Local Government
Manjimup
Region
South West
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Burma Rd Pemberton
Location Details
Other Name(s)
East Tree (fmr)
Construction Date
Constructed from 1946
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 08 Dec 2016 |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified {Trees} |
|
Heritage Council | ||
| Statewide Lge Timber Str Survey | Completed | 11 Dec 1998 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 28 Aug 2008 | Category A |
Category A |
|
Statement of Significance
Historic, Social, Scientific, Rarity, Aesthetic and Representativeness
Physical Description
• Tall, straight Karri tree;
• 61 m high;
• Lower branches cleared for access;
• Series of pegs and rungs form spiral ladder;
• Safety mesh follows path of ladder;
• Ladder leads to timber cabin at top of tree, and;
• Timber platform with access steps at base of tree.
History
The Gloucester Tree lookout, located in Burma Rd just outside
Pemberton, was built in 1946 as a fire look out tower.
The South West karri forest region posed a special problem. There were
few prominent hills and forest giants towering 70 -80m above the ground.
A young forester, Don Stewart, (later to become Conservator of Forests),
who in 1937 conceived the idea of using the trees themselves as Look
Out Towers.
One of these was the Gloucester Tree lookout, built in 1946. An
extremely tall karri known as ‘Eastree’ was selected as a tower tree, and
forester J E Watson made a record tree climb of 190ft (61m) using
climbing irons, safety belt and rope. The branches were lopped and the
tower cabin was constructed. His Royal Highness, the Duke of
Gloucester was visiting, and witnessed the superb skill and courage of the
axeman who lopped the branches 200 ft above the groups. The tree was
renamed the Gloucester Tree in honour of his visit.
The Gloucester Tree was used continuously as a fire lookout until spotter
planes took over the surveillance role in 1974. Since then it has been a
popular tourist attraction, and in 2002 one million people were recorded
as having climbed the tree.
Refer to 16.6 for more historical notes
Integrity/Authenticity
Integrity: Good
Authenticity: Good
Condition
Good
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pemberton Trout Acclimatisation Society Souvenir brochure:"Trout in the Karri Country". | State Tourist and Publicity Bureau | 1949 |
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6607 | Register of significant trees as at June 1988. | Report | 1988 |
| 5802 | Lookouts of the Karri Country. | Report | 1993 |
Place Type
Tree
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | FORESTRY | Other |
| Present Use | FORESTRY | Other |
Creation Date
21 Aug 1995Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
29 Apr 2021Disclaimer
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.