Old Mulberry Tree at Reeves Point facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Mulberry Tree |
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A tree considered to be the oldest surviving fruit tree in South Australia
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| Location | Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia |
| Designated | 1 September 1983 |
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The Old Mulberry Tree at Reeves Point is a very old tree found in Kingscote on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. This special tree was planted way back in 1836. It is thought to be the oldest fruit tree still alive in South Australia. It is also linked to the very first European settlement in the area.
Contents
A Tree with a Story
Who Planted This Old Tree?
There's a bit of a mystery about who exactly planted the mulberry tree and when. Many people have different ideas!
Some people believe the tree was planted around 1837. They think it might be the only thing left from an orchard planted by Johann Menge. He was South Australia's first geologist.
Other families also have stories about planting the tree. The descendants of Friedrich Kleeman believe their family planted it. They say it was planted near where Friedrich's wife, Maria, was buried in 1837.
The descendants of Johann Christian, who also arrived on the Solway ship, say their family planted the tree. They believe Johann buried his wife, Karoline, at the base of the tree. However, some think this is unlikely because the local cemetery was already being used.
Another idea is that Charles George Everard planted the first mulberry tree. He brought it from the Cape of Good Hope. But his family says that tree was later cut down. This suggests there might have been more than one mulberry tree.
Most people believe the tree was planted by Charles Binden Powell. He was a gardener for the South Australian Company. He arrived on the Duke of York ship on July 27, 1836. It's thought he planted the tree just a few days after arriving.
How the Tree is Kept Safe
People have been worried about the tree's health for a long time, even as far back as 1915. Many efforts have been made to keep it alive. Experts, like professional arborists (tree doctors), have helped.
Today, if you visit the tree, you will see it has special supports. Cables and poles help hold up its old branches. Experts think this amazing tree could live for another 500 years!
The Old Mulberry Tree Today
Still Growing and Giving Fruit
Even though it's very old, the mulberry tree still produces fruit! Cuttings from the tree have been planted nearby and in other parts of South Australia. Some of these new trees have grown well. For example, a tree planted next to the original one by the Kleeman and Christian families in 1986 is still doing great.
What the Tree Means
The Old Mulberry Tree at Reeves Point is more than just a tree. It is a living symbol of the strong spirit of the early settlers in South Australia. It shows how tough and determined they were. The tree is even featured in the logo of the Kangaroo Island Pioneers Association.
A Protected Historic Site
Because of its important history, the tree is part of a site listed on the South Australian Heritage Register. It was added on September 1, 1983. This listing recognizes the site as where the first official settlement in the Colony of South Australia began.
Images for kids
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This plaque remembers the planting of a new mulberry tree by descendants of the pioneer families.
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A poem about the historic mulberry tree at Reeves Point.
