Category:Harrington Public School Norfolk Island Pines

English: Norfolk Island Pine trees (Araucaria heterophylla) are an iconic feature of Harrington. Harrington Public School requested that their four Norfolk Island Pines be included as a local heritage item. The NSW Department of Education and Communities have supported this listing. The pines are around 100 years old and are an iconic landmark for the school. They were planted around 1892 as part of the Arbor Day celebrations. Historically ships used the pines as masts for their ships. These pines have acted as historical markers for boats and during World War II they were used by the RAAF as training and navigational markers. The school principal and secretary reported to the heritage committee that anecdotally, “the 4 large Norfolk Pines were used as visual navigational aids by the Australian Air Force aircraft in the Second World War”. An aborist report commissioned by the Greater Taree City Council noted that “Good specimens of Norfolk pines can live for a hundred years and generally have a slow to moderate growth rate; the trees produce cones at about twenty years of age.” (Kennedy, 2010)

The school has numerous large Araucarias (Norfolk Island Pines) that were originally planted along the Coast for use as ships masts. This proved to be unsuccessful as mast timber. These trees have also been used for navigation markers for entrance to the Manning River. The arborist believes the trees age to be over 100 years old, they are some of the most majestic tall trees of this species that he has ever seen (page 3). Root severing has occurred along the front boundary and I believe that the trees canopy is in decline due to this. It is important to consult an Arborist whenever works are being undertaken within the trees drip line and more precisely Tree protection zone and Structural root zone according to AS 4970 Protection of Trees on Development Sites. Reference: 2014 Arborist Report: Harrington Public School, Tree Hazard Inspection report, Port Tree Fella; Peter Berecry

The trees are estimated to be over 100 years old from information provided in a "Harrington School Centenary Booklet 1872-1972": the trees were 70 years old then (1972). Their trunk diameter is between 1500mm and 2000mm. Root severing has occurred along the front boundary and the arborist believes that the trees canopy is in decline due to this. It is important to consult an Arborist whenever works are being undertaken within the trees drip line and more precisely Tree protection zone and Structural root zone according to AS 4970 Protection of Trees on Development Sites (Berecry, 2014)

In the heritage listing, it specifically mentions ageing and potential problems with the trees. It was noted the trees are over 100 years old and, though they are known to live to over 150 years, mold in damaged roots can present a problem. It did note that at the the time there has been no such report of disease in the trees at the school, ones near by have been reported with such problems. (AustinBotany, 2016) At the time of the arborist inspection in 2014 it was made clear to staff that trees are to be reinspected on an annual basis an Arborist. There is also the need for staff to restrict student activities around trees when there is a strong wind (over 60 km/hour) or storm events that may cause limbs to fail. Where sudden changes in tree vigour, lean or decay are noticed the school should contact an arborist to assess the situation. There are no trees that are part of a remnant forest and are not listed as Endangered Ecological Communities. (Berecry, 2014) One tree has since been chopped down.

Sources

• This description incorporates the description from the NSW Heritage Listing 5063333 which is licensed under CC-BY-SA.
• Berecry, Peter (2014) 2014 Arborist Report: Harrington Public School, Tree Hazard Inspection report, Port Tree Fella
• Szubryt, Austin (November 18, 2013). Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine, Cook Pine, New Caledonian Pine, Star Pine) [A. excelsa]. AustinBotany.
• Kennedy, John (February 17, 2010) AQF 5 Arborist Report, Greater Taree City Council, Norfolk Pines @15 High St Harrington 2427, Greater Taree City Council