Jigsaw tree part of National Trust puzzle

Standing proud: Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens president Julie Bradby and Exhibitions/Library convenor Lorraine Powell with the tall Western Yellow Pine behind. Photos: EDWINA WILLIAMS

THE Ballarat Botanical Gardens’ tallest tree has been named one of nine finalists in the National Trust’s Victorian Tree of the Year competition.

The towering 40-metre pinus ponderosa, or Western Yellow Pine, is about 140 years old and was nominated by the Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens who affectionately call it the Jigsaw Tree for the organic shaped bark on its trunk.

“It was planted originally because people wanted to see how it went in this climate, and it’s done exceptionally well,” said FBBG president Julie Bradby.

“We love this tree. Our BotaniKIDS run to the tree immediately. One of the reasons kids like it is because the bark is so lovely.

In the running:Julie Bradby said the tree’s texture and unusual yellow colour is playful, attracting people of all ages to touch it.

“It comes off in different jigsaw shapes. The tree trunk is at their level, and it’s playful.”

Mrs Bradby said the straight formation of the tree is often appreciated by gardeners.

“Once it gets growing up, it’s almost neat and tidy,” she said. “It’s easy to maintain, particularly in a botanical garden setting.

“More of them were planted round the Mount Pleasant oval which was originally a very early botanical garden.”

The Jigsaw Tree has unique bark that children within the BotaniKIDS program enjoy investigating, and drawing.

Former FBBG president Terry O’Brien said the Yellow Pine is an exotic that does well in a drier climate, even an avenue, and having the tree nominated is a boost to the community.

“It shows what botanical gardens can do; they open up the cultural experience,” he said.

The tree is a finalist due to its old age and size. It’s likely the oldest known example of a Western Yellow Pine in Victoria.

Visit nationaltrust.org.au/treeoftheyear to vote.