One of Hobart’s historic giant sequoia trees is showing significant signs of distress, prompting concern from city arborists.
The 88-year-old tree in St David’s Park, which has yellowing needles indicating a steep decline, has been subjected to vandalism and fire damage in recent years.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the tree holds special significance for many Hobart residents.
“These trees are iconic features of St David’s Park and have been loved by generations of Hobartians,” Reynolds said.
“It’s heartbreaking to see one of these magnificent trees in distress. Our team is doing everything possible to understand what’s happening and to give it the best chance of recovery.”
While structurally sound, the tree may be dying despite intervention efforts by the City’s Greening Team following previous incidents.
Both giant sequoias were planted in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and are listed on the National Trust as having state significance.
“At just 88 years old, this tree is very young for a species that can live for thousands of years,” she said.
The council is monitoring the tree daily, while a second sequoia in the park currently appears healthy and is also being monitored.
City officials are awaiting a final arborist report before making decisions about the struggling tree’s future.
“We know how much these trees mean to our community and we will keep everyone informed as we learn more,” Reynolds said.
