Rare dragon tree for Kings Park
It's not often a tree makes it from a backyard to a prime spot in one of WA's most well-known tourist attractions but the offer of a rare 10m dragon tree was an opportunity Kings Park horticulturalists could not refuse.
The 12-tonne tree, offered to the park by the owners of a Dalkeith home, required Fraser Avenue to be closed for 12 hours yesterday as it was moved.
The tree, believed to be at least 70 years old, was to be felled by developers when the owners sold the property but they made a condition of sale that allowed the tree to be relocated.
Kings Park director of horticulture and conservation Lesley Hammersley said the park's Bot-anic Gardens and Parks Authority often had offers of trees from gardens but rarely took them.
Workers carefully move the dragon tree to Kings Park. Picture: Ian Munro/The West Australian
It was paying $50,000 to relocate the dragon tree because of its age and imposing height.
"It's a spectacular specimen and well worth inclusion in our collection," Ms Hammersley said.
"To have a specimen like this in the park is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
The tree was dug up on Monday before the 3½-hour journey to Kings Park overnight.
Yesterday it was a popular photo subject as it was lowered into the 4m hole in a high-profile spot where visitors through the city entrance will be able to see it.
