The Rocks plays host to first ever living plant Christmas tree

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority has installed a Christmas tree in The Rocks unlike any other Christmas tree ever created before … anywhere. The 7.5 metre tree on George Street at the entrance to The Rocks is made entirely of living plants! The tree has been created by TV host, landscape architect and author Brendan Moar (http://www.brendanmoar.com/about-brendan/) who worked tirelessly with a team of 12 to bring the tree to life, literally. 

“I wanted to create something that had never been done before that was eco-friendly and a beautiful, festive attraction for people coming into Sydney’s most historic precinct,” said Brendan.

“We pieced together 143 linear metres of piping with 195 elbows, combining 22 different radiuses around the tree – not dissimilar to building a large meccano set!

“The tree itself is made up of more than 600 succulent plants which are drought tolerant and were specifically chosen for their shape and capacity to live in the heat for six weeks.

“We used more than 1,000 household pot scorers and placed these around the tree to create a decorative effect that reflects light.

“An aluminium pipe has been strategically placed around the outside of the tree and planted with more than 20 different varieties of succulents.  It twists, bends and folds its way around from top to bottom in a nod to a traditional decorative garland – it’s my version of tinsel and baubles! 

“Atop the tree we have created a 6-point star made from more pot scorers and features laser sequins on a polystyrene ball,” said Brendan.

It took the team of metal fabricators, carpenters, horticulturalists and irrigators approximately 160 hours to build the structure off site and a further 26 hours to install and prepare the tree on site at The Rocks.

The tree will remain in The Rocks until 27 December 2012.