My favourite Drouin Tree

The ‘Chairmaker’s Giant’, Buln Buln Rd

The Chairmaker’s Giant is a stand alone Mountain Grey Gum in the paddock east of Buln Buln Rd. It is perhaps best observed from the urban woodland in Elizabeth Cl or from the north-west corner of Crystal Waters estate.

Measuring 35m tall and a girth of 8.1m, the Chairmaker’s Giant is one of Drouin’s largest trees. It contains numerous hollows of various size, making it an excellent habitat tree for native wildlife.

“When I see this tree every day, I am reminded of the trees on a former property I once owned and the history of the chairmaker of the Drouin swamp is a fascinating one.”

In 1878, Antonio Debertolis, a furniture craftsman from Austria, settled in Drouin. Using natural materials gathered from the Gum Scrub Creek area, Antonio crafted chairs of remarkable beauty without the use of nails, screws or glue. One of Antonio’s chairs is on display in the Power House Museum in Sydney. (LINK 1 – Lincolnshire Windsor and rush-seated chairs. LINK 2 – The Chairmaker of the Drouin Swamp)

This old giant eucalypt would have been part of the landscape in Antonio’s day and it is hoped the tree will be preserved as development occurs in the locality.

 

Contributed: Rhipidura

Let us know if you have a favourite Drouin tree and why. Contributions welcome.