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Statement of Significance

The rich, fertile soil, temperate climate and the interest of many of its citizens in things botanical has resulted in theToowoomba Region’s ability to grow a wide range of indigenous and non-indigenous plants. In 1860, the area was the first to hold an Agricultural Show in Queensland – 15 years before Brisbane. Walter Hill, the then Government Botanist and first Curator of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, travelled to Toowoomba to advise with the design and planning of Queens Park and street plantings in Toowoomba. He subsequently imported many tree species from Europe, Asia and other parts of the world to be planted there. Hill Street in Toowoomba is named in his honour. The town attracts many visitors in September for its famous Carnival of Flowers, when people come from near and far to enjoy Toowoomba’s many parks and gardens.
The magnificent Boyce Garden, forest and park, which covers six hectares, was established as a private garden by leading Toowoomba businessman, Dr Leslie Boyce, and his wife Margaret, over a period of almost sixty years. Dr and Mrs Boyce gave the house and surrounding property to the University of Queensland in 1969, in trust for the enjoyment and education of the people of Australia.
This is the largest and most accessible stinging tree in suburban Toowoomba and is an integral part of the only preserved area of local native rainforest in suburban Toowoomba.
The tree is an interesting and well known local native rainforest species and is part of remnant vegetation in the historic Boyce Rainforest. It is a tree to be viewed with care, because of its stinging properties, and it is unusual in being so easily seen by the public. The tree in the context of the rainforest commemorates Dr Leslie Boyce, a Toowoomba businessman, who with his wife, Mrs Margaret Boyce, created the Boyce Gardens and Rainforest over a period of forty years before giving the house and surrounding property to the University of Queensland in 1969. It has an interesting trunk and quite attractive large heart-shaped hairy leaves.
The tree is located by Range Street on the very edge of the rainforest.