Landmarks Newsletter 2007

Hastings Heritage Tree Tour – Ewan McGregor

This recent tour was a huge success. Organised by the Hawke’s Bay Farm Forestry Association, with tour guides Bill Lawrence and Ewan McGregor, requests for a repeat were coming in well before it was over.

Two packed buses, including many Landmarks Trust members, navigated the City and surrounds.

The glorious stands in Cornwall Park, Queens Square, Windsor and Frimley Parks and the A & P Showgrounds, were highlights with privately situated trees a feature.

What made a huge impression was the dedication and knowledge that many of our pioneers invested into their home gardens. The tour included walks around ‘Karamu‘, (an Ormond Oak Avenue homestead, owner Carola [Karola] Brackenbury), Frimley Park and Stoneycroft – both originally private properties – accentuated this.

Now mature stands, we wondered if they realized they would grow so spectacularly in N.Z. conditions. Ongoing maintenance requirements were very evident. Naming rare species became a quiz among the knowledgeable.

Lunch was enjoyed in the Stoneycroft grounds, and the newly painted homestead was opened for a tour of the interior. The interior awaits attention next. This tour attracted such broad interest and ages, and was so enjoyable and social, that repeats are highly anticipated. We will keep you posted.

NB: Ewan holds a comprehensive list of the trees of note. Apart from the trees on private properties, these can all be viewed from your car or by foot.

Photo caption – Stoneycroft restored