Many beaut photos and memories appearring in this forum
. As Lizzie and others thought the trophies were spesh (thankyou), and wanted some history on the timber used, here goes.The Elm wood the trophies were made of come from the historic forests in the Mid North of SA. Bundaleer and Wirrabara Forests were the first known commercial forests in the Southern Hemisphere.
The first plantings were in 1875. Previous native timbers were cleared off arrible land and used for warfs and jetties on the coasts of SA to move primary produce and other trade off shore. The settlers were tough and felled big Eucalypts by broard axe and transported these logs by bullick teams.
By 1877 the arboritum was planted in Wirrabara forest, a bit like a botanic garden of different species trees to trial what would grow in these conditions. Amongst the species were the Elms, oaks, poplars and other exotic trees like one of few sequoias known in this part of the world. The arboretum is now called the Old Nursery and still exists in it's full glory with massive mature trees planted 100 years or more ago.
About 15 years ago as a tree feller I had the task of felling some of the elms which were begining to over crowd the site. The timber was then slabbed and sent to Mt. Crawford Forest where I now work as a Ranger. Needless to say when I discovered the planks in a shed 15 years later, there was some significance to me and a plan to develope Nats Trophies
The pics show the whole tree planks as i found them, the cut pieces ready to finish, and finally the finished one which was left over. This one will be presented back to the Tea Tree Gully Mens Shed for there magnificent detail in finishing the elm wood trophy backings.
And Awesome work!!
