The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: 27/7/81 ¶ ¶ This is not one of the largest's of the Euc. amygdalina, dear Sir Joseph, but it gives a good idea of the colossal stems which this species not rarely forms in our deepest forest-glens. T...

Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Illustrations Collection, significant trees. 81.07.27

Plant names

Eucalyptus amygdalina
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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1881-07-27. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1880-9/1881/81-07-27-final.odt>, accessed June 4, 2026

27/7/81

This is not one of the largest's of the Euc. amygdalina, dear Sir Joseph, but it gives a good idea of the colossal stems which this species not rarely forms in our deepest forest-glens. The photogram

The MS is attached to the back of the mount of a photograph that shows the lower part of a tree completely dwarfing the men standing at its base.

may serve Miss North

Marianne North.

for an other of her splendid oil-paintings.

Regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller.

Compare the measurements given under E. amygd. in the Eucalyptography

B80.13.14, Decade 5.

A press cutting from an unknown source is attached to the MS: 'CAIRE'S VIEWS OF VICTORIA. | The Largest Tree in Victoria. | This monster tree is known as "Big-Ben," and is the oldest specimen of its kind. Its age is calculated from its growth which is one-sixteenth of an inch every year. Its height is over 400 feet. The circumference is 56 feet. The result of this will show that in the year One A. D. this venerable tree was then a mere sapling. Big Ben has stood whilst Nations have been swept away, and is likely still to stand, if the woodmen will but spare that tree. | N. J. Caire, Photo., 57 Bourke St., Melbourne.'

A label attached to the MS identifies the tree 'Big Ben' as , height 400 feet, circumference 56 feet.

A copy of the image is held in the State Library of Victoria (Caire, N. J., Image No. b20267) which identifies the location as 'Black Spur' (near Narbethong, Vic).

'Big Ben' was 'burnt a few seasons since in one of the destructive bush fires which raged in the Dividing Ranges' (Caire (1908)).