What the trees see: a talk by author Dave Witty – Sunday Feb 8th 2026

Melbourne’s History Told Through its Trees

The river reds around St Kilda or Bundoora. The yellow box at the gateway to the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The ghost trees that are no longer there: the gum tree at St Francis Church or the Message Tree of Williamstown. 

These centuries-old trees have stories to tell. Sit beneath their shade and you can imagine history unfolding, landscapes changing, different eras passing through. In this presentation, Dave Witty will tell the history of Melbourne through some of its oldest and most celebrated trees.

Join us on Sunday February 8th at the Auditorium in the Cranbourne Gardens at 2 pm, for a fascinating talk by English-born author Dave Witty on his discovery of the diversity within, and the age of the Australian forests compared to English forests. Dave will share stories that he has gathered from around and under some of the trees he encountered in Melbourne.

For more information and to book, please go to https://cranbournefriends.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events/79551-what-the-trees-see-a-talk-by-dave-witty

Please note the Friends’ Booking and Cancellation policy applies to all events.