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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 Yellowwood is one of the first of the exotic specimens planted in the Gardens by Walter Hill, the Garden's first curator. Afrocarpus is native to Africa and the species are distributed through the Afromontane forests of eastern and southern Africa. In South Africa, this wood is mostly used to make exclusive furniture.
This is an outstanding example of its species and significantly contributes to the landscape of these heritage gardens with its large spreading canopy and being situated in an open prominent position. The shady area beneath its canopy provides a popular area for garden visitors. The tree is associated with Walter Hill, the Garden's original curator, who was responsible for its planting. It is a beautiful large majestic tree with red-brown bark and a wide canopy of blue-grey leaves.
The tree is located in the north-west part of the Gardens, to the left of the path that leads down from George Street.