TREE PLANTATION (CANARY ISLAND PALMS)

The tree plantation in the centre of Duffy Street comprise a row of eleven regularly-spaced Canary Island date palm trees, alternating at one end with a row of five mature eucalypt trees.

How is it significant?

The tree plantation is of historical and aesthetic significance to the City of Moonee Valley.

Why is it significant?

Historically, the Canary Island date palms provide evidence of the extreme popularity of palm trees, and particularly this species, in Melbourne during the inter-war period. Of comparable date to the subdivision on which they stand, the row of palms is a fine example of formalised avenue of street trees. With eleven trees in a line, it is of the most substantial plantings of Canary Island palms in the municipality, although falls far short of the more celebrated row of 143 trees along Mt Alexander Road.

Aesthetically, the trees combine to form a minor landmark in this suburban streetscape. The condition of the trees themselves, their uniform size, regular spacing and formal planting arrangement all contribute to these landmark qualities. The trees also provide an appropriate setting and backdrop for the contemporaneous inter-war housing that proliferates in Duffy Street. The row of palm trees is enhanced by the lesser number of alternating eucalypts.

Group

Parks, Gardens and Trees

Category

Tree groups - street