Community fears over health of famous Overbury Drive river red gum

It’s one of Adelaide’s best-known gums and has survived for centuries – but is the bitumen around it finally killing it?

An iconic, centuries-old river red gum in Adelaide’s inner south is on the decline, with the community fearing for its health and council investigating.

Located in the centre of Overbury Drive in Clarence Park, it is believed the tree was planted more than 200 years ago.

Local groups say before former landowner Gertrude Overbury died in 1943 she wrote instructions into her will, stating that the tree must not be cut down.

The tree – now surrounded by concrete road – has remained but its health has sparked concern among locals.

An iconic centuries old river red gum in Adelaide’s south is on the decline, with the community fearing for its health and council investigating. Picture: Dean Martin

Clarence Park resident Rachael Nielsen said locals loved the tree and were worried it was not getting enough water because there was asphalt over the root system.

“We think it’s a beautiful tree and it’s so unique,” she said.

“We don’t want anything bad to happen to the tree in that it’s probably about 200 years old.

“We feel that the council should be protecting the tree, which we understand that they are making steps in that direction.”

A council spokesperson said the tree appeared to be in declining health “with vegetation along its upper branches becoming sparser”.

Council arborists were investigating the cause saying it could be attributed to things such as disease, water supply and natural ageing processes.

“A primary objective in the short term is to find ways to increase the amount of water getting to it, using construction methods for any street remediation works that will not have negative impact on the tree’s health,” the spokesperson said.

“Council is examining the tree, aiming to identify the cause of its declining health and has identified several simple measures to improve the site conditions around the base, including removal of the road surface on one side to increase the infiltration of water into the ground within the drip zone of the tree.

“Council’s arborists will continue to monitor the tree’s condition to maintain it in the best possible condition to ensure its survival.”

Local resident Jim Kamp, who lives next to the river red gum, said he loved the tree but also feared that it could drop its limbs and cause damage.

He hoped that if the tree received more water it would be less likely to do so.

The significant tree has become something of an icon, having previously been nominated South Australian Tree of the Year.

An arborist report commissioned by some residents earlier recommended methods to “protect the tree during any development or remediation to the roads or curbing in Overbury Drive”, council said.