Fig Tree, Gladstone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fig Tree, Gladstone |
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Fig Tree, 2009
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| Location | Roseberry Street, Gladstone, Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c. 1903 |
| Official name: Fig Tree, Heritage Tree | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 3 December 2003 |
| Reference no. | 602385 |
| Significant period | c. 1903 (historical) |
| Significant components | plaque |
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The Fig Tree in Gladstone, Queensland, is a very old and special tree. It's a type of tree called a Ficus benjamina, also known as a Weeping Fig. This tree was planted around 1903 and is located on Roseberry Street. It's so important that it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's protected because of its history and value. People in Gladstone often call it the "Heritage Tree."
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The Famous Fig Tree of Gladstone
This amazing fig tree stands proudly at the corner of Roseberry and Auckland Streets in Gladstone. It's a large and mature Weeping Fig that was planted a long time ago, around 1903.
A Tree with a Story: Its History
The Fig Tree was planted by a local businessman named James Friend. He planted it in the horse paddock of his home, Elonera House. This was a very grand house for its time!
Who Planted the Tree?
The Friend family were some of the first people to settle in Gladstone, arriving in 1855. James Friend's father, Henry Friend senior, helped build Gladstone's first water supply. Later, the family started a successful general store and shipping business.
James Friend and his brother Henry took over the family business. They became very well-known and respected in Gladstone. James Friend married Ellen Matilda Prizeman in 1879. They had six children.
In 1900, James and Ellen bought a large piece of land. They built Elonera House there, which was one of the nicest homes in Gladstone. The property had a big garden, stables, and a horse paddock. It was in this paddock, around 1903, that James Friend is believed to have planted the fig tree.
How the Community Saved It
Over the years, the property changed hands. In 1928, a doctor bought the land and divided it. The part with the fig tree went to William Robert Golding junior, a famous Gladstone historian. Elonera House itself was later turned into a hospital and then into flats. It was eventually taken down around 1980.
The land with the fig tree was bought by the Queensland Government in 1982. Government offices were built where Elonera House used to be. The fig tree remained, standing near a car park.
In 1983, the local community worked hard to get the tree listed on the National Trust of Queensland's Register of Significant Trees. This showed how much people cared about it. In the early 1990s, the tree seemed to be getting sick. The community rallied together again to save it! Their efforts helped the tree recover. In 1993, the Gladstone Port Authority even put up a sign to tell the tree's history.
What Does the Tree Look Like?
The Roseberry Street Fig Tree is truly impressive. It's about 12 meters (almost 40 feet) tall! Its branches spread out about 37 meters (over 120 feet) wide, creating a huge, shady canopy. The trunk is very thick, measuring about 660 centimeters (over 21 feet) around.
The tree provides lots of shade, especially for cars parked nearby. Around its base, there's a small garden with plants that love the shade. There's also a wooden seat where people can rest. Near the seat, you'll find a plaque that tells the story of the tree and its connection to James Friend and William Robert Golding. The tree is a beautiful and important part of the street, and it's a popular spot for people to relax and chat.
Why is it a Heritage Tree?
The Fig Tree was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 3 December 2003. This means it's officially recognized as a special place that needs to be protected. It met several important rules to be listed:
A Link to Gladstone's Past
The tree is over 100 years old and is a well-known landmark in Gladstone. It connects us to James Friend, who was a very important person in the community and is believed to have planted the tree around 1903. It's also the only part left of the big garden that surrounded Elonera House, which was one of Gladstone's most beautiful homes.
A Beautiful Landmark
The tree is important because of its beauty. It's the only remaining part of the large garden that belonged to Elonera House, a grand home built around 1900 and taken down around 1980.
A Tree the Community Loves
The people of Gladstone really value this tree. They love how it looks and how it adds to the street. Local residents and businesses know the tree well. Many of them shared newspaper articles and helped to save the tree when it was struggling in the early 1990s. This shows how much the community cares about it.
