132 year old olive and mulberry trees: Churchill Island

Ever since visiting Italy I've loved olive and mulberry trees, especially old gnarled ones. Therefore, to discover similar trees growing at Churchill Island was a delight. These trees were planted in 1880 by Samuel Amess, with advice from his friend Ferdinand von Mueller -- of Melbourne Botanic Garden's fame.

Twisted limbs and knobbly bark suggest trees of a ripe old age. Supports have been necessary to strengthen some of the branches, but they live on, bearing fruit and delighting visitors to Churchill Island.

The white mulberry and common olive are listed on the Significant Trees Historic Register.

To feel the aged bark beneath my fingers and to gaze up into the twisted branches gives me a feeling of timelessness, and a strong feel of the life force the tree.

'My' mulberry tree by the river is in resting mode

'My' mulberry tree, growing alongside the bridge that spans the Maranoa River at Mitchell, has lapsed into dormancy, as a result of a series of severe frosts. A few shrivelled brown leaves (attached to bare branches) are all that remain.

For me, this tree is a true example of the abundance of Nature. When winter turns into spring, the tree will bud, grow large hearted-shaped leaves, and then give generously of itself with an abundant crop of delicious black mulberries. Every evening, Major and I walk past the mulberry tree and often we pause, thinking of juicy fruit. Major enjoys eating mulberries too, especially when they are black and sweet.

But for now the tree is resting, tranquil in its setting alongside the Maranoa River in outback Queensland.