Feature: uncommon exotic species<br />Stand up the real Anzac Lone Pine of Gallipoli

Authors: Mike Wilcox, David Spencer
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2007, Issue N.Z.J.For. 52(1) 2007, pp 3-9, May 2007
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

---

Abstract: The native pine of Gallipoli is Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia). After World War I Sergeant Keith McDowell brought back a cone from the famous Lone Pine, from which four trees were later planted at war memorials in Victoria, Australia, in 1933-34. These are Pinus brutia. However, most ANZAC pine trees planted in Australia and New Zealand to commemorate men lost in the Gallipoli campaign, and in particular the Lone Pine Ridge, are Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) which does not grow naturally in Gallipoli but is found near the Mediterranean coast in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Syria, Turkey, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. The origin of these P. halepensis trees is attributed to a cone collected by an Australian soldier from the Turkish trenches off a tree branch, probably brought in from a woodlot or hedgerow planted on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Two of the most prominent ANZAC pines in New Zealand are radiata pine (Pinus radiata), and one is a Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis). Whilst there are several in Australia, the only authentic Pinus brutia in New Zealand from the Gallipoli Lone Pine seems to be the one at the Paeroa Golf Course very likely derived from the cone Sergeant McDowell brought back with him to Australia, and as such must rank as one of the most historic trees in the country.

---