Along the side of the Waimariti Stream – that joins the Avon River at Mona Vale – Jane Deans planted an unknown number (unknown these days it seems) of old English Oaks. Only one now remains, in the garden at 40a Weka Street, Fendalton.
The very kind house owner was more than happy to show off the old historic Oak in his garden, telling me it was just bouncing back from a few years of being unwell. When I asked him if he knew when these Oaks were planted, he said that it was the same time that the Old English Oak was planted, beside the marker acknowledging the site of the first home built on the Plains in 1843 at Riccarton House. Jane planted that oak in 1897 so that makes this old Oak over 100 years old!!! !
The Waimariti Stream was the northern boundary of the Riccarton property – once.
*photo taken by Annette Bulovic*
