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Quercus suber

Other Name

Cork Oak

Location

352 Canterbury St Kilda, PORT PHILLIP CITY

File Number

T12416

Level

Regional

Statement of Significance

What is significant?

This large pair of Cork Oaks grow next to the site of the former St Kilda Railway Station (VHR H1719). While originally planted as part of the railway station precinct, these trees sit outside the VHR boundary.

How is it significant?

These Cork Oaks are significant for scientific and social reasons at the Regional level.

Why is it significant?

These two large Cork Oaks are in good health and have impressive canopies, particularly the southern tree, which has a canopy spread of 20m.

The former St Kilda Railway Station is the oldest extant railway building in Victoria. Built in 1857, the station underwent significant extension in 1882 and again in 1907. Given the size and approximate age of the trees, they were most likely planted as part of the 1882 extension. Aerial photos form 1945 show there was once a third Cork Oak in this copse; it is unclear when it was removed.

There is one other Cork Oak railway station planting known to the Significant Tree Committee: A single tree at Dunolly Station, planted circa 1875 (File No: T12339). Another station planting was previously in the Register, at Lilydale Station (File No: 12134), but this tree was removed by Public Transport Victoria in 2018.

This pair of trees make a significant contribution to the landscape of the historic railway precinct.

Tree Measurements:

Condition: Good

Tree Type: Pair of trees

Northern tree:

Circumference: 2.5m

Height: 15m

Canopy spread: 15m

Height method: Other

Circumference method: Tape Measure

Southern tree:

Circumference: 3.3m

Height: 15m

Canopy spread: 20m

Height method: Other

Circumference method: Tape Measure

Date of measurement: July 2019

Age of trees: approximately 134 years (planted circa 1880s)

Group

Parks, Gardens and Trees