This small memorial plaque overlooks the Toororrong Reservoir north of Melbourne and commemorates Dr. David Ashton.
David was unquestionably the world expert on the ecology of mountain ash forests (Eucalyptus regnans).
He was born in Melbourne in 1927 and received a Bachelor of Science in 1949, and a PhD later in 1957.
In 1949, David initiated a 50-year experiment in the Wallaby Creek Catchment after parts of the mountain ash forests had been severely burnt, killed and then regenerated after the Black Friday fires of 1939.
Some of the oldest trees remaining in Wallaby Creek originated from a bushfire in about 1700, while others regenerated after the great fire of 1851. The forest was burnt once again in the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009.
Along with other foresters and dendrophiles like Murray Cunningham, David discovered the essential role of disturbance by infrequent but intense bushfires in regenerating and renewing these wet mountain forests.
He became an inspiring and passionate teacher for over three decades at the University of Melbourne as Associate Professor of Botany. He undoubtedly influenced several generations of Victorian botanists and foresters… including me…
David received many honours and awards including an Order of Australia (OAM) in 2001 “For service to the science of plant ecology, particularly in the areas of forest regeneration, conservation and management”.
He passed away in 2005 leaving an amazing legacy.
Dendrophile… one who loves trees and forests…
https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/ashton-david-hungerford-19066
Victoria’s Forests & Bushfire Heritage 