Pines growing reminder of battle

Saplings descended from the Lone Pine tree at Gallipoli have been given to the Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

The saplings stem from the original Lone Pine, a solitary tree on the battlefield of the Battle of Lone Pine, during the Gallipoli campaign in August 1915. It was an Australian battle, created as a diversion, before a larger one took place involving New Zealand troops shortly afterwards. It is believed the only other tree in New Zealand that is a direct descendant of the Gallipoli tree grows at the Paeroa Golf Course.

The regional council said it would plant four saplings at country parks, and two would go to RSAs in the region. The saplings were gifted by Crown research Institute Scion, which is keeping two plants for its arboretum and for possible further breeding.

A range of pines have been planted at war memorials in New Zealand. Often they are Aleppo pines (a type found at Gallipoli), pinus radiata and others.