King George V Avenue of Memorial English Oaks facts for kids

The King George V Avenue of Memorial English Oaks is a special avenue of trees in Tamworth, Australia. It was created to remember King George V after he passed away. The avenue was designed by the Tamworth Council and local community groups. It was built in 1936 by the Tamworth Progress Association, Tamworth Rotary, and other community members. This beautiful tree-lined road is also known as Lower Nemingha Road. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on March 12, 2014, because of its historical and natural importance.

History of the Memorial Avenue

Creating a Living Memorial

The idea for this special avenue started in 1936. After King George V died, the people of Tamworth wanted a way to remember him. They decided to plant a "living memorial" – an avenue of oak trees. This was a fitting tribute because the King loved trees. They chose English oaks specifically. Even though these trees grow slowly, they live for a very long time. They are also a symbol of England and its monarchy.

The original plan was for the avenue to stretch from town, across two bridges, and back into town. It was estimated that 318 trees would be needed. The cost was about A£300, which the community felt they could easily raise. Tamworth had about 11,000 people at the time. They hoped that even school children would help by sponsoring a tree for about 15 shillings. Getting kids involved was important, as they would be the ones to care for the trees in the future.

The location, Lower Nemingha Road, was chosen for good reasons. It wasn't a main highway, so trees could be planted closer together. This would allow them to form a beautiful, arching canopy over the road. The area was also a flood plain with rich soil, perfect for oak trees. The trees were planned to be planted about 13 meters apart. The road would be about 11 meters wide. This spacing was meant to make the tree branches meet overhead, creating a "cathedral-like arch."

By April 1936, many trees had been promised by locals, businesses, and groups like the CWA and RSL. Around this time, the Main Roads Department announced plans to plant trees along main roads. This changed the original idea of planting the oaks on the main northern entrance road. Instead, the committee decided to put up signs on the highway. These signs would guide tourists to take a scenic detour through the new avenue. This detour was called the "Round Drive," and Lower Nemingha Road was renamed King George V Memorial Avenue.

By June 1936, almost all the trees were sourced. The work on the avenue was ready to begin. It was announced that the avenue would officially open during Tamworth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in October 1936. The Tamworth City Council donated the last 15 trees needed.

Changes Over the Years

In the 1950s, the Paradise Tourist Park was built near the end of the avenue. Since then, many people have enjoyed the avenue for recreation.

A big flood in 1955 washed away the Two Mile Bridge. This bridge was never replaced. The community worked together to clean up the avenue after the flood. Now, the only way to access the avenue is via the Paradise Bridge. This made King George V Avenue a quieter place. It became a popular spot for wedding and school formal photos. It's also a peaceful place for people to have lunch under the trees.

In 1988, a study found that the avenue was also an important memorial for soldiers who died in World War I. In 1936, the RSL and Light Horse Brigade had donated money for some of the trees.

In 1992, after people asked for it, the Tamworth City Council agreed to create a list of important trees. The public helped decide which trees should be protected. In 1993, the King George V Memorial Avenue of English Oaks was included on this list.

In March 2004, the Tamworth City Council suggested removing the trees. They said the trees were decaying and they needed to plan for a new access road. They wanted to remove the old trees and plant new ones. This caused a huge public outcry. Over 3,000 people signed a petition, and the plan was stopped.

In 2010, a plan was submitted to use King George V Avenue as the main road for a large new housing area. This would mean a lot more traffic. This proposal led to a big campaign by the community to save the avenue. More traffic would mean widening the road, which would destroy the trees and the peaceful feeling of the avenue.

In 2011, another plan was submitted to dig a pipeline through the tree roots. This plan was put on hold and later withdrawn because it didn't follow proper tree protection rules.

In 2011, a study valued the avenue at millions of dollars. This was for its beauty, usefulness, and historical importance. People use it for photos, exercise, and enjoying nature. It has become one of Tamworth's most beautiful tourist spots.

In February 2013, the National Trust of Australia (NSW Branch) recognized the avenue as very important. They noted it was a rare example of English oaks planted to create an interlocking, cathedral-like effect. It's also historically important as a 1936 memorial to King George V.

For 77 years, the King George V Memorial Avenue has been a key part of Tamworth's history. It shows a time when communities loved planting "avenues of honour" to remember important events and people. It also represents one of the last times English oak trees were commonly used for roadside plantings.

In March 2014, the avenue was officially listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

What the Avenue Looks Like

The land around the avenue is a flat flood plain used for farming. Farmers grow crops and raise animals there. Some fields are watered using water from the nearby Peel River. A few farmhouses are also located along the road.

Main Avenue Section

The original planting in 1936 included 318 trees. The main part of King George V Avenue is about 1.5 kilometers long. It starts near Peel Street and goes southeast. This section has 200 trees. About 140 of these are from the original planting, and 60 are newer replacement trees. There are 99 trees on one side and 101 on the other. These trees form a nearly continuous, arching canopy for the entire 1.5 kilometers, just as planned.

Secondary Avenue Section

After 1.5 kilometers, the avenue turns sharply northeast for about 0.5 kilometers. This section goes towards the Peel River, where the Two Mile Bridge used to be. This bridge was washed away in the 1955 floods. Since then, this part of the road has been closed off and used for grazing animals. This shorter section still has 41 of its original 70 trees. No new trees have been planted here.

The trees are planted about 13 meters apart, with an 11-meter gap for the road. They are planted about 1 meter from the road. As the English oaks grew, their branches met overhead, forming the beautiful arch that was intended.

Condition of the Trees

As of 2013, the trees in the avenue are in good to excellent condition overall. However, some trees are not as healthy due to poor care in the past.

In 2009, experts found that the main reason for the trees' declining health was improper pruning by energy companies. These companies cut the trees to keep them away from power lines. Even though they promised to prune only in winter when trees are dormant, they sometimes prune in spring, which can harm the trees.

Experts say that with proper care and a plan to replace older trees, the avenue could stay in good condition for many more years. For example, historic oak trees in Port Arthur, which are 150 years old, are expected to live another 50+ years with good care.

The shorter section of the avenue has 40 of its original 70 trees. These trees were grazed by animals until steel barriers were put up years ago. Since then, they have partly recovered. They also haven't suffered from the same poor pruning practices as the main section.

However, in 2015, an inspection showed that some parts of the avenue were getting much sicker. Some trees were completely dead, and others had dying branches. There were also signs of pests, which caused branches to break. This shows that the trees have been declining for some years. Many gaps in the original avenue have been filled with newer plantings. Despite these issues, the avenue's overall structure is still good.

Changes and Updates Over Time

Since the avenue was planned and planted in 1936, several changes have happened:

• Early 1950s to now: The Paradise Tourist Park opened. Many visitors enjoy the shade and beauty of the avenue each year.
• 1955: The Two Mile Bridge was lost in floods. This stopped the road from being a tourist detour into town.
• 1955: Major floods left a lot of debris along the avenue.
• 1960s-1970s: High voltage power lines were installed along both sides of the avenue.
• 1970s-now: Energy companies have continued damaging tree pruning practices.
• 1988: A heritage study found that the avenue is also an important memorial for World War I.
• 1992: Tamworth City Council asked the public to suggest trees for a significant tree register. King George V Avenue was given as an example.
• 1993: The significant tree register was published. However, the avenue was not officially listed as a heritage item on the local plan.
• Mid-2000s: A major upgrade to power lines on the eastern side led to more canopy reduction from pruning.
• 2009: Metal barriers were put up to protect the 40 remaining trees in the shorter section. This section was later closed to traffic and used for grazing.
• 2010: A plan was submitted to use King George V Avenue as the main access road for a large housing development. An expert report said the avenue couldn't handle so much traffic.
• June 2011: A plan was submitted to upgrade power lines along the avenue to sell power to developers.
• November 2011: A plan was submitted to dig a wastewater pipeline along the avenue. This plan was put on hold because it lacked proper tree protection reports.
• 2012: The last oak trees from the other side of where the Two Mile Bridge used to be were removed for a carpark and church entrance.
• September 2012: Energy company contractors pruned the trees extensively in spring, even though they had promised to do it only in winter.
• November 2012: A housing development plan was approved. The traffic plans for this development suggest using King George V Avenue as the main access. The road is not safe for this much traffic and would need widening, which would mean removing over 100 trees.

Over the years, the community has replanted trees, and they regularly water the younger ones during dry periods. Farmers nearby even let irrigation water flow over their fences to water the avenue. The oak trees have survived many floods and droughts. The main causes of their poor health and loss have been bad pruning by energy companies. Now, they face an even bigger threat from proposed roads and pipelines.

Why This Avenue is Special

The King George V Avenue of Memorial English Oaks is very important for its beauty. The trees were carefully planted to grow in a unique way. Their branches have grown and interlocked over the road, creating a "cathedral" or "tunnel" effect. This makes the avenue very beautiful and unique. It is also one of the longest avenues in New South Wales, stretching for about 2 kilometers. It is the only avenue of oak trees planted in New South Wales, making it a special landmark.

This avenue is also rare because it is the only avenue of oaks in New South Wales. It is the only oak avenue dedicated as a living memorial to King George V from a time when tree avenues were used to mark historical events and people. It is a rare example of a mostly untouched avenue of oaks still existing in New South Wales, and possibly in all of Australia.

Its rarity is even greater because it's one of only two memorial avenues to King George V in New South Wales. The other is an avenue of poplar trees in Braidwood, which doesn't have the same beautiful qualities as the oak avenue.

The avenue is a great example of a memorial avenue. This type of tree planting was very popular with Australian communities for remembering important things.

The King George V Avenue of Memorial English Oaks was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on March 12, 2014, because it meets several important criteria:

• It shows how cultural history has unfolded in New South Wales.

The avenue is important because it was planned and planted by the Tamworth Council and community. They wanted to show their respect for King George V after he died in 1936. This planting project was also the first community project by service clubs in Tamworth, like Rotary.

• It has a strong connection to important people or groups in New South Wales's history.

The avenue's history is made richer by its connection to the local community. It shows their admiration for King George V in 1936. It's also important because it was the first community project for local service clubs.

• It shows great beauty or creative skill in New South Wales.

The avenue is beautiful because of how carefully the trees were planted. Their unique growth creates a cathedral-like arch over the road. This makes the avenue very special to look at. It is also one of the longest avenues in New South Wales, about 1.5 kilometers long. As the only oak tree avenue in New South Wales, it stands out and has unique landmark qualities.

• It has a strong connection with a community or cultural group in New South Wales for social or cultural reasons.

The King George V Avenue of Memorial English Oaks is important to the Tamworth community. Their ancestors designed and planted it for a beloved king. The avenue's beauty and recreational uses are important to the community. They help create a special feeling for Tamworth.

• It has rare or endangered aspects of New South Wales's cultural or natural history.

The King George V Memorial Avenue of English Oaks is rare because it is the only avenue of oaks in New South Wales. It is also the only oak avenue dedicated as a living memorial to King George V from a time when tree avenues were used to mark historical events and people. It is a rare example of a mostly untouched avenue of oaks still existing in New South Wales, and possibly in Australia.

This avenue is one of only two memorial avenues to King George V in New South Wales. The other is an avenue of poplar trees in Braidwood, which doesn't have the same beautiful qualities as the oak avenue.

• It shows the main features of a type of cultural or natural place in New South Wales.

The avenue is a good example of a memorial avenue. This type of planting was very popular with Australian communities for remembering important things.