Identifier: | TR/1901 |
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Tree Type: | Single |
Registered By: | Lloyd, M. |
Registration Category: | Notable tree/s – Local interest |
General Notes:
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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. |
Genus: | Phoenix | |
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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 |
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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 |
Date | Observer | Action |
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04 Jul 2023 | Lloyd, M. |
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Preview | Credit | Date |
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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 |