The five metre tall radiata pine tree from Penrose State Forest near Moss Vale now takes pride of festive place in Government House. Photo: Forestry Corporation.
A five‑metre radiata pine from the Southern Highlands now takes pride of place in the foyer of Government House, bringing festive cheer and continuing a long-standing NSW tradition of using State forest pines to celebrate Christmas.
Carefully selected for its perfect shape, the tree was harvested from Penrose State Forest, near Moss Vale, and decorated in time for the Christmas reception of Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC.
A slightly smaller 3.5‑metre pine has also been supplied to the historic Vaucluse House in Sydney.
Before they reached Sydney, these Christmas trees began life as a tiny seed at Blowering Nursery, near Tumut.
Established in 1996, the nursery has nurtured over 165 million containerised Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) seedlings since its first harvest in 1997.
Here, millions of seedlings are grown each year under carefully controlled conditions to ensure strong survival when planted across southern NSW.
Forestry Corporation then hand-plants these seedlings in state forests, replenishing harvested areas and securing timber supplies for future generations.
The trees were planted in Penrose State Forest, a historic radiata pine plantation which straddles both sides of the Hume Highway near Moss Vale.
All decked out for Christmas at Vaucluse House. Photo: Forestry Corporation
Established in the 1920s, Penrose was originally managed to supply Sydney markets with Christmas trees.
The Black Friday fire of 1939 devastated both the plantation and the nearby village, but heavy rains allowed the pines to regenerate strongly.
By the early 1950s, the Forestry Commission was selling tens of thousands of Penrose-grown Christmas trees each year.
Today, the forest continues this festive legacy with these two carefully selected trees, while its primary focus remains a cornerstone of NSW’s softwood timber industry producing timber for construction, landscaping, and everyday products, from pulp and paper to furniture and packaging.
Each year, the state’s forest pine plantations produce enough timber to build 40,000 homes — equivalent to all the houses in Orange, Bathurst, and Oberon combined.
Vaucluse House, overlooking Sydney Harbour, is a preserved 19th-century mansion and estate that serves as both a museum and cultural venue.
Visitors can explore its colonial-era house, gardens and grounds, which host seasonal events including Christmas celebrations.
According to Tom Bagnell, Forestry Corporation’s Moss Vale area supervisor, displaying a State forest pine there, as at Government House, links NSW’s forestry industry to these heritage sites, showcasing both the aesthetic and symbolic value of these plantation trees.
“Our team takes great pride in finding the perfect Christmas trees for Government House and Vaucluse House,” he said.
“These trees bring joy to the community while also highlighting the important role our pine plantations play in supporting sustainable timber production across NSW.”
