Description
The two mature Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla) are relatively small specimens for this taxon and are in very poor condition.
The fig located in the car parking area near the entrance stands 12 metres high with a canopy spread of 12 metres and trunk diameter of 1.0 metre at 1.0 metre above the ground. The tree is largely surrounded by bitumen hard-stand and appears to be in serious decline with a sparse canopy and a very high level of fig psyllid damage. The form and integrity has been heavily compromised by recent heavy pruning.
A second fig located near the front of the building (eastern façade) is the only remaining specimen of a former large group of figs. This is a very old, curious and stunted specimen of immense character (only 8 metres in height and 10 metres in canopy spread). The tree has damaged limbs, dead wood present in the crown, a history of extensive pruning and high level of fig psyllid damage. A replacement plantation of mixed Port Jackson Figs and Moreton Bay Figs has been initiated in recent years.
Significance
These two mature Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla) are likely to date from the mid-nineteenth century. They have historic significance due to their association with the broader collection of Moreton Bay Figs planted around Observatory Hill and Argyle Street during the same period. (see listings for Fort Street Public School, Agar Steps and Observatory Park).
Historical notes
In 1850, the Fort Street National School was established in the old military hospital (now part of the National Trust and SH Ervin Gallery building). The buildings, designed in the Victorian Free Classical and Victorian Regency styles are scheduled in the State Heritage Register, the City of Sydney Local Environmental Plan (CSH LEP 1) and Sydney City Heritage Study. The school was developed as a Model school and offered its older students secondary education by the late 1850’s. In 1881, it was raised to the status of Fort Street Superior Public School and by 1911 had become three schools on one campus (including Fort Street Boys High School and Fort Street Girls High School). In 1942, Fort Street Public School was established on the present site following the relocation of Fort Street Boys High School to Parramatta Road, Petersham (Source: Fort Street Public School web-site).
The two remnant mature Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla) are relatively small specimens for this taxon and are in very poor condition.
The fig located in the car parking area near the entrance stands 12 metres in height with a canopy spread of 12 metres and 1 metre diameter base. The tree is largely surrounded by bitumen hard-stand and appears to be in serious decline with a sparse canopy and a very high level of fig psyllid damage. The form and integrity has been heavily compromised by recent heavy pruning.
A second fig located near the front of the building (eastern façade) is the only remaining specimen of a former large group of figs. This is a very old, curious and stunted specimen of immense character (only 8 metres in height/ 10 metres in canopy spread). The tree has damaged limbs, dead wood present in the crown, a history of extensive pruning and high level of fig psyllid damage. These remnant figs have significance in terms of their historic, cultural, social and representative values. They are likely to date from the mid-nineteenth century period. Furthermore, they are an integral part of a broader collection of Moreton Bay Figs in this location and have group significance at the City/ LGA level (refer to Fort Street Public School, Agar Steps and Observatory Park listings in this Register).
A replacement plantation of mixed Port Jackson Figs and Moreton Bay Figs has been initiated in recent years.
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