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1886
f.29 "The Monarch of Menah" A Flooded Red Gum, Menah Flat 7 miles north of Mudgee. - Presumed to be some centuries old. It was an old and vigorous tree when the first settlers in the district camped beneath it. 50 feet in girth a yard from the ground and 20 feet through. 18861 .
1913
23 October 1913
The Cox Tree.
Danger of Its Destruction (To the Editor).
Sir. - In your issue of 29th September, I notice a very interesting sketch headed "Early Land Hunters - The. Cox Family," written by Mr. G. H. F. Cox, great-grandson of Captain William Cox, who built the first road over the Blue Mountains. Mr. G. H. F. Cox has written a history of Mudgee from the day on at Menah or Munna, in 1821, and refers to the huge gum tree, where they first camped. This tree is still standing and is protected by the Cox family, who will allow no axe to touch it. This was strictly carried out in Mr. G. H. F. Cox's time. But Mr. Cox must have forgotten that the land and the tree have passed out of the Cox family, and, unless there is some agreement or understanding between the previous and the present owner, it is possible that the tree may be destroyed at any moment. It had two very narrow escapes in the past to my knowledge. The question is now, "Is it worth while to preserve it as an historical or family relic." We very often read of such simple things being nationally preserved and cared for in other countries for generations and if the tree on the Blue Mountains, which is inscribed with the names of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson,' is worthy of being preserved and cared for as an historical relic, this tree should also be preserved for the same purpose. And, as the history of the discovery of this spot has been far more risky and venturesome, it must also be far more interesting, for the greater the risks the greater the honor. But whose hand is to protect it now. It is the property of Mr. E. Woolley, and in the possession of Mr. W. Rayner, as lessee, whose word could be relied upon to protect it at present. Then, should it be inscribed after the same manner as the tree on the Blue Mountains? Also, what form should the inscription take, and by whose authority should the work be done? Sydney "Bulletin" has taken particular notice of this short history, and places so much value on it that it should be published in the interests of the public, and, as the Cudgegong Council would be highly interested in this matter (for all the parties concerned with this history have been connected with the Council), it would be to the Cudgegong Council's interest and credit to have the tree preserved. With the consent of Mr. Woolley and the lessee (Mr. Rayner) the cost need not be great, while the preservation would be recognised and appreciated by the public. - I am, etc., JOHN LEE, Ashbourne, 21/10/132
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30 October 1913
The Cox Tree.
THE suggestion thrown out by Mr. John Lee in last Thursday's issue to preserve for all time the first tree under which that fine old pioneer, the late Captain William Cox, camped in the precincts of Mudgee, is one that is well worth the consideration of the people of this district. Captain Cox was practically the discoverer of the rich Mudgee lands, and he was the first man to take up land in this vicinity. Moreover, his early arduous pioneering work opened the way for all that development and progress with which the name of Cox is synonymous in the north west. Ineradicably stamped upon the pages of history are the fine English courage, generosity, and hardihood with which this adventurous spirit subdued the wilds and caused them to blossom like the proverbial bay tree. It is, but right, therefore, that some steps should be taken to preserve the first natural bulwark in the Mudgee district which sheltered his head.
But before any steps are taken in the way of railing off and name-plating the tree - the expense of which would be a mere bagatelle - it would be well to make sure of the exact position of the tree in question. From information to hand, it would appear that Mr. Lee is not correct in singling out the huge gum tree on Mr. H. Woolley's property at Menah as the spot on which Captain Cox first camped. The honor belongs to the middle one of three trees which stands at the rear of Mr. Fred. Cox's residence. Mr. Lee's misapprehension evidently arose from the fact that the late distinguished pioneer remitted to the tenant holding the land he mentions a fixed sum yearly, on condition that the huge gum were allowed to remain untouched. But this action was not taken because of its reputation as the first tree to shelter his head from the glaring Mudgee sun; it arose from the fact that the gum tree was the largest natural growth on the famous Menah Flat, and was for this reason an object of sentimental solicitude to him.
It is to be hoped, however, that Mr. Lee's suggestion re preserving the well-known historic landmark will not fall upon deaf ears. It is scarcely to be hoped that any government will devote a moiety of its funds towards this object; but a little canvassing amongst the older residents of this district, we feel assured, would soon result in ample funds being raised to do the necessary work incidental to preserving the tree for all time. A little opening ceremony, as it were would doubtless bring to light a mass of interesting data in connection with the early history of settlement in the Mudgee district. This would make interesting reading to many thousands of people in the north-west and to many students of Australia's growth and history3
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1921
Grouped under the Camping Tree, Menah, where the first settlers camped. The group was photographed after the unveiling of the dedication tablet. The inscription on the tablet, which is of slate from the Mudgee slate quarry, is: "Camping Tree". Under this tree first settlers of the Mudgee district, George and Henry Cox, camped, 12 February 1822. Dedicated to the general public by Mrs Mackenzie, grand-daughter of Henry Cox. 12/3/1921.
1951
31 May 1951
Camping Tree and the Jubilee Guide Book
(To the Editor)
Sir: - In the Jubilee Guide Book to Mudgee is a photo of the so called Camping Tree, under which it states there is a public right of way. There is definitely no right of way to this tree though there is one to the tree situated about 2 miles up the river. This tree is marked by an inscribed stone (made of Mudgee slate) and created in the Centenary Year, 1921, by the Historical Society.
In a letter, a copy of which I have in my possession, written by my grandfather, Henry Cox, he states its exact location as being about 200 yards from the back of the old Menah homestead. Half-way between it and the house is a large apple tree close to where the old lock up of those days stood. This was the flogging tree and not a gum as the Guide Book states.
I am writing this to let the public know the true facts of the case.
Another matter which I see in the Guide Book as well as in all the maps etc., is the way Mt. Froom is spelt & pronounced. This Mount, was named after a man named Tom Froom (pronounced as spelt), who was the first white man to climb to its summit. He was one of the men who came over from Bathurst with the two brothers, George and Henry Cox, with their 500 head of cattle, when they first settled in Mudgee. Tom Froom went up the mountain to try and locate some lost cattle, he thinking that he might see them from so high an elevation. He was either a bullock driver or a stock man. This may be of interest to the residents of the locality. B. F. Cox7
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