About the Norwood Cork Tree
HISTORY OF QUERCUS
suber Edward St.Coles Car Park Norwood
Origin – Western
Mediterranean, Portugal. Average lifespan 200 years.
Not common in
Australia. Some plantings in Botanic Gardens and Waite Arboretum after 1923.
Not usual in a domestic garden. Culturally significant as it was planted by Henry
Buttery in his residential garden in 1892.
The original Buttery residence
was kept until 1976 when the business (furniture factory)., home and adjoining
properties were sold and incorporated into the redevelopment of Coke St. The
application to demolish Buttery’s house and factory was lodged in 1977.
Henry Buttery was
born in London in 1844. He and brother Richard with their wives and children
left England for Australia on 13 October 1869. They sailed on the Hugh
Fortescue, arriving in Adelaide
27/1/1870. Descendants of Henry Buttery claim he brought the cork oak
tree with him on the ship.
In 1876 Henry Buttery
purchased a property at 102 Osmond Tce. Norwood. In 1883 Henry purchased land
on the Parade (section 276 Block44). He established a furniture making business
and used the first steam powered machinery in S.A. He built a row of five shops
from 158-166 The Parade. The facades are still retained. In 1891 fire destroyed
his Coke St business but he purchased additional property fronting Edward St
and rebuilt. This was block 45, later 74-76 Edward St.
Henry and Sarah
Buttery moved to the house at 74 Edward St in 1892 and it was during this
period that Henry planted the cork oak tree at the rear of the family
residence. It has been recorded by family members that Henry brought the tree
to Adelaide on the Hugh Fortescue. Cork oaks are often cultivated in pots for
many years as they grow so slowly and are then transplanted. Henry loved his
garden and the tree was one of his treasures. Some family members claim Henry
loved the tree more than his wife. The tree is located on Block 45 and is at
the rear of the block which contained the former Buttery house which was
demolished in 1977.
Upon redevelopment in
1978 of the Norwood Mall, the cork tree and other important trees were
preserved. The retention of the cork oak testified to its importance as part of
the cultural and historic landscape of
the site.
In 2000 an arborist
examined the tree and determined that it was suffering from too little space
around it which restricted air and water to the roots. Remedial action was
taken by the Norwood Mall and car park owners.
There have been in
the past several applications by the owners of the car park to remove important
trees on the site but they have demurred at cutting down the cork oak tree.
However the most recent plans show the removal of the cork oak tree and other
mature trees adjacent to the car park in both George and Edward Streets.
by Carole Whitelock using material from the NP&SP Cultural Heritage Centre
by Carole Whitelock using material from the NP&SP Cultural Heritage Centre
Comments
Post a Comment