By AGNES MENANOPO

The cultural and environmental significance of large old trees, particularly the iconic River Red Gum, were explored at an event hosted by the Ovens Landcare Network at the Wangaratta Rifle Club last Sunday, 19 October.

The gathering featured presentations from Bpangerang Elder Uncle Dozer Atkinson, Associate Professor Paul Rymer from Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, and Wangaratta ecologist Ian Davidson.

The event emphasised the vital role mature trees play in ecosystems and cultural heritage.

Attendees learned how climate change affects eucalypts and gained hands-on experience using a simple app to monitor environmental health.

Uncle Dozer shared the deep spiritual and cultural connection Aboriginal communities have with ancient trees.

He spoke about the recent destruction of a 700-year-old 'birthing tree' at Northern Beaches - one of four culturally significant trees lost in recent years.

“This tells us there’s an opportunity to share the cultural significance of these trees with the wider community,” he said.

“We hope to find a more stable way of protecting cultural sites, not just in Victoria but locally too.”

Uncle Dozer explained that trees aged 500 to 700 years or more are direct links to traditional times and hold profound spiritual meaning.

“Bpangerang people are people of the tall trees," he said.

"We believe we’re born in the trees and return to them when we depart, as they become a stairway to our dreaming.

“We’re keen to establish new ways to protect the large old trees we still have.”

Prof Rymer presented findings from a large-scale experiment at Currency Creek Arboretum, where eucalypt species were exposed to severe drought in 2019.

The study aimed to understand species’ drought sensitivity based on climate origin, life history, and functional traits.

“We found that some species are particularly sensitive to drought, and their response can be predicted by factors like aridity, tree height, and wood density,” he explained. “This helps us identify which species to monitor and which to plant for resilience in future conditions.”

Prof Rymer stressed the importance of communicating these findings to Landcare groups.

“They’re planting many trees, and everyone wants them to survive," he said.

"Some species, even if local, may struggle as conditions become hotter and drier.

“Choosing resilient species is key for those planting and monitoring significant sites.”

Mr Davidson highlighted the ecological value of large trees, noting their extended flowering periods, hollows for wildlife like possums and parrots, and fallen logs that shelter reptiles such as Blue-tongue lizards.

“Large trees shape forest architecture by preventing young trees from growing beneath them, maintaining a park-like landscape,” he said.

Mr Davidson then led a walk through Northern Beaches with around 40 participants, showcasing majestic old trees and the site of a recently destroyed culturally significant tree that had been deliberately set alight.

The event concluded with a shared understanding: large old trees are irreplaceable and must be recognised and protected for their cultural, ecological, and spiritual importance.