Description
The senescent Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata), is located on the upper grassed slope adjacent to the north-eastern boundary within the curtilage of St Johns Rectory, adjoining war memorial and Dr H J Foley Rest Park. The canopy and roots extend over the lawn area and adjacent reserve. It measures approximately, height 16 metres, canopy spread 10 metres with twin trunks with a diameter of 0.6-0.7 metres each at one metre above the ground. This tree is estimated to date from c.1850.
This senescent tree is in poor condition with a history of possible storm damage to the upper crown and unsympathetic heavy pruning to main branches. It appears a large fig (possibly F.rubiginosa) has been removed from the tree trunk in recent years. A significant part of the crown contains dead wood, including large dead branches. There is extensive heartwood decay and large cavities throughout both of the main trunks. However the tree is showing renewed vigour with evidence of adventitious and epicormic regrowth.
The row planting of nine Chinese Windmill Palms (Trachycarpus fortunei) around the immediate perimeter of the church and entry steps measure approximately, height 1.5-5 metres (clear trunk), with canopy spread of 1.0 metre. The canopy and root zone are confined to the church yard. The palms are believed to date from c.1910. They are of variable sizes and in good condition with strong apical growth evident.
Significance
St John’s Church (Bishopthorpe) has high historic, aesthetic and social significance. It is a fine example of a Victorian Romanesque style sandstone church which is major townscape element and local landmark. The church was built in 1868-70 to the design of prominent architects Edmund Blacket and John Horbury Hunt, with the vestry and tower, both designed by Cyril Blacket, completed in the early twenteith century. It is listed on the City of Sydney Local Environment Plan 2012. (State Heritage Register)
The senescent Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata), located within the curtilage of St Johns Rectory, is a local native specimen tree of regional significance in terms of botanic, historic and ecological values. An uncommon species to have been selected for ornamental planting, this tree may be the last remnant of a former Turpentine – Ironbark Forest community in this ridge top location.
The row planting of 10 Chinese Windmill Palms (Trachycarpus fortunei) around the immediate perimeter of the church and entry steps were often included in churchyards as individuals or pairs near entry points and usually within a broader palette of palms and other trees.
Historical notes
The churchyard of St Johns Anglican Church (also known as St Johns Bishopthorpe) is sited on a prominent knoll at the junction of St Johns Road and Glebe Point Road, adjacent to Dr H J Foley Rest Park. The land was originally part of the 1796 grant of 400 acres to Reverend Richard Johnson, known as “The Glebe”. The mixed group of trees and palms are significant in defining the evolution and aesthetic qualities of this churchyard and its Norman style church. These trees and palms also reinforce the broader historic and cultural landscape context of the St Johns Road Group of Victorian era buildings, the adjoining Dr HJ Foley Rest Park and Bridge Road elements (refer to listings in this Register). St Johns Anglican Church is listed in the Register of the National Estate (the churchyard, fence and gateways are listed – no reference to landscaping or significant trees), City of Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 and Leichhardt Heritage Study. The church, designed by Edmund Blacket in 1869-80 and assisted by John Horbury Hunt, has Norman detailing (incl. boundary walls), which was rare in nineteenth century church design.
The Eucalypt may be the last remnant of a former Turpentine – Ironbark Forest community in this ridge top location. This vegetation community would have been restricted to the shale-capped ridges overlying Hawkesbury sandstones. Turpentine – Ironbark Forest had an open forest structure up to 20-30 metres in height and originally extended on Wianamatta Shale soils from Glebe and Newtown westward to Auburn. This vegetation was cleared for timber production, agriculture and later urban development. A photograph taken c.1875 appears to support the possibility of this Ironbark being a remnant from this original vegetation community (refer to Figure 18.8.2).
The photograph was taken from the Glebe Road and St Johns Road intersection and shows a Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) in the foregound and another smaller Eucalypt to the right mid-ground. The Blackbutt, only a relatively young regrowth specimen, is showing signs of decline with significant deadwood in the crown. The second smaller tree could be a Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata) or a number of other similar looking component species, such as White Stringybark (E. globoidea), Red Mahogany (E. resinifera) or Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera). Although the existing Grey Ironbark is out of the view (to the right) these two remnant trees are typical of a Turpentine – Ironbark Forest or intergrade ridge-top community.
Apart from the persistent lithophyte, Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa), no other remnant indigenous tree or shrub species are known to still occur in the Glebe area. This tree’s numerous cavities are likely to provide vital habitat for other dependent native species. The blossoms are a food source for the Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) and Little Red Flying Fox (Pteropus scapulatus). Further investigation is required to determine the level of significance of this specimen. Seed from this tree should be collected for regeneration and recruitment as a matter of urgency.
The row planting of nine Chinese Windmill Palms (Trachycarpus fortunei) around the immediate perimeter of the church and entry steps were often included in churchyards as individuals or pairs near entry points and usually within a broader palette of palms and other trees. This planting is likely to have occurred after the initial building phase and may be associated with additions such as the vestry (1909) and tower (1911) designed by Cyril Blackett. The two Brush Box specimens, near the church entry off Glebe Point Road, are important component species. Although relatively stunted in height, these specimens may date from the 1909-1911 period of construction.
Other components and associates, located in the western car parking area near the St John’s Retirement Village, include the native rainforest species – Plum Pine (Podocarpus elatus) and Queensland Firewheel Tree (Stenocarpus sinuatus).
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