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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 was planted in the gardens in1894. It is native to SE Asia, Australia and New Guinea. The common name 'Leichhardt Tree' is from the Australian explorer and botanist Ludwig Leichhardt, who encountered the tree in his first expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington (from 1 October 1844 to 17 December 1845). He remarked on their preponderance near large riverbanks.

This is a beautifully shaped, attractive, mature example of its species which can be seen near the main entrance to the historic Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. This good looking tree forms an important part of the Gardens' landscape.

The tree is located inside the Alice Street entrance, to the left of the main path, between the Circle of Royal Palms and the Weeping Fig Avenue.