Join us along a series of caches celebrating wonderful trees. We are new to hiding caches so hope you enjoy them. There is nothing quite as lovely as a magnificent tree, so why not stop to admire them as you seek out these caches?
Impressive Cedar
You are next to the site of Sacred Hearts Church, built in 1957. Initially established in 1939 when in 1939 the sisters of La Sainte Union opened a boarding school and convent at Charlton Park. In 1947 with the expanded congregation, land was acquired from the school to build the new church.
The tree in front of you is a cedar. We have always admired this tree, but have found information about its origin or importance lacking. Please let us know if you can add to its story!
Cedars are evergreen conifers, growing upto 35m tall. Characterised by blackish-brown ridge bark, the twigs are brown and slightly hairy. It has a distinct shape, with several trunks and clear horizontal layers in its structure. The tree is monoecious (both the male and female reproductive organs are on the same plant). The female flowers develop into a green cone, which becomes purple-grey and finally brown when mature, up to 12 months after pollination. Male flowers develop on separate cones that are small and greyish-green when immature, but lengthen and turn brown when mature. They release pollen into the air.
The cracks and crevices in the cedar tree are a great habitat for invertebrates and nesting sites for birds and bats. Traditionally, the oil extracted from the tree has been used as an essential oil in cough medicines, and as an antiseptic. The wood is also used as an insect repellent e.g. for clothes moths.