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Morus sp.
385 Golf Links Road Langwarrin South, MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE

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Statement of Significance
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?

This Mulberry tree grows at Mulberry Hill, an American Colonial-style home named after the tree by Sir Daryl and Lady Joan Lindsay.

How is it significant?

This Mulberry tree is significant for scientific and historic reasons at the Regional level.

Why is it significant?

This Mulberry tree is scientifically significant for its age. It is historically significant for its association with prominent Victorians, and its representation in well-known artwork and literature.

The tree was planted by the McCubbin family around 1893. In 1926, Sir Daryl and Lady Joan Lindsay purchased the property and added to the pre-existing cottage, naming the property Mulberry Hill.

The tree features in several works of art. It is mentioned numerous times in Lady Joan Lindsay’s autobiographical novel Time Without Clocks, in which she marvels at its age and its connection to the McCubbins, and considers it in her musings about the nature of time. She also notes that the chains supporting the heaviest branches (which remain in-situ) were installed by Sir Russell Grimwade, prominent chemist, botanist and philanthropist. The tree also features in The Almond Tree (1961), an oil painting by Sir Daryl Lindsay, which shows the rear of Mulberry Hill in the 1950s.

The tree is only in fair condition due to its age and many years of less than ideal horticultural practices. It has several cavities, concrete fill, chains and prongs supporting it. Though not an impressive specimen, the tree is interesting from an arboricultural practice perspective, as it shows many decades of various experimental maintenance and support methods.

Tree Measurements:

Condition: Fair

Tree Type: Individual

Circumference: 2.6m

Height: 6.0m

Canopy Spread: 9.0m

Height method: Other

Circumference method: Tape measure

Date of measurement: 10/07/2020

Age of tree: 128 years (planted approximately 1893)

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