Historical information

The whippletree consists of a loose horizontal bar between the draught animal and its load. The centre of the bar is connected to the load, and the traces, chains or straps on each side of the harness, attached to its ends. Whippletrees are used when pulling a dragged load such as a plough, harrow, or log.

Significance

The whipple tree was attached to a scoop, which was used for building the 'Puffing Billy' railway and also for scooping out Emerald Lake.

Physical description

Wooden bar with metal hook at each end and a metal ring attached to the centre.