I have come across this story a few times before in clippings. The story is of the origin of the willow trees that line the banks of the Molonglo River in Canberra and their association with Napoleon Bonaparte and his grave at St. Helena.
The story continues with a local man by the name of Elijah Bainbridge completing the planting on both sides of the river from slips. It is possible I imagine that today's remaining trees (they are currently being removed as a noxious weed from ACT waters) are possible descendants from that early time in Canberra.
The Canberra Times - 17 February 1940
Share -
Poor old Eliah! If only he'd known what environmental damage he was creating!
ReplyDeleteThey reckon it was cut (ACT govt) Willow tree debri that banked up and eventually destroyed the Gudgenby Bridge last floods. Can't help it I like Willows Pete.
ReplyDeleteMe too, one of my favourite trees.
ReplyDeletehttp://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/
They'll all be gone soon Keith.
ReplyDelete