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Statement of Significance

The rich, fertile soil, temperate climate and the interest of many of its citizens in things botanical has resulted in theToowoomba Region’s ability to grow a wide range of indigenous and non-indigenous plants. In 1860, the area was the first to hold an Agricultural Show in Queensland – 15 years before Brisbane. Walter Hill, the then Government Botanist and first Curator of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, travelled to Toowoomba to advise with the design and planning of Queens Park and street plantings in Toowoomba. He subsequently imported many tree species from Europe, Asia and other parts of the world to be planted there. Hill Street in Toowoomba is named in his honour. The town attracts many visitors in September for its famous Carnival of Flowers, when people come from near and far to enjoy Toowoomba’s many parks and gardens.
The magnificent Boyce Garden, forest and park, which covers six hectares, was established as a private garden by leading Toowoomba businessman, Dr Leslie Boyce, and his wife Margaret, over a period of almost sixty years. Dr and Mrs Boyce gave the house and surrounding property to the University of Queensland in 1969, in trust for the enjoyment and education of the people of Australia.
This is the largest, most accessible and most attractive of at least four silk cotton trees in Toowoomba and is surrounded by beautiful gardens which are open to the public daily. It was raised from seeds ordered by Dr Leslie Boyce, the then owner of the private garden, from the seedsmen JL Hudson of California. The seeds arrived in Toowoomba via London in the winter of 1983 and were raised by the then Head Gardener, Mr Daryl Mears, who germinated them under heat.
This tree is an outstanding example of its species. It makes a significant contribution to the landscape of the historic Boyce Gardens and is visited by many visitors to the gardens for its unusual spiny bark.
The tree commemorates Dr Leslie Boyce, founder of the gardens, and Mr Harold Caulfield, former Director of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, who planted it to mark Greenweek in 1984. This aesthetically pleasing tree deciduous tree is ornamental, with attractive flowers in early summer and curious spiny bark.
The tree is located on the lawn to the east of the house above the rainforest.