Description
This mixed avenue planting is located in the public verge and tree pits in asphalt pavement adjacent to the kerb. The trees measure approximately, height 16-18 metres, canopy spread up to 18 metres and trunk diameter up to 1.0 metre at one metre above the ground.
Most of these trees appear to be in generally good health and condition with varying levels of past pruning. Eastern verge trees have been ‘hollow’ pruned to accommodate overhead power-lines.
Significance
This portion of Bourke Street, between the intersections with Arthur and Cleveland Streets, has a particularly outstanding group of street trees, dominated by London Planes (Platanus x acerifolia) and inter-planted with a similar number of Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus). These ornamental, deciduous and evergreen trees have local group significance in terms of their visual and historic values.
Historical notes
This is a spectacular example of classic avenue planting with it’s thematic planting style and age structure further enhancing the aesthetic character of this neighbourhood. In this location, the interlocking canopies form a contiguous tunnel over the roadway and adjoining residences. The age structure is generally within the (c.1940’s-1970’s) age group with some older inter-mixed specimens (c.1920’s). It is a good example of successional phasing and inter-planting.
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