Explorers tree

{{Citations missing|date=August 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2014}} {{Infobox historic site | image=Blaxland's Tree, Katoomba.jpg | caption=Explorers Tree, Katoomba | coordinates={{coord | -33.70360|150.29077|format=dms}} }} thumb|The tree in 2008.

The '''Explorers Tree''' was a Blue Mountains ash (''Eucalyptus oreades'') formerly located at Explorers Hill (also described as Pulpit Hill), about 2 km north-west of Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia.

== History == The tree is regarded as the one on which Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Charles Wentworth, the explorers who achieved the first known successful crossing of the Blue Mountains of New South Wales by European settlers, carved their initials in 1813.<ref name="BMAustralia">{{cite web|title=Katoomba|url=http://www.bluemts.com.au/info/towns/katoomba/|publisher=Blue Mountains Australia|accessdate=28 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite NSW HD|1170812|Explorers tree}}</ref> The claim is not universally supported however.<ref name="BMCC">{{cite web|title=Explorers Tree|url=http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/sustainableliving/explorerstree|publisher=Blue Mountains City Council|accessdate=28 May 2013|archive-date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923062442/http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/sustainableliving/explorerstree|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="6Foot">{{cite web|last=Low|first=John|title=The Marked Explorer's Tree|url=http://www.sixfoot.com/history3.php|publisher=Six Foot Track Marathon|accessdate=28 May 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070726073116/http://www.sixfoot.com/history3.php|archivedate=26 July 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Further, the tree was not actually mentioned in the explorer's journals and the first recorded mention of it was not until 1867.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-28 |title=Carving up the Country |url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-history-listen/carving-up-the-country/11870376 |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=ABC Radio National |language=en-AU |postscript=Timestamp: 13:15}}</ref>

The tree died in the 1950s, but the stump of the tree, about 3 metres high and smeared with concrete, remains, located adjacent to the Great Western Highway. The stump was then protected from the weather and vandalism by a roof and a fence.<ref name="BMAustralia" />

In 2005, the tree was subject to an arson attack and was slightly charred.<ref name="smh2005">{{cite web|title= Explorers Tree charred in arson attack|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/explorers-tree-charred-in-arson-attack-20050604-gdlg99.html|publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=5 November 2019}}</ref> In 2012, a car crashed into the tree base from the highway and severely damaged its stone wall foundations and the roof.<ref name="gazette">{{cite web|last= Curtin|first=Jennie|title=The Tree or not to be - that is the $100,000 question|url=https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/5600877/heritage-grant-to-help-save-explorers-tree/|publisher=Blue Mountains Gazette|accessdate=5 November 2019}}</ref>

In August 2018, a state government heritage grant was awarded to Blue Mountains City Council to preserve what is left of the tree, as well as provide a better understanding of the place including Aboriginal perspectives.<ref name="gazette" /> The council had deemed an imminent risk of the collapse of the tree's platform due to traffic on the Great Western Highway. Subsequently, the highway was closed, and the remnants of the tree, along with the supports and fence, were removed by Transport for NSW on 20 February 2021. The remnants are now being stored at the Transport for NSW Lawson Precinct.<ref name="gazette2021">{{cite web|title=Explorers tree removed at Katoomba following safety fears |last=Curtin|first=Jennie|url=https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/7133208/explorers-tree-removed-at-katoomba-following-safety-fears/|publisher=Blue Mountains Gazette|accessdate=6 March 2021}}</ref>

==See also== * List of individual trees

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-history-listen/carving-up-the-country/11870376 Carving up the Country] - The History Listen, ABC Radio, February 2020.

Category:History of the Blue Mountains (New South Wales) Category:Blue Mountains (New South Wales)