'An open grown tree planted by Thomas Marsden, a prominent early landowner and politician. This is one of the earliest known plantings of this and many other good trees (some being planted earlier) still growing in the park. The park was taken over by Nelson City Council in 1960 and since then Parks and Reserves staff have converted the area into one of the finest woodland gardens in the country. A prominent Nelson horticulturist has stated that he always felt that this big tree was the Guardian of the Homestead. The old homestead is now a popular museum'.
Burstall, SW, NZFRI Forest Research mensuration Report No. 21, Feb 1974 (unpublished), pg. 25.

'A beautifully shaped big tree'. Oliver 1983.

This tree is a true stalwart of Isel Park. In 1848 Thomas Marsden built his first house further up Marsden Valley, although at the time it was called Poorman's Valley. An easterly storm flattened the not yet completed dwelling and caused him to move further down to where Isel House is now. This calamitous incident was a portent of many such devastating events to wreak havoc in the park. Perhaps the worst was Cyclone Alison, where in 1975 over 100 trees were lost. In a more recent event (30 July 2008), approximately one third of the parks heritage trees were felled or damaged by strong easterly winds. The 'Guardian', as this tree has become known, still stands - encouraging the other older trees on whilst keeping watch over the progress of each subsequent replanting. Cadwallader, BG. Jan 2010.