Description
This Small-leaved Fig (Ficus obliqua) is located in a mulched area of enclosed playground near rear southern boundary fence. It’s canopy extends over the playground area and neighbouring properties. The root zone is likely to have a similar spatial extent.It measures approximately, height 16 metres, canopy spread 28 metres with trunk diameter 2.0 metres at one metre above the ground.
The fig looks to have been planted c.1880 and appears to be in generally good health and condition with a dense canopy and no dead wood evident in the crown, however it does have some structural issues that should be monitored.
Significance
This outstanding specimen Small-leaved Fig (Ficus obliqua) is one of the larger known examples of this species in the LGA and has individual significance at the City/ LGA level in terms of its visual, historic, social and botanic values.
Historical notes
This outstanding specimen of a Small-leaved Fig (Ficus obliqua) is believed to be part of the former estate and gardens of Hereford House, a mid-Victorian villa built in 1875 (53 Hereford Street). It is visible as an extremely established tree in the 1943 aerial photos of the area. This fig provides local continuity with the fig planting of neighbouring public parkland in Glebe including Foley Rest Park, Jubilee Park and Wentworth Park. It also continues a subtropical broadleaf theme which has associations with Charles Moore and the Botanic Gardens.
Kirsova Playground is one of three parcels of land which were gifted to the community as playgrounds for underprivileged children by the Danish ballerina, Madame Helene Kirsova (1910-1962). The playground is scheduled in the City of Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 and the Leichhardt Heritage Study. Also located in the adjoining car parking area is a single Washington Palm (Washingtonia robusta) height, 20 metres (clear trunk), likely to be part of the original collection associated with the former Hereford House curtilage.
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