On Monday 9 October, a River Red Gum sapling (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) was planted at Quarry Reserve, Ferntree Gully. This tree has been propagated from seeds of the 400 year-old Separation Tree which was located in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.
The original River Red Gum is believed to date from the 17th century, earlier than European colonisation, and was an important gathering site for Aboriginal tribes being so close to the Yarra River.
The tree was nicknamed the Separation Tree because Victorians gathered under the tree to celebrate the separation of Victoria from New South Wales on 15 November, 1850.
Sadly, in 2010 vandals ringbarked the 400 year-old tree and it suffered significant damage. In 2013, it was attacked again by vandals and this caused the tree to die. Botanists from the Royal Botanic Gardens were able to collect seeds from the tree and propagated them into saplings.
In November 2023, Cr Jude Dwight accepted a sapling on behalf of Knox City Council. The sapling was given to Darren Wallace, a local tree specialist and member of environmental community group, Greening Knox. Over the past 11 months, Darren has nurtured the little sapling to a point where it is now a strong, healthy 2 metre tall tree.
We are proud to have such beautiful and historically significant tree located in Quarry Reserve.
