February 25th, 2026Size does matter – Trentham’s tree is bigger

After last week’s edition of The Local and the big Murray River red gum on our front page, a call came through from Trentham.
Resident Paul Marson reckoned there was a bigger tree in Blue Mount Road near Manna Lane.
Botanist and tree expert John Beetham was put on the case and headed out with photo journalist Kyle Barnes.
And yes, it was bigger. Much bigger.

John measured the manna gum (eucalyptus viminalis) and soon discovered it is the third largest manna gum in Australia – so far. It has a height of 28m, an east/west canopy spread of 30m and a girth of 11.15m, giving it a diameter of breast height (DBH) of 3.55m.
To put this into perspective, the National Trust Victoria’s database has three of the largest manna gums recorded. They are: the Bonang (East Gippsland) tree – 4.6m (DBH), the Healesville tree – 4.1m and the Lyonville tree – 2.7m.
The Trust Trees Australia database, which includes significant trees growing all around Australia, has these trees also listed as those with the largest recorded DBHs. “So you see the Trentham tree is quite competitive,” John said.
Paul, pictured right with John, left, said he and wife Helen, both teachers, moved to Kyneton from Queensland in 2005. They moved to Trentham about six years ago.
They found the tree during the start of the pandemic when they were driving around looking at developments around the region.
“It was when we were all told not to go anywhere so we all went somewhere. We went driving, walking is for younger people” he said.
“We found this tree. When I saw your paper I thought ‘mine’s bigger’ – and a much better looking tree than the one you had. And it’s a proper tree, it’s tall, it’s respectable.”
Pictured, inset, Clunes’ Earle Kent thought his Murray River red gum was pretty big at 15 metres high. Sorry Earle.
Image & words: Kyle Barnes
Know a bigger tree? news@tlnews.com.au