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Level of Significance

  • File
  • Local
  • Regional
  • State
  • National

Age (approx)

400yrs

Trees

1

Diameter

1m

Height - 24m

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Details

Common name
River Red Gum
Botanical name
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Other name
The Separation Tree
Type
Specimen
Condition
Poor
Municipality
Melbourne (VIC)
Location
Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue Melbourne VIC 3000
Access
Unrestricted
Significances
  • Landscape (Social)
  • Park/Garden/Town (Historic)
  • Event (Historic)
Date of measurement
01 Jun 2003
Date of classification
02 Feb 2015

Statement of Significance

The 'Separation Tree', located on the Tennyson Lawn is one of two original River Red Gums that bordered the swampy billabong which later became part of the Ornamental Lake. The trees are estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old. The Separation Tree was certainly the most prominent landmark in the early Gardens. It was quite appropriate that it was on the newly established lawns that the public celebrated the proposed separation of the Colony of New South Wales from Victoria,to take effect from July 1st, 1851.
Mr A.C. Neate in his "Odd Notes, Botanic Gardens, Melbourne", compiled in 1896, provides an account of the celebrations, based on a conversation he had with a Mr R. Harrison who had been described the event by Mr J. Dallachy, the second Curator. "A very large widespreading and now venerable Gum tree was used as the centre around which the Superintendant of the Province LaTrobe, the officers of the Government and probably many colonists met for the purpose of the celebrations".
The tree was vandalised in 2010 and again in 2013, and its recovery was closely monitored. It flowered prolifically in 2013, and in January 2014, the RBGM indicated that the tree was dying.

Notes

For more information, refer to Peter Fagg's excellent article titled "The 'Separation Tree': past, present and possible future" in The Victorian Naturalist, Vol 129 (4) 2012, p. 147.