A Gilgandra tree: a Hokonui story

This pine tree has an interesting story that goes back about 4 decades.

When we used to have our Christmas at Hokonui, we would give each other presents that we had made ourselves. One year, the Gilgandras gave the Kareelas a herb potted in a painted pineapple juice tin.

The herb was grown and consumed. But also in the pot Carolyn found a small green shoot.

She never lets plant life go to waste so she nurtured that green shoot. And it thrived.

It turned out to be a pine tree, grown from a seed that must have been in the soil from the pine forest.

And so, when it was ready, the small tree was planted down the back of our yard. And it grew. And grew.

Forty years later, we can see it from the house. Something like 12m tall and slender, we can see it waving in the wind down the back of the yard.

A little piece of Gilgandra thriving in urban Kareela. And likely to still be there long after I have gone.

Thanks, Gilgandras, for the gift that keeps on giving.