By Kirra Livingstone
AHEAD of World Arbour Day on July 28, the Beerburrum State School planted a Lone Pine tree, donated by the Glasshouse Country RSL sub-branch.
The school first planted a Lone Pine tree in 2017, however it died before it grew into its full potential.
Glasshouse Country RSL committee member, Danny Cooper, bought two Lone Pine trees a few years ago when he was beautifying the forgotten historical Beerburrum Cemetery.
He planted one at the cemetery and had a back up if the first one died, but it survived! Danny decided to donate the ‘spare’, which had been thriving in his backyard.
“The school was very appreciative of us to donate this historically significant tree to their garden on Friday (July 26),” Danny said.
“The Lone Pine stems from a story from WWI, where on August 6, 1915, the 1st Australian Infantry Division launched a major offensive, at Plateau 400 at Gallipoli.
“Aleppo Pines covered the ridges but were cut down to cover and line the trenches, leaving just one tree, which became known as Lone Pine Ridge.”
In 1990, two trees were taken back to Gallipoli by veterans who attended the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Lone Pine Ridge. Danny said that now, people can only buy Lone Pine trees from one nursery in Canberra, direct from the Lone Pine tree in Gallipoli.
Prices start at $10-$15 for small Lone Pine trees, however, after a few weeks of growth they skyrocket to about $300-$400.