Tuart Tree, Gelorup

Values

• The place an excellent representative example of a mature Tuart Tree.
• The tree is rare as one of the last remaining big Tuart Trees that were once very common in the area.

Physical Description

The tree is an example of a very mature Tuart Tree (Eucalyptus gomphocephala), a species endemic to a narrow coastal corridor within the Swan Coastal Plain and south from Yanchep to Busselton.
The tree has a very large circumference of 8.8 metres, and is approximately 51.8 metres in height. It is estimated to be more than 300 years old. The tree is located in a proposed future road widening reserve and is the largest tree in a group of approximately 7 trees of various species, including another Tuart of a similar height but with a smaller circumference.
Tuarts can grow up to 40 metres high. They have dense foliage, with dull grey flaky bark and showy white to cream flowers appearing in mid summer to mid autumn. The leaves are often curved, and are a shiny light green above and paler below.

History

It is estimated that before Europeans arrived there were more than 111,600 hectares of Tuart woodland in Western Australia. With the arrival of Europeans, most of these coastal forest areas were cleared for settlement, agriculture, timber and fuel. It is estimated that only 35 per cent of these Tuart woodlands remain, with 67 percent of remaining trees located on freehold land. These remnant woodlands have been disturbed by grazing, fire regimes and past timber harvesting.
Most Tuart woodlands are now found at Ludlow, Yanchep and Yalgorup National Parks. Small areas of remnant Tuart woodlands are also found in Bold Park and Kings Park, Myalup and McLarty, and at sites near Yanchep, Woodman Point, Port Kennedy and the Harvey Estuary. There are smaller remnants of Tuart scattered across its natural range from Jurien Bay to south of Busselton.
Tuart Tree, Gelorup has been nominated to the National Trust (WA) for inclusion in the Register of Significant Trees. The nomination notes that the tree’s circumference and height rivals that of two National Champion trees in Wonnerup, Busselton which are listed on the National big tree register website.

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.