The Greytown Gum

Every town has its stories—but not every town has a eucalyptus tree that was technically stolen during a stop at the pub.

Back in 1856, Samuel Oates was tasked with pushing a wheelbarrow of supplies (including a dozen young gum seedlings) all the way from Wellington to Carterton, on behalf of Charles Rooking Carter. It was hard work, and somewhere near Greytown, Oates understandably took a break at the Rising Sun Hotel.

While he was enjoying a well-earned pint, someone made off with three of the seedlings from his wheelbarrow. Whether it was an act of mischief, opportunity, or simply poor parking, we’ll never know. But one of those wayward seedlings ended up being planted in the churchyard of St Luke’s—and that’s where it still stands today.

Now a towering presence in the heart of Greytown, the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) is more than just a leafy local landmark. It’s a story of serendipity, a dash of colonial drama, and a reminder that sometimes the best things in life aren’t planned—they're pinched during a pub stop.