The Tasmanian Arboretum

The Tasmanian Arboretum is a botanical tree park (an arboretum) in Devonport, Tasmania, Australia.

History

The arboretum was incorporated on the 16th of May 1984. The site originally consisted of 47ha of farmland and remnant forest which was purchased with Australian Bicentennial Grant funding. The first plantings of woody plants to add to the existing trees was in 1986.

Since then, 13ha has been added to the site, comprising 1.8ha purchased and an adjoining crown land block that is leased. Combined they are described as the Hogg Creek Botanical Annexe. The 13ha is in a high degree of biophysical naturalness although the steep sides of the valley allow light in and thus weeds to establish themselves.

Another 11ha was gifted in 1996 by the then North Forest Products to protect the landscape values of the sites location, that is in a matrix of forest covered hills and cleared lower slopes in the rural hinterland of Devonport.

Current park features

The current 58ha of the main site encompasses a section of the Don River where it adjoins Melrose Creek, surface limestone formations, old limestone quarries dating from circa 1860, associated tramway and railway formations and infrastructure associated with landscaping and managing a landscape arboretum.

There are over 2500 plants in the geographic and thematic collections along with riparian revegetation. 64 species of birds have been recorded from the site including the Swift Parrot ("Lathamus discolor") and the Grey Goshawk ("Accipitifer novaehollandae").

The arboretum opens daily from 9am to sunset and requests a donation from visitors so it may continue its work.

Activities include walking the tracks to view the plants, the wildlife, the art, the landscape and the limestone heritage.

Platypus may be seen on Founders Lake, native hens abound and other birds may be observed.

The picnic area contains shelters with coin operated bbq's and outdoor wood fired ones.

Exhibitions and other activities are listred on the websyte

Organization

The organization, The Tasmanian Arboretum Inc., has a membership and is governed by an elected committee of up to 14.

Maintenance of the collections is by the volunteers. Development has been funded by a range of donors. The Devonport City Council currently grants $21,000 per annum to assist with operations of the cultural attraction.

External links

* [http://www.tasmanianarboretum.org.au Arboretum website]