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Tree Information x

Identifier: TR/1901
Tree Type: Single
Registered By: Lloyd, M.
Registration Category: Notable tree/s – Local interest
General Notes:
These two Phoenix palms are probably two of the oldest specimens in Taranaki. They are a significant feature of Hawera’s King Edward Park (KEP), founded in 1902 and recently awarded Garden of National Significance status. Despite there being a significant and detailed history of KEP, the exact date of planting is not known. However, historical photos enable an estimate of date of planting as circa 1914: in a photo from 1920 a 1.5 metre Phoenix can be seen to the left of the larger cabbage tree, looking to be at least six years old [1]. In a second aerial photo from 1958 [2] this palm and one not seen in the 1920 photo can be seen next to the caretaker’s cottage. A new lodge was built in 1963, and legend has it [3] that one of the palms was moved by a bulldozer to a new location approximately 75 metres away (see the photos below) . As the photos show it survived the move and both palms are in excellent health.
References:
1. Photograph, King Edward Park, Hawera 1920, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1784-132.
2. Hawera, 1958. Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs. Ref: WA-47097-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23252284
3. Personal communication, David Bruce, Parks Curator, South Taranaki District Council. David is also the author of A Brief History of King Edward Park available in the KEP website.

Single Tree Details

Genus: Phoenix
Species: canariensis
Common names: Canary Island date palm, phoenix palm
Height: 13.00m
Height measurement method: Estimated
Height Comments: extrapolation from 2 metre measure
Girth: 0 cm
Girth measurement height: 0 m
Girth Comments: not measured
Diameter: 0 cm
Crown Spread A: 4.00m
Crown Spread B: 4.00m
Avg. Crown Spread: 4.00m
Actual Planting Date: actual date not specified
Approx. Planting Date: circa 1914
e.g. circa. 1860
Current Age: 110 years
Tree Health Description: excellent
Tree Form Type: Single Trunk
Number of Trunks: 1
Tree Form Comments: (none)
Champion Tree Score: 46
Local Protection Status: No
Tree Present: Yes
STEM Score: 0

Observations

Date Observer Action
04 Jul 2023 Lloyd, M.

Location

Lat/Long: -39.586764468512634 / 174.27413913607776
Location Name: King Edward Park
Address: High St/Camberwell Rd
Suburb:
City/Town: Hawera
Region: Taranaki
Location Description: One is situated in its original location near the Stan Lay entrance (off Camberwell Road). The second one is near the Chinese Garden.
Public Accessibility: Local Council Park
Local Authority: South Taranaki District Council

Images

Preview Credit Date
Michael Lloyd 04 Jul 2023
Michael Lloyd 04 Jul 2023
Whites Aviation ATL Ref: WA-47097-F 22 Aug 1958
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection ref: 1784-132 14 Jul 1920
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