Description
The Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii) is located in the front garden immediately adjacent to the driveway. The canopy and the root zone appear to be contained within the property. It measures approximately, height 15 metres, canopy spread 10 metres with trunk diameter 0.8 metres at one metre above the ground. The pine appears to be in good condition and health with strong apical growth.
Most of the palms are planted within the raised faux-rock garden feature within the front garden. They have achieved outstanding proportions for these taxa (H. forsteriana up to 9-12 metres and H. belmoreana up to 7-9 metres clear trunk height). The palms measure approximately, height, H. forsteriana specimens, 9-12 metres H. belmoreana specimens 7-9 metres, canopy spread average 1.5 to 2.5 metres. The palms are thought to date from c.1910.
Numerous surrounding trees, including a very large Red Cedar (Toona ciliata) now merge with and reduce the visual significance and readability of the original plantings when viewed from the street.
Significance
This mixed collection of trees and palms makes a memorable impact on the quality of this streetscape. It consists of a range of multi-layered elements and is significant in terms of its existing integrity of historic fabric, overall composition, its grouped rainforest elements and designed garden setting.
The Lord Howe Island mixed palm group, including mature Kentia Palms (Howea forsteriana) and Sentry Palms (Howea belmoreana) were planted as integral components of the garden composition and have significance in terms of its overall integrity, composition and historic associations.
Historical notes
The front garden to this Italianate villa-style residence (built in 1886) contains a mixed collection of trees and palms which make a memorable impact on the quality of this streetscape.
The Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii) is believed to be a component of the former larger estate of Ferdinand Hamilton Reuss, that is, the pine may pre-date the existing residence (built 1886). A very tall tree, assumed to be the Pine, is evident in 1943 aerial photos of the area. This species is a highly ornamental rainforest tree with a distinctive, broadly spreading canopy and dramatic silhouette. It has been an important specimen planting since the mid-nineteenth century. Bunya Pines were often grouped with other native Australian rainforest species in public and private landscape schemes.
The Lord Howe Island mixed palm group, including mature Kentia Palms (Howea forsteriana) and Sentry Palms (Howea belmoreana) have been planted as integral components of the garden composition, dating from the pre war/ Federation period (1896-1914) or possibly early Inter-War period. Other important contextual and supportive elements include an American Bull Bay Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) and Washington Palm (Washingtonia robusta). These specimens are believed to be representative of various planted layers dating from the Inter-War and early Post War periods.
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