Description
The row plantation along the Parramatta Road frontage (including the Footbridge precinct group) continues an important thematic planting style dating from this period. This group includes Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla), Port Jackson Figs (Ficus rubiginosa), Deciduous Fig (Ficus superba var. henneana), Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii), Queensland Kauri Pine (Agathis robusta), Indian Chir Pines (Pinus roxburghii) and Wild Olive (Olea europaea subsp. africana). The predominant native rainforest figs and pines are typical of many of the City of Sydney’s public parks developed in the latter part of the nineteenth century. This group provides outstanding visual and aesthetic continuity, linking to Victoria Park. A more or less contiguous massing of mature, evergreen trees has been created along Parramatta Road from Broadway to the Footbridge theatre precinct (refer to Victoria Park listing in this Register).
Many of these trees are individually significant specimens. The individual canopy spread of some of the Moreton Bay Figs range up to 30 metres and extend over Parramatta Road creating a memorable landscape quality. The exotic Indian Chir Pines (Pinus roxburghii), although not particularly large specimens, are further important components within this historic group. Although other specimens of this species occur in the metropolitan area, these exotic pines are uncommon within the City of Sydney LGA.
A photograph (undated), taken possibly in the first decade of the twentieth century, looking towards the Main University Building from Broadway – Parramatta Road, shows the row of maturing figs described in this section. The figs were possibly 30-40 years old at this stage of development. An avenue of pines, possibly Stone Pines (Pinus pinea) can be seen in the background lining University Avenue. These pines pre-dated the existing avenue of Port Jackson Figs.
Significance
The grounds of the University of Sydney contain an exceptional collection of significant trees, many of which are important elements in association with heritage listed buildings and road precincts. A number of places and items are scheduled on the Register of the National Estate, the State Heritage Register, City of Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 and classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW). At a group level, the significant trees within the University are considered to be one of the City of Sydney’s more important collections in terms of the special combination of aesthetic, scientific, botanic, historic, social and commemorative values.
Many of these trees are of exceptional value, creating landscapes of high visual and aesthetic quality and a unique sense of place. The University’s significant trees are typically associated with the curtilage of historic buildings, building facades, boundaries to colleges and along the campus boundaries, ovals and sportsgrounds, internal roadways and pedestrian walkways, courtyards and a broad range of ancillary spaces. These trees tell the stories and aspirations of people. They also provide historic markers in the landscape, describing the way the campus developed over time and its close links with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Victoria Park (refer to other listings in this Register).
Historical notes
A large part of the collection dates from the mid- to late nineteenth century and reflects the eclectic thematic planting styles and various overlays of the period, particularly the influence of Charles Moore (Director, Royal Botanic Gardens 1848-1896) and the Macleay family. These nineteenth century landscapes contained strong structural elements. These trees have created a distinctive sense of place and continue to provide a rich legacy for the current and future generations of Sydney. They included consistent thematic planting palettes, row planting to boundaries, as well as informal clusters and groupings which combined to provide overall consistency, connectivity and integrity. During the Inter-War period (c. 1915-1940), Professor Leslie Wilkinson and Professor E.G. Waterhouse further influenced the landscape character of the University and introduced new elements which have now matured to become significant trees within this context.
Many of the trees occurring within the historic mixed row planting, adjacent to the Holme Building, Old Geology Building, Macleay Museum and Baxter’s Lodge (gatehouse) are of exceptional significance at both the individual and group levels. The Footbridge precinct group of trees adjoins the Macleay Museum Building, is listed on the Register of the National Estate. The museum was constructed in 1884 to house the famous Macleay collection, brought to Sydney in 1826, and held at Elizabeth Bay house until the building was completed (refer to Elizabeth Bay listings including ‘Boomerang’ 42 Billyard Avenue in this Register). This collection of trees is likely to have important associations with the Macleays and Charles Moore (Director, Royal Botanic Gardens 1848-1896).
Gallery
