Australia So Much to See

Deep in the forest west of Manjimup, the little-known Stewart Tree reaching to 85 metres is the tallest Karri tree, and takes 14th place in the tallest individual trees in the world. This stunning Karri tree is 7.5 meters in girth and is over 350 years old. It started its life well before colonisation.

In the 1930's, forest officer Don Stewart developed an idea to use the towering Karri trees as watchtowers in the fight against forest fires. Don Stewart also discovered a unique grove of the tallest surviving Karri trees in the world. The very tallest one of these trees was named after him.

While Don Stewart pioneered the idea of tree top lookouts, there we also other personnel involved at the start.  Two who are worthy of special mention are Don’s colleague Jack Watson, who climbed forty trees to find the highest and most suitable for use.  With a tall small trunk this was achieved using a rope and sling, with the climb becoming more difficult when reaching the branches.  Dick Sprogue had the role of trimming the karri branches.  "He was the guy that used to clamber around in the tops of the trees and chop the branches off."  Branches were trimmed before huts were constructed. 

After learning of the threat to this magnificent remnant Karri Forest and the tree named after Don Stewart, Don’s descendants made the trek deep into this valley to see this proud giant in October 2020.  A dam to provide water for agricultural irrigation is being planned within this unique area.  See the video of this momentous occasion. 

Subsequently, in the 1940’s Don Stewart and other personnel used these tall Karri trees to spot bushfires.

For decades lookout platforms built into the crowns of eight (previously nine prior to the early demise of one tree in a bushfire) of these especially tall Karris protected forests and farms with early warning of fires, a role now taken over by spotter aircraft.

See Karri trees we have seen when touring at Northcliffe, Pemberton, Denmark, Walpole, Manjimup to Walpole, Boranup Forest (near Augusta). 

References:

Don Stewart’s family visit

Gloucester Tree 

Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree 

Diamond Tree 

Diamond tree closed to climbing

Boorara Tree

Tallest individual trees in the world

Treetop lookouts turn 75