Tragedy as 145-Year-Old Jerilderie Red Tree Cut Down Accidentally
A 145-year-old Jerilderie Red tree in NSW was accidentally cut down, sparking outrage as the tree's unique legacy was lost. Garden centre owner Tim Pickles announced plans to fund a replacement.
Tim Pickles, a garden centre owner from Sydney's Campbelltown, expressed his dismay after discovering that a magnificent 10-metre native Jerilderie Red tree had been cut down "by accident." This tree, known as the grandfather of all Jerilderie Reds in Australia, had its origins meticulously documented, marking the incident as a profound loss for local flora enthusiasts.
“I'm horrified... I can't believe it's gone,” Tim lamented to Yahoo News on Thursday. The tree was located on the grounds of a primary school in Jerilderie, a rural town in NSW's Riverina region. An arborist was commissioned by Teacher Housing to remove the tree after concerns were raised by a tenant regarding tree roots affecting the driveway.
Tim only recently learned about the tree's removal and theorised that local authorities may not have fully understood its historical significance, leading to the unfortunate event. “It was then chopped down in November without knowing the significance of the tree... a tree with this great Australian story,” he commented.
Teacher Housing reportedly expressed their apologies, but the weight of history lost was significant. The Jerilderie Red tree, an accidental cross between the Illawarra flame and the Kurrajong tree, was first cultivated in the 1880s by a student named Maggie MacDonald.
“It wasn't until 1958 that an amateur horticulturist noticed that the tree's bright red flowers were unique,” Tim explained. “All Jerilderie Reds found in nurseries originate from that tree because a cutting has to be taken for propagation; seeds cannot be used.”
The school now hosts several Jerilderie Reds, but Tim is keen on funding the planting of another tree to commemorate the original one. “It was so special... I'm horrified it's gone,” he concluded.
