Quercus robur

This English Oak is one of a pair growing in the female airing court of Aradale Asylum. It is located in between the fever building and the sunshade. 

This English Oak is significant for scientific, historic, and social reasons at the Regional level. 

This English Oak is scientifically significant for its large canopy spread, which is comparable to other specimens in the Significant Tree Register.  

 

This English Oak is historically significant as one of the few remnant plantings from the original plantings at Aradale (File no: B2122). Aradale was built in 1864-67 as the Ararat Lunatic Asylum, and used for its original purpose until its closure in 1994. It is listed in the Victorian Heritage Register for architectural, historical and social significance (VHR 1223).  

The landscaping of the site was completed by prominent landscape gardener Hugh Linaker in 1916, however this planting is from earlier landscaping conducted in 1879. The oaks were planted on recommendations of Mr Ferguson, Inspector of State Forests in 1871, to add restful, shaded areas where patients could connect with nature in a therapeutic way. An Argus newspaper article quotes Ferguson as saying, 'A few oaks ... might be interspersed in groups throughout the plantation to vary and brighten up the landscape by their sweet tints of autumnal foliage'.   It is one of two oaks in the garden (T12447), and one of several trees on site listed in the Significant Tree Register. A Pink Hawthorn (T11275) and an Irish Yew (T11276) are also listed.  

This English Oak is socially significant for its contribution to the landscape. The remnant Oak plantings are heavily overgrown and their relationship to the buildings are a key element of the landscape, sitting in contrast to the pale brick walls and adding to the atmosphere of the disused buildings. 

Tree Measurements: 

 

Condition: Good 

Tree Type: Individual 

Circumference: 4.64m 

Height: 13m 

Canopy Spread: 26m 

Height method: Folded Paper 

Circumference method: Tape Measure 

Date of measurement: 29/11/2020 

Age of tree: 142 years (planted 1879) 

Condition: Good 

Tree Type: Individual 

Circumference: 4.14 m 

Height: 18 m 

Canopy Spread (m): 23.70 (EW), 25.90 (NS)

Height method: Instrument

Circumference method: Tape Measure 

Date of measurement: 15/11/2022