Chusan or Chinese Fan Palm Trees
33 Melbourne Road WILLIAMSTOWN, Hobsons Bay City
Government Survey Heritage Precinct
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Statement of Significance
The two Chusan or Chinese Fan Palms, planted c.1920, situated adjacent to the house at 33 Melbourne Road, Williamstown.
How is it Significant?The Chusan or Chinese Fan Palms are of local historic, aesthetic and scientific (horticultural) significance to the City of Hobson's Bay.
Why is it Significant?Historically, the Palms are important for their ability to illustrate Edwardian gardening fashions for exotic specimen trees. (AHC criteria A4 and D2)
Aesthetically, the Palms provide an appropriate setting for the dwelling and contribute to the historic cultural landscape character of this neighbourhood. (AHC criteria E1 and F1)
Scientifically, the Palms are of horticultural interest as locally rare mature examples of this species in a private domestic setting. (AHC criterion B2)
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Chusan or Chinese Fan Palm Trees - Physical Description 1
These two mature palms are to one side of a weatherboard Federation Bungalow style house constructed c.1915. The palms are typical of Edwardian-era and earlier garden plantings and often survive where other plantings are removed over time. Tall compact trees such as these could be planted to one side of a house where sun access and space were restricted.
Botanica (1997) provides the following description:
Trachycarpus fortunei (Chusan or Chinese fan palm)
Moderately frost hardy, this remarkable palm has been cultivated in Europe for 160 years, where it is prized for its exotic appearance and tolerance of cold. It reaches 30 ft (9 m) tall and the trunk is swathed in brownish fiber. The leaves are held on long stalks and are dark green above, blue-green below; dead leaves tend to persist as a 'skirt' on the tree. Dense, showy clusters of small yellow flowers precede the marblesized, dark blue berries, which have a coating of whitish wax.
Chusan or Chinese Fan Palm Trees - Historical Australian Themes
Developing cultural institutions and ways of life, Making suburbs, Creating private landscapes
Heritage Study and Grading
Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study
Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
Year: 2006
Grading:
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FORMER MORGUEVictorian Heritage Register H1512
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WILLIAMSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Register H1639
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RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0487
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