[CAS14]

For some time, I have thought about close relatives of fossil trees. A few decades ago at former residences, I planted several trees that I thought of as "living fossils." I have since discovered that no such thing is readily available, although close relatives are.

I have considered the dawn redwood, the ginko biloba, and the Wollemi pine for a stick. Although pine is soft, thats what I am looking for, as it may be the only true living fossil tree that I could acquire. Apparently these date back at least 120 million years. Cost may be prohibitive, but what a conversation piece for geological field trips!

http://geology.about.com/od/fossilstimeevolution/qt/livingfossilplants.htm

 

[CAS14]

I planted a ginko at a house I had built over 20 years ago. The leaves turned a beautiful golden in the fall. But the literature says that these aren't precisely the same as the ancient ginkos. Same goes with the dawn redwood, although I am drawn to that one. If I could buy a sapling cheap (not likely) from a nursery, I'd give it a shot.