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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 1869 under Walter Hill, the Garden’s first curator. As indicated by its scientific name, this species is prized for its aromatic wood. As the common name (Cigar Box Cedar) suggests, the timber is used in the manufacture of cigar boxes. Its small flowers are borne in branched clusters, and each fruit is a capsule containing many winged seeds.
This attractive tree makes an important contribution to these historic gardens. It is associated with Walter Hill, the Garden’s first curator, who supervised its planting as a part of experimentation with the planting of exotic species as possible future industries for the new colony. It is a beautiful example of its species.
The tree is located to the right of the main path leading from the Garden's Alice Street entrance.