Elderly individuals generate meager income through a quirky technique involving seeds from an old tree species
In a surprising turn of events, a retired couple in England, Pamela and Alistair Thompson, have stumbled upon a fortuitous discovery that has not only brought them a significant financial gain but also opened up opportunities for conservation efforts. The couple's garden now houses a rare and ancient tree - the Wollemi pine, a conifer that has been around since the time of dinosaurs.
The couple purchased the Wollemi pine as a sapling back in 2010 for just $94. Little did they know that this seemingly ordinary tree would become a source of great interest and potential wealth. In April of this year, they discovered seeds on their Wollemi pine for the first time, outside of Australia, where the tree is native.
Each cone from their Wollemi pine can produce hundreds of seeds, potentially earning the couple tens of thousands of dollars in the coming years. As of now, the seeds from the Wollemi pine are worth more than $6,716 each, according to the American newspaper 'New York Post'.
The couple, however, are not hoarding their good fortune. Instead, they plan to use the proceeds from selling the seeds for charitable causes, particularly to protect the endangered Wollemi pine species. Pamela Thompson and her husband Alistair hope for donations to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for the conservation of the endangered Wollemi Pine and the allocation of profits from its seeds.
The Wollemi pine was once thought to be extinct, but a group of them were discovered in Australia in 1994. Since then, saplings and cuttings of Wollemi pines have been sold worldwide. The Thompson's discovery marks a potential increase in their earnings from the Wollemi pine seeds in the coming years.
The Thompson's actions suggest a commitment to conservation efforts for the Wollemi pine. They planted the tree in their garden as a joke, thinking that dinosaurs once fed on its seeds. However, the discovery of the seeds has turned their joke into a serious mission.
The Wollemi pine has existed for over 90 million years and is a prehistoric conifer. Its seeds are still being sold, contributing to the conservation efforts and the couple's potential earnings. The New York Post recently reported on the couple's good fortune with the seeds from the Wollemi pine, bringing their unique story to the global stage.
