Tree of Knowledge on its way back to Barcaldine
Published Friday, 02 May, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
This year’s Labour Day parade in Barcaldine will feature a Queensland icon - Tree of Knowledge.
Since last year, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’ scientists have been working to preserve the historic tree and generate clones and cuttings.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said 35 Tree of Knowledge clones and cuttings would be presented to Barcaldine Regional Council during the May Day March on Monday, May 5.
“The Tree of Knowledge has a unique place in Queensland’s political history and I am delighted that it can live on thanks to Queensland scientific know-how,” he said.
DPI&F forestry science general manager John Chapman said the ‘Youngun’, the four metre high ghost gum taken from the original tree as a young shoot or sucker in 1991, continued to grow after being transferred to Barcaldine’s Australian Workers Heritage Centre in 2005.
“The cuttings to be presented to the local council were taken from the ‘Youngun’ in 2006, which were grafted onto hybrid rootstocks at the Gympie Forestry Research Centre,” he said.
Mr Mulherin said in the meantime, the original 160-year-old Tree of Knowledge continued to undergo preservation treatment at DPI&Fs’ Salisbury timber research complex.
“The seven-metre high trunk and branches are being chemically treated to protect against insect attack in a process that is hailed as the first of its type in Australia and possibly the world,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The treatment is expected to continue for several more months before the Tree of Knowledge is finally returned to its resting place in Barcaldine.
The tree was poisoned in 2006, which prompted the scientific rescue operation to preserve it.
The heritage-listed ghost gum in Barcaldine in Queensland's central west is known as the birthplace of the Labor Party.
Media:
Minister’s office David Potter 3239 6530
DPI&F Wade Milne 0401 716 795
Since last year, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’ scientists have been working to preserve the historic tree and generate clones and cuttings.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said 35 Tree of Knowledge clones and cuttings would be presented to Barcaldine Regional Council during the May Day March on Monday, May 5.
“The Tree of Knowledge has a unique place in Queensland’s political history and I am delighted that it can live on thanks to Queensland scientific know-how,” he said.
DPI&F forestry science general manager John Chapman said the ‘Youngun’, the four metre high ghost gum taken from the original tree as a young shoot or sucker in 1991, continued to grow after being transferred to Barcaldine’s Australian Workers Heritage Centre in 2005.
“The cuttings to be presented to the local council were taken from the ‘Youngun’ in 2006, which were grafted onto hybrid rootstocks at the Gympie Forestry Research Centre,” he said.
Mr Mulherin said in the meantime, the original 160-year-old Tree of Knowledge continued to undergo preservation treatment at DPI&Fs’ Salisbury timber research complex.
“The seven-metre high trunk and branches are being chemically treated to protect against insect attack in a process that is hailed as the first of its type in Australia and possibly the world,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The treatment is expected to continue for several more months before the Tree of Knowledge is finally returned to its resting place in Barcaldine.
The tree was poisoned in 2006, which prompted the scientific rescue operation to preserve it.
The heritage-listed ghost gum in Barcaldine in Queensland's central west is known as the birthplace of the Labor Party.
Media:
Minister’s office David Potter 3239 6530
DPI&F Wade Milne 0401 716 795