Trees Classified by the National Trust of Australia (Vic) as "Significant Trees"
Two of our Bickleigh Vale trees were classified by the National Trust committee in March 2015 who agreed to recommend to the National Trust classifications committee that both trees be included in the Trust's register at a State level. The two trees were finally approved by their Board and went live 0n National Trust website and App in July 2017.
Special thanks go to Coral Cunningham of Bickleigh Vale who,has worked tirelessly to make this happen.
Special thanks go to Coral Cunningham of Bickleigh Vale who,has worked tirelessly to make this happen.
Dunn’s White Gum (Eucalyptus dunnii), Median Strip, Edna Walling Lane, South End
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NOTE: Edna Walling Lane is a public road all the way to the driveway gates at 'The Barn' and 'Devon Cottage' including the divided section where you'll find the Dunn's White Gum.
Click Here to go to the National Trust web site entry
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STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (extract from the NTA(Vic) Classification Report - read the full report here):
NAME :
Family: Myrtaceae
Botanical Name: Eucalyptus dunnii
Common name: Dunn’s White Gum
Location:
Address & Locality: Median Strip, Edna Walling Lane, south end
Municipality (Shire/Council): Yarra Ranges Shire Council
Melway / Vicroads Reference: 52 A2
Longitude: 145°19'51.08"E
Latitude: 37°47'30.05"S
What is significant?
Growing in the Edna Walling Lane median strip is a striking white trunked Dunn’s White Gum. This tree is the only known example of this species in Victoria. The tree is growing within (or beside an area that Walling had developed as a nursery. Walling in her later career developed an interest in Australian flora.
How is it significant?
The Dunn’s White Gum is significant for aesthetic and rarity reasons at a State level.
Why is it significant?
This tree is the only known example of this species in Victoria. Dunn’s White Gum has an impressive white trunk and the towering tree and high spreading canopy is a distinctive feature in the landscape.
Context
Growing in the median strip in Edna Walling Lane amongst exotic trees and shrubs
Post Oak (Quercus stellata), Garden of 'Sonningfield’, 2 Edna Walling Lane,
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Click Here to go to the National Trust web site entry
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STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: (extract from the NTA(Vic) Classification Report - read the full report here):
NAME :
Family: Fagaceae
Botanical Name: Quercus stellata
Common name: Post Oak
Location:
Address & Locality: ‘Sonningfield’, 2 Edna Walling Lane, Mooroolbark. Growing a rear (east) of new residence
Municipality (Shire/Council): Yarra Ranges Shire
Melway / Vicroads Reference: 52 A2
Longitude: 145°19'52.00"E
Latitude: 37°47'30.34"S
What is significant?
Growing in the former grounds of ‘Sonning’ the home of Edna Walling, the Post Oak is an impressive tree with a large straight trunk and high canopy. This tree is the only known example of this species in Victoria.
How is it significant?
The Post Oak is significant for historic and rarity reasons at a State level.
Why is it significant?
This tree is the only known example of this species in Victoria. The Post Oak is growing in the former grounds of ‘Sonning’, the home of Edna Walling. The location is in an area developed as a nursery by Walling.
Context
The Post Oak is growing in a private garden and is part of a row of 3 trees. The other two trees to the north are a Funeral Cypress and a Pin Oak. Nearby are other oaks (Quercus macrocarpa), Monterey Pines, Monterey Cypress, holly and rhododendrons.
Did you know Bickleigh Vale has its very own Crabapple?
"Oh: I'm immensely proud of Malus 'Sonning'. This year it is more than ever evident that it is the clearest of all the wine-red varieties...There is, of course, no justification for my pride, for it was just one of those flukes of Nature!"
Letters to Garden Lovers", Australian Home Beautiful, November 1938. Edna Walling
At Bickleigh Vale we are happy to have some of these specimens of horticultural significance... the Malus x purpurea 'Sonningensis' - a crabapple selected about 1936-40 by Edna Walling from her garden 'Sonning'.
In 2017 we have a some old specimen trees sprinkled throughout Bickleigh Vale however we are unsure of their origin. Did Edna Walling plant them? We know she planted some at Mistover and Lynton Lea and of course her own garden Sonning , Unfortunately some of these were lost in droughts throughout the years since they were planted.
We do have quite a few that were planted after one of our residents sourced some from a local nursery who developed the stock from trees from Methodist Ladies College school in Kew where Edna Walling originally planted some of the gardens. Since being planted, most of these trees have thrived in the gardens so the Sonning Crabapple is alive and well at Bickleigh Vale and we treasure our "bold lass".
In 2017 we have a some old specimen trees sprinkled throughout Bickleigh Vale however we are unsure of their origin. Did Edna Walling plant them? We know she planted some at Mistover and Lynton Lea and of course her own garden Sonning , Unfortunately some of these were lost in droughts throughout the years since they were planted.
We do have quite a few that were planted after one of our residents sourced some from a local nursery who developed the stock from trees from Methodist Ladies College school in Kew where Edna Walling originally planted some of the gardens. Since being planted, most of these trees have thrived in the gardens so the Sonning Crabapple is alive and well at Bickleigh Vale and we treasure our "bold lass".
From "A Gardeners Log" written by Edna Walling 1948:
"It is now 22 September, and here follows all that is in flower at the moment. Right in front of the office window is Malus sonningensis at her very best. She is a bold lass, with all the richness of colouring of M. 'Eleyi' ( one of the best of the red wine - red varieties of the floribundas type of Crabapple but later in flower). This chance seedling that came up at Sonning certainly knocks the old M. purpurea clean pit of the running [ in spite of its Latin form, the name M. sonningensis has, of course, no official status]. I am ashamed there isn't a single M. floribunda to be seen ; my sole specimen the opossums took to with tremendous gusto, and I have neglected to plant numbers of this delightful of all the crabs, to my very great discredit. When ordering, don't let them send you M.purpurea; floribunda has bright red buds, open in white petals, and therein lies its charm ; purpurea has petals of a washed out red."
"It is now 22 September, and here follows all that is in flower at the moment. Right in front of the office window is Malus sonningensis at her very best. She is a bold lass, with all the richness of colouring of M. 'Eleyi' ( one of the best of the red wine - red varieties of the floribundas type of Crabapple but later in flower). This chance seedling that came up at Sonning certainly knocks the old M. purpurea clean pit of the running [ in spite of its Latin form, the name M. sonningensis has, of course, no official status]. I am ashamed there isn't a single M. floribunda to be seen ; my sole specimen the opossums took to with tremendous gusto, and I have neglected to plant numbers of this delightful of all the crabs, to my very great discredit. When ordering, don't let them send you M.purpurea; floribunda has bright red buds, open in white petals, and therein lies its charm ; purpurea has petals of a washed out red."
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Location, Address & Locality: ‘Sonningfield’, 2 Edna Walling Lane, Mooroolbark.
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Malus x purpurea sonningensis x 2
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Sonning Crabapple
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July '24: Established 2012 and thriving.
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Our Other Significant Trees
From survey by John Hawker, National Trust of Australia (Vic), March 2014
Sonning/Sonningfield, 23 Pine Road and 2 Edna Walling Lane
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Quercus bicolor
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White Oak
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Quercus stellata
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Post Oak
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Only known example of this species in Victoria
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Betula pendula
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Silver Birch
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A group of small Silver Birches with multiple branch damage is present
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Seqoiadendron giganteum
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Giant Redwood
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Sequoia sempervirens
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Coast Redwood
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Cupressus torulosa
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Bhutan Cypress
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Pseudotsuga mensiezii
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Douglas Fir (Oregon)
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Chamaecyparis funebris
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Funeral Cypress
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Acmena smithii
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Lilly Pilly
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Pinus radiata
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Monterey Pine
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Pittosporum undulatum
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Sweet Pittosporum
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Eucalyptus radiata
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Narrow Leafed Peppermint
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Hesperocyparis macrocarpa
(formley Cupressus macrocarpa) |
Monterey Cypress
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Ilex aquilifolium
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English Holly
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Badgers Wood, 17 Bickleigh Vale Road
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Ulmus glabra 'Lutescens'
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Golden Elm
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Crataegus sp. (check species)
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Hawthorn
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Thornapple
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Windsong, 25 Bickleigh Vale Road
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Quercus canariensis
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Algerian Oak
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July '24 - Still strong and stable.
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Leptospermum sp.
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Tea Tree
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July '24: Originally noted in March '14 as "Suffering stress". Now can't be found and needs to be professionally identified.
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Wimborne, 19 Bickleigh Vale Road
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Chamaecyparis lawsonniana
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Lawson's Cypress
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January '26: In March '14 it was noted as "Suffering stress but no viable solutions to resolve this." Has been removed with a Heritage permit.
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The Barn, 3 Edna Walling Lane
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Quercus ilex
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Holm Oak or Holly Oak
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July '24: Alive and well
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Quercus bicolor
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Swamp White Oak
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March '14: Now lost but stump still exists
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Glencairn, 9 Bickleigh Vale Road
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Quercus acutissima
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Japanese Chestnut Oak or Bristel-tipped Oak
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Quercus macrocarpa
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Burr Oak
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Zelkova serrata
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Japanese Zelkova
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August '19: Lost in big storm
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Rosa 'Edna Walling'
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Lynton Lee, 9 Pine Road
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Quercus 'Macedon'
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Hybrid Oak
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Quercus rubra
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Northern Red Oak
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Quercus macrocarp
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Burr Oak
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Quercus. nigra
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Water Oak
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Quercus canariensis
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Algerian Oak
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Betula pendula
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Silver Birch
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Pinus wallichiana
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Himalayan White Pine
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Malus x purpurea "Sonningensis"
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Sonning Crabapple
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Sarn, 26 Bickleigh Vale Road
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Callitris glaucophylla
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White Cypress Pine
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Unable to confirm due to overgrown garden
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Downderry, 10 Bickleigh Vale Road
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Hesperocyparis glabra
(formerly Cupressus glabra) |
Smooth-barked Arizona Cypress
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July '24: Dead and removed
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The Spinney, 15 Bickleigh Vale Road
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Carpinus betulis
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Hornbeam
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died due to heat stress
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Hesperocyparis lusitanica
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Mexican Cypress
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July '24: In March '14, it was noted as "died due to heat stress" but subsequently, it recovered and is now alive and well.
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Mistover, 4 Bickleigh Vale Road
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Eucalyptus rubida
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Candlebark
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Malus x purpurea (sonningenesis)
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Sonning Crabapple
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died and removed
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Hurst, 102 Pembroke Road
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Acacia prominens
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Golden Wreath Wattle
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Bena Lodge, 122 Cardigan Road
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Pyrus persica
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Persian Pear
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(very large tree east of house)
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Bickleigh Vale Road
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Pinus muricata
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Bishop's-cone Pine
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(Near Hurst. Died and removed February 2016 - seeds retained)
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Quercus canariensis
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Algerian Oak
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Edna Walling Lane
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Eucalyptus dunnii
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Dunns Gum
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Only known tree in Vic
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Other Impressive Trees
Whilst not officially 'significant'trees, there are many other very impressive trees in the village.
Location, Address & Locality: ‘Whistlewood’, 1 Edna Walling Lane, Mooroolbark. Driveway entrance
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Candlebark Gum
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Eucalyptus rubida
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July '24: Alive & well
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