SIGNIFICANT TREES OF MELBOURNE

Hesperocyparis macrocarpa-Monetary Cypress with a girth of 10.86 m and an ht of 30 m assessed

to be about 150 years

Hesperocyparis (Western Cypress) is a genus of trees in the family Cupressaceae, containing North
American species. Otherwise it is assigned to the genus Cupressus. This is commonly known as
Monetery Cypress. This species of cypress is native to the Central Coast of California. This has been
recently transferred to the genus Hesperocyparis, on genetic evidence that the New World
Cupressus are not very closely related to the old World Cupressus species. This is a lofty coniferous
evergreen tree. The bright green foliage releases a deep lemony aroma when crushed. The leaves
are scale-like, 2-5 mm long. The foliage is slightly toxic to livestock and can cause miscarriages in
cattle. Sawn logs are used for boat building, furniture structural material and decorative wood
because of its fine colours. This is frequently grown as a windbreak tree on farms, usually in rows or
shelter belts in Australia and New Zealand. This is also planted as an ornamental tree.
 HERITAGE TREE OF MELBOURNE-B

Cedrus libani-Cedar of Lebanon with a girth 6.24 m and a ht of 14 m assessed to be about 150
years with seed cones in the other photo

Cedrus libani belongs to the family Pinaceae. This is a species of cedar native to the mountains of
the Mediterranean. This is an evergreen coniferous tree. The leaves are needle-like. In Lebanon and
Turkey this occurs most abundantly at altitudes of 1,000-2,000 m, where this forms pure forests or
mixed forests. The Cedar of Lebanon was important to many civilizations. The Phoenicians used the
tree for building commercial and military ships, houses, palaces and temples. The ancient Egyptians
used its resin in mummification and its sawdust has been found in the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs.
The Sumerian Epic designates the cedar groves of Lebanon as the dwelling place of the Gods.
Hebrew priests were ordered by Moses to use the bark of the Lebanon Cedar in circumcision and the
treatment of leprosy. Jews once burned Lebanese cedar wood on the Mount of Olives to celebrate
the New Year. Foreign rulers preferred the wood for religious and civil constructs, the most famous
of which are King Solomons Temple in Jerusalem and Davids and Solomons Palaces. Because of its
significance the word Cedar is mentioned 75 times (Cedar 51 times and Cedars 24 times) in the Bible.
It was also used by Romans, Greeks, Persians, Assyrians and Babylonians. This is the national
emblem of Lebanon. As a result of long exploitation, only a few old trees remain Lebanon. This is
under Threatened category as per IUCN. This is widely planted as an ornamental tree in parks and
large gardens. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Societys Award of Garden Merit.
Taxodium mucronatum-Montezuma bald cypress, with a girth of 6.28 m and an ht of 44 m
assessed to be about 160 years

This is also known as Montezuma bald cypress, Montezuma cypress, Sabino or Ahuehuete. This
belongs to the family Taxodiaceae. This is a species of Taxodium native to Mexico, Texas (USA) and
Guatemala. This is a large evergreen or semi-evergreen tree. Montezuma cypress is primarily a
riparian tree, growing along upland riversides, but can also be found next to springs and marshes.
This is drought-tolerant and fast-growing. This became the national tree of Mexico in 1910. This tree
is sacred to the native peoples of Mexico. This tree has been used as ornamental tree since Pre-
Columbian times. Ahuehuetes are cultivated in Mexican parks and gardens. The wood is used to
make house beams and furniture. Its resin is used to treat ulcers, skin diseases, wounds and
toothaches. A decoction of the bark is used as a diuretic. The leaves are used for curing itching.
Quercus robur- Fastigiata-(Cypress Oak)-with a girth of 8.32 m and a height of 24 m and assessed to
be about 250 years

Quercus robur is commonly known as the English oak or French oak and belongs to the family
Fagaceae. This is also known as Pedunculate Oak and is important in culture and folklore
throughout Europe. Sometimes, this is known as the King of Trees and is much-loved symbol of
strength and duration. This is native to most of Europe to the Caucasus and also in Anatolia. This
tree is widely cultivated in temperate regions and found in wild in scattered parts of China and North
America. This is a large deciduous tree. This is a long-lived tree with a large wide spreading crown of
rugged branches. This tree has great ecological importance. This is valued for its importance to
insects and other wildlife. Plenty of insects live on the leaves, buds and in the acorns. This supports
the highest biodiversity of insect herbivores. The acorns are valuable food resource for several small
mammals and some birds. The heartwood is durable much in demand for interior and furniture
work. The timber has been valued for ship-building, furniture-making and panelling. English oak is
one of the most common park trees in Australia, known for its vigorous and luxuriant growth. In
countries like Spain, France, Bulgaria, Croatia, England, Germany, Ireland and Romania the oak is
given topmost importance. This tree has been classified as Threatened Species as per IUCN.
Quercus alba with a girth of 3.36 m and a height of about 23 m and assessed to be about 120 years

Quercus alba belongs to the family Fagaceae. The White Oak is one of the important long-lived
hardwoods of eastern and central North America. In the forest it can reach a magnificent height. This
is cultivated as an ornamental tree. Though initially it grows slowly, ultimately attains huge size. The
wood is used for making wine and whisky barrels, construction, shipbuilding, agricultural
implements and in the interior finishing of houses. This is used extensively in Japan martial arts for
some weapons, such as the bokken and jo. The acorns are valuable wildlife food, mainly for turkeys,
wood ducks, pheasants, jays, nuthatches, thrushes, woodpeckers, rabbits, squirrels and deer.

White Oak has served as the official State Tree of Illinois after selection by a vote of school children.
This is also the State Tree of Connecticut and Maryland.
 Brachychiton rupestris-Queensland Bottle Tree-planted in 1942

This tree is commonly known as the narrow-leaved bottle tree or Queensland bottle tree. Belongs to
the family Malvaceae. Native to Queensland of Australia. This tree was discovered only in 1848.
The tree got its name because of its bulbous trunk. This is a deciduous tree. The leaves are simple or
divided with narrow leaf blades. The size of the leaf will be 11 centimetres long and 2 centimetres
wide. The flowers are cream colour. The follicles will be boat-shaped. Being a drought-deciduous
succulent tree, this is easy to cultivate and tolerant of a range of soils and temperatures. This grows
on the tops and slopes of hills or ridges in low hilly country. The species is conserved within its
natural habitat in many National Parks. The roots of young plants are eaten by the Aboriginal people.
The secretion from the trunk induced by wounds is also consumed. The fibre got from the tree is
used for making nets. The leaves have fodder value. Bottle trees are planted in streets, parks, farms
and gardens. This can be grown from seeds, but may take 20 years for flowering. Propagation can be
made through stem cuttings also by application of root harmones.
Ficus macrophylla with a girth of 9.42 m and a ht of 23 m assessed to be about 140 years

The commonly known Moreton Bay fig is a large evergreen banyan tree belongs to the family
Moraceae. This is a native of the eastern coast of Australia. Its common name is derived from
Moreton Bay in Queensland, Australia. Individuals may reach 60 m in height. This has an obligate
mutualism with fig wasps; figs are pollinated by fig wasps only and fig wasps can reproduce only in
fig flowers. The trunk will be massive with thick buttressing. This is monoecious, each tree bears
functional male and female flowers. The large number of fruits produced by this tree is an important
food source to pigeons, doves, cuckoo-shrike, fig bird, bowerbird, etc. Fruit bats also feed on the
fruits. The Moreton Bay fig has been widely used in public parks in frost free areas. The soft light
timber has a wavy texture and is used for cases. Aborigines traditionally used the fibres for fishing
nets.

V.Sundararaju, Former IFS officer,

SOFCON,

Tamil Nadu, India.

Mail id: sundarifs.raju@gmail.com.

www.sofcon.org

Mobile: 9443170366.