Olea europaea subsp. Europaea

What is significant? 

 

This European Olive grove (Olea europaea subsp. Europaea) in Gheringhap is the oldest Olive in the Victorian Significant Tree Register. There are approximately 100 trees in good condition.  

How is it significant? 

 

This Olive grove is significant for scientific and historic reasons at the State level.  

Why is it significant? 

 

This grove is outstanding for its age and excellent condition, and contributes to historic knowledge of agricultural practices in Victoria. The trees are located on a farming property known as ‘Olive Grove’. The property was once owned by Thomas Davey, who arrived from England in 1854 and took up the Gheringhap allotment in 1856, naming it ‘Temple Farm’. Family records state that the family brought 500 olive saplings with them, purchased in South Africa on route to Australia. In 1870, the Geelong Advertiser announced the sale of ‘Cold-drawn oil for 12 shillings and 6 pence per gallon’ from this grove. 

 

There are around 100 trees remaining in two main groupings on the property. There are also two trees next to the bluestone walls remaining from the 1856 homestead. As of 2019, the owners did not harvest the olives. 

Tree Measurements: 

 

Condition: Good 

Tree Type: Grove 

Number of Trees: 100 

Average Circumference: .66m 

Average Height: 9m 

Average Canopy spread: 10.4m 

Height method: Instrument 

Circumference method: Tape Measure 

Date of measurement: December 2020 

Age of tree: approximately 164 years (planted from saplings circa 1856)