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King Edward VII Big Tree
Located in
South Africa :: Western Cape (Garden Route)
Category:
Protected Areas :: Botanical
King Edward VII Big Tree is situated in the Diepwalle Forest Station, just outside Knysna.
King Edward VII Tree is the largest of several enormous Outeniqua Yellowwoods (Podocarpus falcatus) growing in the Knysna forests. It has a crown spread of 24 m and a circumference of 6 m. This tree reaches 39 m above the forest floor. It was originally called Templeman's Tree, after the woodcutter who bought it, but the tree was never felled because it was too large to be handled.
It was renamed after King Edward VII when a delegation of the British Parliamentary Association was treated to a lunch at the tree in 1924. It is estimated to be 650 years old. Towards the end of the 18th century, European stock farmers and woodcutters established themselves in the Knysna district and began harvesting the wood from the surrounding indigenous forests. Due to the lack of good ecological practices and over-extensive harvesting, much damage was caused to these forests. Between 1939 and 1967 measures were put into place to preserve and maintain the forests, closing them down to allow regeneration.
Today the forests are managed according to strict conservation principles and harvesting is done in a responsible and ecological sensitive manner.
Coming out if Knysna Town heading towards Plettenberg Bay turn left after 5km onto the R339. The road is tarred for 5 km before becoming a dirt road (well maintained).
After a further 10 km you will see the sign for the Big Tree on your left.
INFORMATION:
Take a short walk (450 meters) along the Elephant trial. Well worth it to see ancient Stink Wood trees among other giants! Look out for the elusive Elephants. (Jun-13).
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