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Tree Information x

Identifier: CR/0006
Historical Reg No: 006
Tree Type: Single
Registered By: Superintendent TCC Reserves
Registration Category: Historic tree – National interest
General Notes:


 x
Planted in October 1941 by the Superintendent for Timaru C.C. Reserves. 'Known to the school and city as the 'Lovelock Oak'. Presented to the late Jack Lovelock after his world record setting win in the 1500m race at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, then sent back to New Zealand and planted in present position by Old Boys President, A.J. Allport in 1941. This tree is poorly sited and its growth rate is below average'. Burstall 1970. Reference. Burstall SW. FM. Report no. 22. 1973; p.38.

Each gold medalist at the games was also presented with an oak sapling awarded by the German Olympic Committee members, not Adolf Hitler as is often written. The oaks ‘were a gift of the German people’. The saplings, each about 50cm high, were in a terracotta pot adorned with the Olympic Bell and on which was written the motto ‘Grow in the honour of victory! Summon to further achievement!’

Single Tree Details

Genus: Quercus
Species: robur
Common names: English oak, common oak, oak
Given Name: The Lovelock Oak
Height: 13.00m
Height measurement method: Estimated
Height Comments: (none)
Girth: 170 cm
Girth measurement height: 1.4 m
Girth Comments: (none)
Diameter: 54.1 cm
Crown Spread A: 15.00m
Crown Spread B: 15.00m
Avg. Crown Spread: 15.00m
Actual Planting Date: Oct 1941
Approx. Planting Date:
e.g. circa. 1860
Current Age: 83 years
Tree Health Description: (none)
Tree Form Type: Single Trunk
Number of Trunks: 1
Tree Form Comments: (none)
Champion Tree Score: 122
Local Protection Status: Yes
Tree Present: Yes
STEM Score: 0

Observations

Date Observer Action
01 Jan 1979 Superintendent TCC Reserves

Location

Lat/Long: -44.39953964945319 / 171.23015261600528
Location Name: Timaru Boys High School
Address: 211 North Street
Suburb:
City/Town: Timaru
Region: Canterbury
Location Description: Not specified
Public Accessibility: School/University
Local Authority: Timaru District Council

Images

Preview Credit Date
Doug Field/STUFF 01 Apr 2018
Ceidrik Heward 25 Aug 2017
Photograph of the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games medal ceremony for the 1500 metres final. Lovelock, John Edward (Jack), 1910-1949 : Papers. Ref: MSX-2261-066. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ 06 Aug 1936
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