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When you are heading to Knysna from the Diepwalle forest station, itβs worthwhile to make a stop to pay tribute to a remarkable tree, the King Edward VII Tree, one of the giant yellowwoods to be found along South Africaβs Garden Route.
A short wooden walkway leads to the tree that reaches skyward with an incredible strength and majesty, jutting out above the canopy. This Outeniqua yellowwood is estimated to be more than 600 years old, is 36.9 metres high with a crown spread of 35.6 metres and a tree trunk circumference of 7 metres.
The forest king received its name in honour of King Edward VII (who succeeded his mother Queen Victoria in 1901) at an official picnic in 1924 when legendary forester John Pillips chose this special site to entertain the British Empire Parliamentary Association that was visiting South Africa.
Dressed in their finery, the dignitaries were seated on upturned log ends and enjoyed a traditional South African braai. The information board at the tree has an extract from a letter Prof Phillips wrote in 1981 to his nephew, remembering the memorable picnic at the tree. He wrote: β. . . we arranged for Granny to give about 200 people lunch (chops, beef etc. on coals) . . . the [Department of Forestry] provided the liquor; my staff made coffee, tea etc.β
He continued: βI chose the site because it was really accessible, on an old (then still in use) elephant trail; we made rustic seats. I worked out a tale, which my Father, a gifted man with a piece of chalk, put on a big slab of wood, all about the tree, its approx. age, its sex, its dimensions. I gave a short βwaffleβ about the old tree. Many wrote to me from abroad later, to say how unique the setting and the tale were. General Smuts wrote to thank me for the arrangements . . . (About 11 elephants were in the vicinity that day. I arranged with my men to see that they did not intrude at the party!)β.