Historical information

Acorn and caps are from a 15 metre high Valonia oak tree (Quercus ithaburensis macrolepis) which was uprooted during a storm on Tuesday, 1st December 1987. The tree was planted in the Geelong Botanic Gardens by the first curator, Daniel Bunce, from an acorn shipped to Charles Ibbotson from Southern Europe in 1861. Ibbotson was the Chairman of the Management Committee of the Gardens and a woolbroker and merchant who founded the company Dalgety, Ibbotson and Co. with F.G. Dalgety in 1852. The acorns arrived in poor condition, but later established well. Very few Valonia Oaks were successfully propagated in Australia. Valonia oak caps were an important species which were used in the European tanning industry and Australian tanners were eager to grow the oak here.

Physical description

Five immature acorn caps from a Valonia oak, first planted in the Geelong Botanic Gardens in 1861 from acorns forwarded by Charles Ibbotson. Acorn and cap from a Valonia oak, first planted in the Geelong Botanic Gardens in 1861 from acorns provided by Charles Ibbotson.