ITALIAN CYPRESS (3) AT COUNCIL OFFICES, MAIN RD

895 MAIN RD ELTHAM, NILLUMBIK SHIRE

All information on this page is maintained by Nillumbik Shire. Click below for their website and contact details.

Nillumbik Shire

213 - 3 Pencil Pines at Council Offices Eltham - These three pencil pines immediately in front of the first stage of the Shire of Eltham Municipal Offices (in the 1968) (ELHPC No.657) - Shire of Eltham Heritage Study 1992

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • Physical Description 1

    ITALIAN CYPRESS (3) AT COUNCIL OFFICES, MAIN RD - Physical Description 1

    ELTHAM STUDY DESCRIPTON:

    These trees are of upright columnar form and planted close together, adjacent to and in front of the Eltham Shire Offices.

    Physical Description 2

    ITALIAN CYPRESS (3) AT COUNCIL OFFICES, MAIN RD - Physical Description 2

    REVISED OR EXTENDED DESCRIPTON:

    The three Italian cypress trees. would appear to date from the same period as the Shillinglaw Cottage and were probably planted by the original builder George Stebbing, 1875-1882, or the Shillinglaw family, 1882-1963. More detailed historical research may reveal a more accurate date of planting. As exotic plantings more typical of the nineteenth century, trees of this type and age are not common in the Nillumbik Shire. The private planting theme is particularly strongly reflected in that the trees are the only identified remnants of the once 40 acres of land attached to the Shillinglaw Cottage. As indicated by early photographs, the trees have been an important streetscape element on the Main Road for over 100 years.

    The cultural significance of the cypress trees is specific to the site, in that they date from the same period as the construction of the Shillinglaw Cottage and that they are the sole indicator of the original location of the building. They are also important elements which contribute to the streetscape and the Eltham Gateway Zone, which itself has significance resulting from the collection of individually significant buildings and structures. They are considered to be of local significance.

    Physical Description 3

    ITALIAN CYPRESS (3) AT COUNCIL OFFICES, MAIN RD - Physical Description 3

    'CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS'

    This species, a familiar tree inltaly, France and Spain, was introduced to these countries from the eastern Mediterranean. It has fine dark greyish green foliage with very tiny scale leaves in slightly flattened sprays, and large, slightly elongated, pale brown cones. In its growth habit the Mediterranean cypress exhibits a curious phenomenon: the form usually cultivated, known as 'Stricta', is narrowly columnar, buta proportion of its seedlings grow into trees with side branches at a wide angle to the trunk; this form is often known as 'Horizontalis'. More tolerant of dry conditions and slower growing than most other cypresses, it makes quite vigorous growth under good conditions in a warm climate. The 'Stricta' form can reach 15-20 ft (4.5"6 m) in 10 years, often as a slim column at this stage, but old trees of 30-40 ft (9-12 m) are usually much broader. It takes well to topiary. 'Swane's Golden', anAustralian cultivar with foliage flecked golden yellow with deeper gold tips, is slower growing than 'Stricta' but can still reach 20 ft (6 m) or more. It is rather frost tender. 'Gracilis' is a narrowly columnar cultivar raised in New Zealand, slow growing and maturing at about 15 ft (4.5 m) with a width of about 3 ft (1 m). It has bright green foliage { Botanica}.

    Physical Conditions

    ITALIAN CYPRESS (3) AT COUNCIL OFFICES, MAIN RD - Physical Conditions

    Condition: Good (partially disturbed, well preserved)

    Integrity

    ITALIAN CYPRESS (3) AT COUNCIL OFFICES, MAIN RD - Integrity

    Integrity Extrnally substantially intact/some intrusions

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Nillumbik - Shire of Eltham Heritage Study

    Author: David Bick
    Year: 1992
    Grading: Local

    Nillumbik - Nillumbik Shire Heritage Study 2001

    Author: Graeme Butler & Assoc
    Year: 2001
    Grading:

• Attachments
  • 213 - Pencil Pines
    
  • Italian cypress (3)
    
• Location map
• Explore related places
  • Show:
    -- select -- Nearby Places Same era

  • 
    ELTHAM COURT HOUSE

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H0784
  • 
    FORMER POLICE QUARTERS

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H1539
  • 
    ST MARGARETS CHURCH AND ORIGINAL VICARAGE

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H0459

  • 
    'GUNYAH', FIRST CANTERBURY TROOP SCOUT HALL & CAMBERWELL NORTH GUIDE HALL

    

    Boroondara City
  • 
    1) ELTHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE, 2) PEPPERCORN TREE, 3) MATURE EXOTIC PLANTING AND 4) WHEEL RIM (TYRING) TOOL IN THE GROUNDS

    

    Nillumbik Shire
  • 
    10 Down Street

    

    Yarra City
• Public contributions