{"id":308053,"date":"2021-10-26T18:00:06","date_gmt":"2021-10-26T08:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=308053"},"modified":"2021-10-26T19:51:04","modified_gmt":"2021-10-26T09:51:04","slug":"national-trust-recognises-bottle-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/10\/26\/national-trust-recognises-bottle-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"National Trust Recognises Bottle Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FLASHBACK: Ten grandchildren of Robert and Laura Smith in the shade of the Hivesville bottle tree after the plaque ceremony in April<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The memorial plaque has been mounted on a rock in front of the Hivesville bottle tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 26, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

The landmark bottle tree near the former railway crossing at Hivesville has been added to the National Trust’s Significant Tree Register.<\/p>\n

The register notes the tree, which was planted to commemorate the memory of a local man killed in a level crossing accident, is a fine example of the Queensland Bottle Tree and a “better than an average” example of its species<\/p>\n

The bottle tree was planted in 1932, three years after a level crossing tragedy which occurred just metres away.<\/p>\n

On October 1, 1929, local farmer Robert Smith apparently stalled his Ford ute on the railway line which then crossed Wondai-Proston Road.<\/p>\n

Seconds later the Proston steam train ploughed into the vehicle, trapping it under the engine.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Smith, 58, suffered fatal injuries in the horrific collision.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, members of the Smith family gathered at the foot of the tree to unveil a plaque to explain the significance of the tree.<\/p>\n

The National Trust citations states the bottle tree has local significance because of its scientific, social, historic and aesthetic values.<\/p>\n

It was added to the register on October 12.<\/p>\n