This Ombu tree (Phytolacca dioica), located on the corner of Hobson and Leach Streets may have been planted as far back as the 1860s.
About 1980 an old established garden on this site was cleared to make way for a new church building. This tree was the only significant species to survive although some pruning was carried out at the time. (The Notable Trees of New Plymouth, Cory Smith, 2002)
In 2013, when approval was given to build a new hotel on the site, this protected tree was incorporated into the design of the building.
Related documents:
Entry for Ombu Tree, The Notable Trees of New Plymouth, Cory Smith, 2002.
$18m hotel plan for city (Taranaki Daily News 20 July 2012)
Rare tree to anchor hotel design (Taranaki Daily News 27 June 2014)
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