Historic Geelong redwood reaches 150th year
Geelong Botanic Gardens coordinator Kellee Reissinger (left) and Geelong Botanic Gardens guide Peggy Muntz at the base of Geelong's 150-year-old redwood. Photos: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT
GEELONG Botanic Gardens this month is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the largest tree at Eastern Gardens.
The Gardens’ 25-metre tall giant redwood tree (Sequoiadendron gigantium), commonly referred to as “The Big Tree”, was planted by former governor of Victoria Sir George Bowen and the gardens’ first curator Daniel Bunce on July 2, 1873.
Friends of the Geelong Botanic Gardens member and garden guide Peggy Muntz said it is a major milestone for the Gardens’ staff.
“I’ve always loved ancient things and the redwood has got to be one of the highlights of the Gardens.
“We’ve got this row of bunya pines (Araucaria bidwillii) that stands out a lot among our bigger trees, but The Big Tree would have to be the Gardens’ main attraction.”
Ms Muntz has led visitor groups around the venue for the past five years.
The Jan Juc resident said the tree was worthy of being placed on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees of Victoria in 1984.
“It’s only a baby at 150 years; these trees can live up to 3,500 years at most.”
The tree is also one of the garden’s oldest, planted four years later than the Geelong Botanic Gardens’ maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba).
The tree’s seed was brought over to Australia from California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range to be germinated.
Ms Muntz said the tree’s population continued to decline in the wild for two reason.
“First, climate change has led to less water falling as snow, so less snow melt means trees can’t cope with the long, dry summers.
“Second, seeds don’t grow in forests protected from fire. The ground litter is too deep.”
Geelong Botanic Gardens coordinator Kellee Reissinger said the tree has flourished as a result of meticulous care and dedicated stewardship of the Gardens’ workers and volunteers.
“What sets this tree apart is not only its age, but its steady growth. Over the years it has demonstrated a medium growth rate, with an annual increase in height of approximately 30 centimeters,” Ms Reissinger said.
Acting Mayor Anthony Aitken said this is the perfect time to get together with family and friends to visit the beautiful Geelong Botanic Gardens and walk by the tree while admiring everything else the Gardens has to offer.
“We invite residents and visitors to join us in celebrating the rich history and natural beauty of the Geelong Botanic Gardens. As we celebrate this remarkable tree, it is also important to express our gratitude to the Friends the of the Botanic Gardens and all the those who have contributed to the wellbeing of this tree as well as the Gardens,” Cr Aitken said.
The Geelong Botanic Gardens are open every day of the year.
During Daylight Savings hours: 8:00am to 7:00pm
All other times hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm
To book a group tour or find out more about the Geelong Botanic Gardens, head to geelongaustralia.com.au/gbg
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