details

Statement of Significance

This Weeping Golden Monterey Cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa 'Saligna Aurea'), located along the Main Carriage Drive from the historic Gatehouse of Werribee Park Mansion, represents the extreme genetic and botanical variability of the Monterey Cypress species. This early twentieth century specimen was selected and planted circa 1920s by the Roman Catholic Church. The Chirnside Family's contribution to colonial Victoria's pastoral and agricultural growth asleaders and pioneers of the colony's pastoral industry. Their vast land holdings in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland made them one of the wealthiest families in the colony. The grandeur of their influence and wealth is reflected in their opulent Roman Renaissance Revival style mansion at Werribee Park and is stately garden. This tree<EM> </EM>makes a significant aesthetic contribution to the immediate landscape of Werribee Park Mansion.and is a prime example of this cultivar of the species. However it does not exhibit the usual weeping canopy so commonly seen in other specimens of this cultivar. This golden-green foliage and variant growth form highlights how genetically variable<B> </B>this New World cypress can actually be in its foliage colour and growth habit.