Special Trees

We are developing a set of pictures of special trees. The urge we feel to do this is a reflection of the rapidly decreasing number of old trees still left after human exploitation.

Other such collections that we recommend include:

Meetings with Remarkable Trees by Thomas Pakenham (Weidenfield and Nicolson, Londom); and
Tree Stories. Favourite tales of the trees that touch us by Peter Solness (Australian Geographic).

The Cathedral Tree, Melbourne Botanic Gardens, Australia

This is a huge Algerian Oak planted in the 1890's. We have dubbed it the Cathedral Tree because of the huge vaulted space contained within the branches that droop to ground level. The bump on the left of the trunk is a "tree hugger".

The Corroboree Tree, Melbourne, Australia

This is the most ancient tree left in Melbourne and is believed to be over 300 years old. It has special significance for the aboriginal peoples that lived in the area before European settlement. Rumour has it that it was earmarked for removal when St Kilda junction was reconstructed but the design engineer unofficially developed a higher cost plan in order to save this tree. Nonetheless, it bears the scars of many motor vehicle impacts.

The Separation Tree, Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Australia

The citizens of Melbourne rejoiced under this tree when they received the news on 15 November 1850 that Victoria was to become a separate colony. The tree is several hundred years old. On 15 November1951, a replacement river red gum was planted nearby to mark the start of the second century of self-government.

The Big Tree, Guildford, Central Victoria, Australia. This river red gum is estimated to be between 500 and 1,000 years old. The tree is buzzing with a community of insects, birds and animals residing in numerous hollows and cracks.

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