Historic Self-Guided Walk Beaumont - Meetup

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10 House - 15 Sturt PlaceFormerly owned by the Cleland family, this houseis built on a sloping block facing the Common.Notable landscaping features include the matureolives which border the property. These trees areprobably part of the Cleland family’s early olivegroves and are important for this association withthe family.11 Plaque on Beaumont CommonMounted on a rock at the western end of the Common, the plaquecommemorates the centenary of Samuel Davenport’s 1849 vesting of thisland ‘in perpetuity for the enjoyment of the inhabitants of the village ofBeaumont.’ It was passed to the City of Burnside in 1973.Beaumont Common vegetationThe numerous survivors of the original pre-European vegetationmake this public space an important conservation area. Over the yearsBeaumont Common has been regarded as a park and has thereforebeen planted with ornamental trees, both native and exotic. Most of thesupplementary planting has taken place around the edges, perhaps withthe object of improving the outlook for residents in the neighbouringarea. Some exotics have also been planted along the creek line.Among the survivors are remnants of the original ‘Black Forest’ whichcovered part of the Adelaide Plains from south-east of central Adelaide,extending roughly from the current suburb of Black Forest to GreenhillRoad and up to, and including, Beaumont Common. The name ‘BlackForest’ derived from the dark trunks of the numerous rough-barked gumtrees known as the grey box, Eucalyptus microcarpa. Despite the name,the Black Forest was a grassy woodland of mixed species. The largestspecimen on Beaumont Common is probably over 500 years old.The City of Burnside works to protect all indigenous remnant vegetationas part of its biodiversity initiatives. In places it has encouraged the understoreyof local native grasses and planted local shrubs and wild flowers.Mulch is used to suppress weeds and to stop further compaction of thesoil. Mulch under trees indicates that the specimens are almost certainlyremnants from before 1849. In two areas there are fenced enclosuresaround damaged old trees. The soil in the enclosures has a fungal diseasewhose spread can be controlled by exclusion of walkers.The following descriptive list of species is presented in suggested walkingsequence from west to east citing the identification numbers shown onthe map. By following the map it should be possible to find the correctspecimens described in the text.
12 Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa)Is wide-spread across the Common. This particularspecimen is unusual and is the largest and oldesthere, perhaps over 500 years old. Its swollen baseis a lignotuber. A lignotuber produces new stemswhich become new trunks to replace the centraltrunk as is gradually ages.13 Blue gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon)This tall pair is situated either side of the road on the south edge of theCommon. There are others on the Common.14 Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla)Although this shady tree is not native to the area, it is of historicalimportance because it is said to have been planted in 1857 tocommemorate the visit of the then Duke of Edinburgh.15 Wilga (Geijera parviflora)A solitary graceful tree from the range lands of South Australia.16 Tower House - 14 The CommonThis is one of the enduring landmarks besideBeaumont Common. The first rooms were builtbefore 1850 by William Vansittart. The tower wasadded in about 1880 by a later owner (probablySt. Barbe Miller).17 Vegetation typical of the originalThis is one of the two small patches (17a and 17b on the map) on theCommon where the City of Burnside has recreated a sample of theoriginal ‘Black Forest’ plant community once widespread across theAdelaide Plains. Under the Blue Gums and Golden Wattles have beenplanted at least 15 different grasses, herbs, lilies and small shrubs. All ofthese would have grown here originally as native ground cover. In theirseason they provide a diversity of colours and important shelter andfood for small animals - birds, lizards and insects. It now also providesthe observer with insight into how the woodlands have changed. Moreinformation is available on the Council’s signboard (Item 19) at thenorthern edge of the Common near the only River Red Gum (Item 18).
Page 1: Historic Self-Guided WalkBeaumont
Page 4 and 5: 1 Beaumont House - 631 Glynburn Roa
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Page 10 and 11: 18 River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camald
Page 12: SUNNYSIDE RDBYRONCOOPERPLPENARTHVAN

Historic Self-Guided Walk Beaumont - Meetup

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