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Statement of Significance

The site of Brisbane City Botanic Gardens was selected as a public garden in 1828 by New South Wales Colonial Botanist Charles Fraser three years after the establishment of the European settlement. Originally the garden was planted with food crops to feed the convicts. In 1855, a portion of the land was declared a 'botanic reserve' and Walter Hill was appointed as curator. The Queensland Heritage Register describes the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens as 'the most significant, non-aboriginal cultural landscape in Queensland having a continuous horticultural history since 1828, without any significant loss of land area or change in use over time.' It incorporates Brisbane's most mature gardens and features many rare and unusual species of plants.
This tree is one of the few trees that comprise the last remnants of the area’s original vegetation, predating convict settlement in 1825. This species is commonly seen along the Brisbane River but is also found on hills and mountain ridges.
The tree is one of the few remaining trees along the riverbank that predate European settlement. It is a beautiful example of the Blue Gum, which is a common species in the area. It stands in a prominent place hanging over the Brisbane River and is an important element which contributes to the landscape. This tree can be seen clearly from the garden paths and from the river. It is located beside the river near the Edward Street entrance to the City Botanic Gardens.