Eucalyptus cladocalyx

Spread (m): Average 8-10, 16-20

Girth (m): Average 2.3

Height (m): 15-25m

Estimated age (yrs): 90-100

Condition: Good

Access: Unrestricted

Classified: 06/03/2019

What is significant?

67 Sugar Gums (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) located north-eastward from Werribee along Geelong Road and Princes Highway.

How is it significant?

67 Sugar Gums (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) are significant for social and historical reasons at the Regional level.

Why is it significant?

This avenue of Sugar Gums (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) is believed to be deliberate and replacement plantings that form part of the historic Werribee Avenue of Honour and Calder Memorial Avenue along the Princes Highway and Geelong Road.

Sugar Gums were first planted as part of the Werribee Avenue of Honour in August 1918 as a reminder of the sacrifice of Werribee citizens in World War I. The Werribee Avenue of Honour is believed to differ from other commemorative plantings as there is evidence to suggest that the avenue was a mass planting dedicated to the contribution of the Werribee Shire during World War I, rather than individual plantings to honour each soldier that served. The avenue planting occurred over a number of years and is believed to have initially included between 250-500 trees. There was aspiration within the community for the planting to extend south west to Geelong and connect north east with an avenue that had commenced on the outskirts of Footscray.

Sugar Gums were also planted in 1928 as part of a commemorative planting dedicated to William Calder, the first chairman of the Country Roads Board and an instrumental individual behind the improvement of main roads in Victoria. Following his death in February 1928, an idea emerged to transform the existing project plan to plant trees along Geelong Road between Melbourne and Geelong into the Calder Memorial Avenue. It is believed that these trees were planted in specific plots within the existing Werribee Avenue of Honour, generally alternating on the north and south of the main road. It is believed that over 30,000 trees were planted as part of the Calder Memorial Avenue. Remnant trees from these plantings are believed to still exist along the old Princes Highway from Little River to Westleigh Drive, Werribee and from Tyrone Street, Werribee to Kororoit Creek, Brooklyn, and also as far north east as Footscray.

Subsequent changes to the Princes Highway, development of the Laverton air base, and construction of the Maltby Bypass have resulted in the removal of many of the original trees. Despite this, the remaining trees continue to make a significant contribution to the landscape.

Lack of documentary evidence presents challenges in ascertaining the exact extent of each planting. If further documentary evidence can be obtained to confirm additional remnant plantings these may be added to this classification.

Group

Parks, Gardens and Trees

Category

Tree groups - avenue