Threat: Neglect and Devaluation of Heritage Values
Photo: National Trust of Australia (ACT) Significance: A trial plantation of two species of Sequoia was established by Charles Weston at the direction of Walter Burley Griffin between 1912 and 1920. The maturing groves of trees now constitute an environment that is quite unique in Australia. The plantation is important for its aesthetic and historic values and as a research and teaching site. The plantation is important for its aesthetic characteristics, providing for the public a group of redwood trees with their distinctive form and dense green foliage. The site is ialso mportant for demonstrating one of Canberra designer Walter Burley Griffin’s landscape concepts for Canberra and the effort taken to achieve this. The plantation is also associated with Charles Weston, the first officer in charge of afforestation in the ACT. The redwood plantation is important as a horticultural research and teaching site which demonstrates the growth of Sequoia species in dry Australian conditions. The plantation is important for demonstrating technical achievement for the time; the germination and sowing of the largest redwood forest to be established in Australia. Statement of Risk: The trees have suffered severely during the current drought, many smaller trees have died and the larger surviving trees have many dead limbs. The public entrance to the forest is being illegally used for the dumping of rubbish which has not been cleared. There appears to have been little or no maintenance to the grove in recent times. Degree of Risk: High risk - no solution agreed Threats/Risks: Deterioration Fate/outcome: Suffering Desired Outcome / A maintenance program should be undertaken by the Commonwealth Government which will give these trees the best possible chance of survival under the current climatic conditions.
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Photo: National Trust of Australia (ACT) |
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OUR HERITAGE AT RISK - AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY - 2008
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