Ludlow Tuart Forest (Heritage Precinct)

Child Places

• 15834 Ludlow Forestry Mill and Settlement

Statement of Significance

The historic precinct was the location of the first Forestry School in the State, established in 1921 as a result of the work of internationally renowned forest conservator, Charles Edward Lane-Poole, and exemplifies his forestry management philosophy.
The pine plantation for which the sawmill, workshops and workers’ housing were built is representative of a number of pine plantations established in the early 1900s to provide an alternative timber supply to imports and local hardwoods.
The place has social value for the many groups and individuals who have attended the place for educational purposes or recreation. The complex contributes to the community sense of place for its longevity in the landscape since the 1920s.

Physical Description

Ludlow Forestry Mill and Settlement, comprising Ludlow Road and river bridge, unsealed bush lanes, eleven forestry cottages featuring original timber and woven wire fencing, domestic cottage gardens and timber framed and clad outbuildings, together with the former sawmill and workshops site in its fenced compound and sundry other structures
including three timber framed water tank stands with metal tanks, all located in a forest setting featuring pines and mature tuarts.

History

The Forests Department (then the Woods and Forests Department) started planting the Ludlow area with pines in the early 1910s and accommodation was built for the caretaker and single men clearing and planting the plantation. The State’s first Forestry School was established at Ludlow in 1921 and remained in operation until 1927, necessitating the
construction of a school building (including accommodation for apprentices) and a house for the instructor, as well as
ancillary buildings such as stores. From c. 1938 to c. 1947 when a new house was built, the Forester-in-Charge and his family lived in the old Forestry School building.
The main Ludlow Forestry Mill and Settlement was established in the 1950s when a sawmill was constructed to process pine from the Plantation and some Tuart from the nearby forest. The mill operated until the mid-1970s. Since that time, many of the buildings at Ludlow Settlement have been used for research and museum purposes and the houses have either been sold or leased to private individuals.

Integrity/Authenticity

ntegrity Notes: Whilst the Ludlow tuart forests are the best remaining examples of tuart forest, they have been substantially modified over the years as a result of logging, silvicultural research, the establishment of pine plantations, grazing and changed fire regimes.
As a result, the forest is now a mixture of natural tuart forest with a disturbed understorey, pine plantation and areas of eucalypt research plots. Grazing has reduced the forest fuel level to the point where it will not carry fires hot enough to create the ash bed conditions necessary for tuart recruitment and has resulted in the degradation of waterways within the forest.
Most of the rivers have been channelised where they pass through the Ludlow/Wonnerup area and there has been considerable drainage of seasonally inundated areas to improve their suitability for agricultural use. However, the Vasse/Wonnerup Estuary continues to be nationally and internationally significant for the maintenance of populations of both resident and migratory waterbirds.
The place retains a high degree of integrity.

Authenticity Notes: The place retains a high degree of authenticity.

High Degree/High Degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.