Chetwynd - Bilston's Tree
It is estimated that "Bilston's Tree" was a seedling about 1200 AD and would have reached very large proportions by the time of the arrival of European Settlers.
It was a well known land mark and referred to as "Big Tree" or "The Big Fella" by the middle of the 20th century.
In early June 1962 the Forest Officer, Mr W Flentje, was informed that Pyramid Sawmills had an agreement with Messrs T & J Bilston of Wando Vale to buy and remove red gum from Bilston's property. In the course of these operations arrangements were made to fell the "Big Tree".
Mr Flentje, and others, made representations to the sawmillers and Mr T Bilston to have the tree spared. Verbal agreement was reached between the parties to halt the felling.
Representations were then made to the Victorian Government to have the tree reserved. This was achieved on 13 August, 1963, when one acre of land, plus an access easement was purchased from the Bilstons and was designated Reserved Forest by the government.
The tree is now familiarly known as "Bilston's Tree".
It was measured in 1962 and again in 1971.
The following details were recorded in 1971:
Total height: 134 feet (40.8 metres)
Girth at breast height: 23 feet 10 inches (7.26 metres)
Log length: 34 feet (10.36 metres)
Log volume under bark: 910 cubic feet (25.8 cubic metres)
A large limb broke off the northern side of the crown in 1973, and from the Eastern side in 2013 but this has not affected the general health of the tree which remains a tourist attraction for the Casterton District.
Located 6km west from Casterton-Edenhope Road off Glenmia Road. Follow the Bilstons Tree Walk from Glenmia Road.
Location
Glenmia Road, Chetwynd 3312 Map
