it last a very long time. The main chemical that does this is called methyl eugenol.
You can find Huon pines growing in other places too. Some healthy trees have been planted in Scotland, at Crathes Castle and Torosay Castle on the Isle of Mull.
What is the Huon Pine?
The Huon pine is a tree that grows very slowly. But it can live for an incredibly long time! Some Huon pines are more than 2,000 years old. These trees usually grow to be about 10 to 20 meters (33 to 66 feet) tall. Some can even reach 30 meters (98 feet). They have branches that arch outwards and smaller branches that hang down.
Their leaves are very tiny, like scales, and are arranged in a spiral pattern. They are only 1 to 3 millimeters long and cover the shoots completely.
Huon pines are dioecious. This means that male cones (which make pollen) and female cones (which make seeds) grow on separate trees. The male cones are yellow and small, about 5 to 8 millimeters long. The female cones are different; they look like berries when they are ready. They have 5 to 10 loose scales, and each scale holds one seed. These seeds are about 2 to 2.5 millimeters long. Unlike some related trees, the scales of the Huon pine cones do not become fleshy. Their seeds are spread by water, not by birds.
How Old Can Huon Pines Get?
Huon pines are some of the oldest living things on Earth.
In western Tasmania, near Mount Read, scientists found a group of Huon pines that is more than 10,500 years old! Each tree in this group is a male and is genetically identical to the others. This means they are all clones of one original tree. Even though no single tree in this group is 10,500 years old, the entire group has been alive for that long through vegetative reproduction.
Individual trees within this clonal group have been found to be 2,000 or even 3,000 years old.
Because these trees live for so long, their tree rings are very useful. Scientists use the rings to study past climates. This method is called dendrochronology. It helps us understand how the Earth's climate has changed over thousands of years.
Protecting the Huon Pine
Over the last 100 years, about 15% of the Huon pine's natural home has been lost. This happened because of floods from hydroelectric power projects and also from fires. In the past, many large Huon pines were cut down for their valuable wood. However, new trees are growing back in most areas.
Today, it is against the law to cut down living Huon pine trees. There is a special system that allows people to get wood for crafts from trees that have already died or fallen down. This helps protect the living trees while still allowing people to use this special timber.
See also
In Spanish: Lagarostrobos franklinii para niños
