Giant tree near Geeveston is biggest in Australia

A 400-YEAR veteran of Tasmania’s southern forests is officially the biggest tree in Australia.

Big Tree

A 400-YEAR veteran of Tasmania’s southern forests is officially the biggest tree in Australia.

The Kermandie Queen, a 76m swamp gum or mountain ash growing in a rainforest just south of Geeveston, is only three-quarters the height of Australia’s tallest tree, the nearby Centurion, which towers 99.7m.

But, using a formula that takes into account a tree’s girth, height and crown size, the Kermandie Queen has outmuscled the competition to be named our biggest tree.

And, while the giant Eucalyptus regnans lives in proximity to working state forests, its safety is assured.

The Kermandie Queen is one of many high and mighty specimens protected by Forestry Tasmania’s Giant Trees policy, which seeks to identify, manage and protect tall timber at least 85m in height or 280 cubic metres stem volume.

“We at Forestry Tasmania are proud to be custodians of the giant trees,” said Huon district manager Roland Freyer.

Included in the policy’s ­objectives is the development of a statewide tourism strategy for the trees.

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Destination Southern Tasmania marketing manager Karen Fraser said a Big Trees experience would fit neatly with the state’s clean and green tourism draw.

“One of Tasmania’s core appeals is accessible wilderness, and giant trees are drawcards for visitors in other parts of the world, including in northern California,” she said.

“To protect them, provide visitors with access to them and provide good interpretation and an authentic experience of our natural wonders will definitely be an asset for southern Tasmania.”

Tasmania has the largest hardwoods on the planet. The only place to produce taller trees is the US but its spruce and redwood trees are softwood species.