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Level of Significance

  • File
  • Local
  • Regional
  • State
  • National

Age (approx)

10yrs

Trees

4000

Diameter

0.3m

Height - 6m

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1/3 images

Details

Common name
National Arboretum Canberra
Botanical name
National Arboretum Canberra
Other name
National Arboretum Canberra
Type
Plantation
Condition
Good
Municipality
Act (ACT)
Location
Forest Drive Weston ACT 2611
Access
Restricted
Significances
  • Location/Context (Social)
  • Landscape (Social)
  • Landmark (Social)
  • Contemporary association (Social)
  • Event (Historic)
Date of measurement
17 Jun 2014
Date of classification
29 Jun 2014

Statement of Significance

The National Arboretum Canberra of 250-hectares (618 acres) was, created after the area was burned out by the 2001 and 2003 bushfires: The Himalayan Cedar forest lost about one third of its trees, and the commercial Radiata Pine plantation was burned out, allowing the arboretum to be created. The site has been planted since 2005, and includes ceremonial trees planted by visiting heads of government and ambassadors and was officially opened in February 2013.

History

The National Arboretum Canberra of 250-hectares (618 acres) was, created after the area was burned out by the 2001 and 2003 bushfires: The Himalayan Cedar forest lost about one third of its trees, and the commercial Radiata Pine plantation was burned out, allowing the arboretum to be created. The winning design from the nationwide competition for an arboretum, by landscape architects Taylor Cullity Lethlean and architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer proposed 100 forests and 100 gardens focussing on threatened, rare, and symbolic trees from around the world.
The site has been planted since 2005, and includes ceremonial trees planted by visiting heads of government and ambassadors and was officially opened in February 2013.
The established areas include existing forests of Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara) and cork oak (Quercus suber) planted under the guidance of early town planners under general direction from the city's planner, Walter Burley Griffin. The arboretum is generally in keeping with Griffin's plan for such an arboretum, as expressed by the earlier forests.
A forest of Turkish Pine Pinus brutia, a species native to the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, has been planted to commemorate Australian service personnel killed in all conflicts. In addition, a number of ceremonial Aleppo Pines (Pinus halepensis) have been planted on the summit of Dairy Farmers Hill, propagated from seed of the Lone Pine tree planted at the Australian War Memorial. These complement a number of mature specimens of this species already existing on the hill.[6]
The National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia was relocated to the arboretum.
Notable plantings include:
• California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera)
• Chinese tulip tree (Liriodendron chinense)
• Western old white gum (Eucalyptus argophloia)
• Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis)
• Dragon tree (Dracaena draco) – famously, 12 were stolen, of which some were recovered[8][9]
• Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba)
• Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum)
• Giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
• Camden white gum (Eucalyptus benthamii)
• Chinese rubber tree (Eucommia ulmoides)
• Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
• Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana)
• Bunya pine (Araucaria bidwillii)
• Weeping Snow Gum (Eucalyptus lacrimans)
• Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis)
• Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius)