This old apple tree situated beside the Plenty River Trail at Greensborough has been associated with Melbourne Founder John Batman. Known as Batman's Tree, this apple tree is on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough. It is said that Melbourne Founder John Batman may have planted the tree and later signed his treaty here with the Aboriginal people. It still bears fruit and its recorded on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p7 Was This John Batman's Tree? An apple tree on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough, is believed to have belonged to Melbourne’s founder, John Batman. It could also stand where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the Aboriginal people.1 Known as Batman’s Tree, it still bears fruit and is recorded on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It is ‘Believed to have been planted by either John Batman, (c1837) or Martin Batey (1841)’.2 In 1966 a Horticultural Adviser, Mr Rolfe, after extensive questioning of aged Greensborough residents, wrote: ‘it thus seems fairly certain that the old tree on the banks of the Plenty River is an original Batman apple tree’. Mr Rolfe said that the tree stood on a spot formerly called Wattle Bend: ‘one of the sites claimed to be where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the aboriginals. ‘My main source of information has been interviews with people who attended school in the Greensborough area from 70 to 80 years ago. Their parents were close to the days when Melbourne was founded so information passed on by word of mouth.’ Around 1920 the tree was struck by lightning and a concrete block was placed in the split. The concrete is inscribed with the date 1841 when the tree was thought to have been planted. Not everyone agrees with Mr Rolfe however. Former secretary of the Nillumbik Historical Society, Kevin Patterson, said there was no written evidence to support the claim. But he said the tree had been known to locals for decades as Batman’s Tree. In the 1920s a holiday resort in the area advertised: ‘Come to Greensborough and see John Batman’s tree’. Mr Patterson said it was thought that when Batman died in 1839 his land was sold and a Greensborough man Frederick Flintoff bought seedlings from his orchard for £1 each. This was the only one left.3 Mr Rolfe said: ‘If planted in 1837, or even a few years later, it undoubtedly is the oldest living apple tree in Victoria. Title records of the property on which the tree grows show that the land was a crown grant of F D Wickham in 1840. Mr Wickham was reputed to be a friend of John Batman. All the early settlers prior to the crown grants were squatters, by virtue of Batman’s treaty. This treaty was revoked by the then New South Wales Government, so it is likely that Wickham or an agent was in occupation before 1840. ‘According to Mrs Mavis Latham (John Batman – Great Australian Series, Oxford University Press) when Batman came to Port Phillip in 1835 he brought fruit trees with him. He failed to get a crown grant for his selection on Collins Street, which included 20 acres (eight ha) of orchard and cultivation. His residence became the Government Office and Melbourne grew from wild bushland in 1835 to a town of over 20,000 people by 1841. It is possible Batman visited Wickham and presented him with a tree.’ However a Flintoff descendant in 1933 said Frederick Flintoff ordered his bailiff Martin Batey to transplant the Batman Tree from the Spencer Street orchard to its present site as a memorial to his friend Batman.4 Mr Rolfe spoke to many people, including descendants of the Bateys and Flintoffs and pupils at the Greensborough Primary School. Many had gained their information from a ‘very highly respected’ head master Lewis Amiet at the Greensborough School from 1895 to 1917. He must have gained this information from residents in the district and had this information been incorrect, the parents of the children would have promptly corrected him.’ One woman who attended the school before Mr Amiet’s appointment, said the previous teacher also taught that the tree on the Plenty River was a Batman tree, Mr Rolfe said.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, greensborough, john batman tree, plenty river trail

This old apple tree situated beside the Plenty River Trail at Greensborough has been associated with Melbourne Founder John Batman. The concrete block is inscribed with the date 1841, when the tree was thought to have been planted. Known as Batman's Tree, this apple tree is on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough. It is said that Melbourne Founder John Batman may have planted the tree and later signed his treaty here with the Aboriginal people. It still bears fruit and its recorded on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p7This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, greensborough, john batman tree, plenty river trail

Account of evidence pointing to the origin of an apple tree in Greensborough that may have been planted by John Batman, who died in 18394 p., typescript.batman apple tree

A health and condition report for Nillumbik Shire Council on the Batman / Whatmough Apple Tree. Prepared by Homewood Consulting in 2011The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839.9 page photocopy, text and colour illustrations.batman apple tree, robert whatmough, nillumbik council, plenty river trail

A history of the Batman Apple Tree and Pioneer Children's Cemetery along the Plenty River. Prepared by Samantha Westbrooke Pty Ltd in association with Peter Mills, historian. The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839. The Pioneer Children's Cemetery is the burial place of 7 children from the Whatmough and Partington families who dies between 1845 and 1858.11 page photocopy, text and black and white illustrations.batman apple tree, robert whatmough, plenty river trail, pioneer childrens cemetery

An historical article on the Batman Apple Tree written in 1890. The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839. 5 page copy of newspaper article, text.Handwritten notes by Anne Paul.batman apple tree, robert whatmough, plenty river trail, flintoff family

A report on the Batman Apple Tree written in 2002 by Franz Kreinecker, arborist for Nillumbik Shire Council.The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839. 8 pages of text. No photographs accompany this copy, but a photo list is included in text.batman apple tree, plenty river trail

Story of the origin of the apple tree planted on the east bank of the Plenty River, Greensborough, which has been confirmed as coming from John Batman's orchard in 1841, making it probably the oldest apple tree in Victoria.2 p. Text with colour photographsbatman apple tree, plenty river, whatmough apple tree

The Batman apple tree is located on the Plenty Trail north of Greensborough. The tree dates from the mid 1800s and is said to have been purchased from John Batman's estate after his death.Digital copy of colour photographbatman apple tree, john batman, plenty river trail

The Batman Apple Tree is said to be the oldest apple tree in Victoria and came from the remnants of John Batman's orchard after his death. In the 1840s, this area was Frederick Flintoff's orchard on land called Brancepeth Farm. The tree is located along the Plenty River Trail in Greensborough. 3 colour digital photographsplenty river trail, batman apple tree, john batman, frederick flintoff, brancepeth farm

Colour photograph originally located in a magnetic style album titled 'Greensborough Bypass 1990s 5' suffering significant degradation. No information contained in album or on reverse of photos except where noted. Relocated to archival photosafe storage.greensborough, plenty river walk, maroondah aqueduct, batman apple tree

Details some versions of the history of the 'Batman Apple Tree'. Also the condition and lack of maintenance of the tree in 2002. Highlights Nillumbik Shire's ignorance of the existence of the tree; which is within one kilometre of the Nillumbik Shire Offices.It is possibly the oldest European planted tree in Victoria. It was planted as a young tree in 1841.A4 photocopies of 3 articles relating to the condition and origin of the "Batman Apple Tree", located on the eastern bank of the Plenty River, north of Greensborough.Blue pen annotations on one article.apples, john batman, robert whatmough, frederick nevin flintoff, plenty river, 1841, rome beauty, rymer apples, winter majetin, apollo parkways primary school

A collection of documents relating to the Batman apple tree and those men associated with it: Martin Batey, Frederick N. Flintoff and Johannes Adam Bosch.Documents relating to possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. The tree was allegedly transplanted from John Batman's orchard in Melbourne to the banks of the Plenty River in Greensborough circa 1841, by Mr Flintoff.20-page plastic binder, spiral bound, clear cover. Contains documents relating to the 'Batman' Apple Tree in GreensboroughCollected by Greensborough Historical Society. Folder commenced 2012.batman apple tree, greensborough, martin batey, frederick flintoff, johannes bosch

Greensborough Historical Society are calling for a 170 year old apple tree once owned by John Batman to be given heritage protection.The "Batman apple tree' in Greensborough is believed to be the last existing tree from those brought to Victoria from Tasmania by John Batman. The tree was planted on the present site by the Flintoff family in 1841.A4 printout of article from Banyule and Nillumbik Weekly. Colour photograph and textjohn batman, batman apple tree, flintoff family, greensborough historical society, noel withers, dennis ward

The planning scheme amendment is to extend protection to a group of Pioneer Children's graves and an historic apple tree.The graves are from the pioneering Whatmough and Partington families. The apple tree is the surviving remnant of a former orchard on the site and is believed to have been purchased from the estate of John Batman.A 16 page collection of documents sent to GHS Committee member Anne Paul regarding an amendment to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.Niljohn batman, batman apple tree, whatmough, partington, plenty river, pioneer childrens graves, plenty river trail, nillumbik shire council, greensborough, c78

This is a timeline of the Apple Tree's history from c1835 to 1966. Information is taken from various printed sources.This is possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It was planted on the banks of the Plenty River in 1841.2 typed pages, 2 copies.apples, john batman, robert whatmough, frederick nevin flintoff, plenty river, batman apple tree

A compilation of information on the Batman Apple Tree collected and written by Noel Withers.This is possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It was planted on the banks of the Plenty River in 1841.5 pages of text and illustrations.batmans apple tree, noel withers, john batman, robert whatmough, frederick nevin flintoff, plenty river, 1841

This article, first published in 1910, reports on the 'old' tree planted near Greensborough.This is possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It was planted on the banks of the Plenty River in 1841.3 pages of text and illustration. First published in "Leader' newspaper Melbourne 1910.batmans apple tree, apples, john batman, robert whatmough, frederick nevin flintoff, plenty river, 1841

Brief history of the early life of the Batman Apple Tree in Greensborough. Compiled in 2011.This is possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It was planted on the banks of the Plenty River in 1841.One page of text and illustration.batmans apple tree, apples, john batman, robert whatmough, frederick nevin flintoff, plenty river, 1841

Photograph of the Greensborough apple tree purported to have come from John Batman's orchard around 1840sEarly photograph of the Batman apple treeDigital copy of black and white photograph.batman apple tree, john batman, john bosch

Photograph of John A. Bosch (Bush) and the Greensborough apple tree purported to have come from John Batman's orchard circa 1840. A Melbourne Leader article about the tree was dated 9/4/1910 and this photo appeared therein. Johannes Bosch came to Australia in 1884 aged 17. He married Henrietta Duck, had 3 children and divorced in 1903. Around 1902 he anglicized the family name to Bush.Digital copy of black and white photograph. john bosch, batman apple tree, johannes bosch