Two young giant sequoias have been planted at Hobart’s St David’s Park to replace two ageing trees removed earlier this year, as the historic gardens marked their 100th anniversary.
Hobart Lord Mayor Charles Wooley joined the ceremonial planting during a free garden party at the Davey Street park on Friday, which featured brass bands, Devonshire tea and actors in period costume.
The park holds personal significance for Wooley, who spent time there as a child and university student, met his first wife nearby and now visits with his children and grandchildren.
He described it as “a navel of our city in a sense, the centre of everything”.
Wooley said the loss of the original sequoias was “very sad”
City of Hobart open space manager Sean Black said removing the trees had been an “extremely hard decision” after their condition deteriorated.
“Unfortunately, they declined quite rapidly, so they had to be removed,” he said.
The original sequoias were planted in 1937 to mark the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and were listed with the National Trust as being of state significance.
The council confirmed in March both trees had died after more than two years of decline linked to fire damage, soil contamination and fungal disease, with a soil treatment to revive their roots proving unsuccessful.
The replacement trees have been planted in slightly different positions to allow more sunlight into the park, particularly for people using the space for lunch over summer.
The city’s horticultural team will monitor the young sequoias over the next two to three years, with tree guards installed to protect them as they establish.
Timber from the original trees was distributed to community groups, schools and local artists through an expressions of interest process.
Black said some of the timber would eventually find its way back into the community through projects made by the recipients.
The centenary celebration also fell during Wooley’s first weekend officially in the Lord Mayor’s role.
Asked about the demands of the job, the former journalist said: “It feels like I’m busier than 60 Minutes.”
“Not as well paid though, I hasten to add.”
Wooley said he was “not a bureaucrat”, describing his role as representing residents to the council and the council to the community.
