Sadly, if it’s historic or if it’s iconic or both, whether it be a building, a structure or even a tree, the chances of it surviving the rigours of modern-day Redcliffe are slim! Last year, a magnificently large and iconic Norfolk pine tree, originally planted on the Prince Edward Parade Esplanade around 80 years ago, was destroyed by vandals, who bore two holes at its base and put poison into them. It spelled the end of a grand old icon, admired and loved by many residents and visitors.
A New Beginning with the Hoop Pine
All seemed lost, but a good mate of mine, Colin Scobie, a member of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, alerted me to some good news. He told me the City of Moreton Bay, undeterred by the vandal’s dastardly act, has replaced the dead Norfolk pine with a distant relative of the pine family, Araucaria cunninghamii, commonly known as the hoop pine. The hoop pine has another claim to fame. It played a massive role in the establishment of Queensland’s forestry industry, being the first timber to be exported from Brisbane to England.
Although the hoop pine is an Australian rainforest tree, it is well known for its ornamental and cultural values and hopefully will be suited to its new coastal location. It was named for its discoverer, the renowned 19th-century botanist Allan Cunningham who was part of the team who set up the 1824 convict settlement in Redcliffe and explored the then thick bush of the Peninsula. He is also remembered by Cunningham’s Gap, which stands between Ipswich and Warwick. His burial site is marked by an obelisk in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
This planting of the hoop pine also has future historic connotations. It represents an important part of City of Moreton Bay’s Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2042, which talks about planting trees to enhance the liveability of the area.
Read more stories from our Redcliffe Guide print magazine here:
- Reddy Roundup: Updates from the Community
- Stay Cyber Safe: Protect Yourself in a Digital World
- Keitha Drake: a woman at work in a man’s world
- Redcliffe Botanic Gardens: An Oasis in the Heart of Redcliffe
- Every Scoop Brings A Smile at Miss Sprinkles Gelato
- Margate Street Library
- Explore the Rich History of Pierre’s Mill
- Celebrating 100 Years of Scarborough State School
- Mousetrap Theatre Makes Moves
- Spit Movie Review and Interview
- Money for Nothin’ Dire Straits Tribute Band to Rock Redcliffe
- Council Launches Program to Strengthen Hospitality Sector
- Local Faces: Diahann Maude
- Craft for All at Craftival
- Humpybong Creek Clean Up
- Harmony Week: Making Time at Redcliffe Art Gallery
- Young Artists Celebrate Frida Kahlo
- A Golden Ticket to Musical Magic
- Shining a Light on Local Women
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Brad’s Business Tips
- Podcast Review
- What is strength?
- The Secret to Balance: A Small Change with a Big Impact
- SpikyPuffer
- Organic Gardening in March
