The Old Gum Tree
Description
A sentinel, the Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) is the tallest and oldest specimen of the BBG and is estimated to be around 400 years old and stands approximately 35m tall. The Old Gum Tree was described as a Paddock Tree and was noticeably and significantly declining during the time the BBG site was used for cropping and grazing production. However, The Old Gum Tree is now a demonstration site to protect and enhance Paddock Trees across the region.
The Old Gum Tree has been fenced to demonstrate how stock exclusion fencing a large Eucalypt (also known as a Paddock Tree) can improve the health of the tree, soil and water filtration, but also be a functioning ecosystem within an agricultural landscape. A healthy Paddock Tree provides habitat, connectivity and resources (pollination, nectar, leaves, insects and shelter) for native wildlife.
The plants in the enclosure include a variety of species that have nitrogen-fixing properties and help improve the soil. Many of the original plantings were short lived and have died over recent years. In 2025, around 80 Acacias have been added to continue to provide soil improvement. Other plants currently displayed in the enclosure include Allocasuarina verticillata (Drooping She oak), Melicytus dentatus (Native Violet), Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) and Maeireana brevifolia (Small-leaf Blue-bush).
Objectives
• Restoration of tree health by planting nitrogen fixing native plant under the canopy.
• Demonstration on how a paddock tree can provide suitable resources and habitat for native animals.
• To reduce salinity in the ground water (Barossa Catchment Group).
Background
The oldest plant in the BBG, The Old Gum Tree is a reminder of a time before European settlement and how magnificent red gums in this area would be, if left to grow. One of the first sites to be revegetated in 2001, the enclosure displays a variety of shrubs and smaller trees that would have naturally grown in the tree’s understorey.
Planted by around 150 children and members of the community the original understory plantings included Acacia species, Native Violet and Drooping She oaks, which are still growing to this day. The selection of plants, which mostly have nitrogen fixing properties, have helped the gum tree recover from the grazing pressure.
Education
As part of the Traditional Uses Trail, this tree showcases many plant parts that have been used by Aboriginal people. For example, the bark for bowls, canoes, to build shelters and collect insects; the leaves for ceremony and medicine and the flowers to extract nectar. This tree is a wonderful reminder of how resilient nature can be as well as how Aboriginal people have been able to thrive in the Australian bush.
Conservation
The River Red Gum is considered a significant tree due to its circumference of 7.3m measured at 1m above ground level. The protection and health of the tree have a very high priority with volunteers and staff and great care is taken to ensure the trees ongoing health.