Redwood Retreat’s exotic ties

• Kerri and Howard Shanks at their historic home ‘Redwood Retreat’ just outside Scottsdale.

By Daisy Baker
November 18, 2020

On the outskirts of Scottsdale lies the historic Redwood Retreat, which still bears reminders of its beginnings with a collection of rare exotic trees planted by the original owner, Christopher O’Reilly more than 100 years ago.
Mr O’Reilly was a prominent member of society, serving as a MLC, coroner and magistrate.
He also had a great love of botany and collected rare conifer specimens from around the world, which he planted on his property.
Still standing today are a range of exotic tall trees including rare Cedar of Lebanon, Wellingtonia Pine with a butt circumference of 7.6 metres, Bunya Pine and Douglas Fir along with many other varieties.
Mr O’Reilly sold the property in June 1920 to orchardist Oliver Tucker, who planted 23 acres of apple trees in a 20 x 20 foot spacing in the early 1920s.
Mr Tucker’s son Lindsay later took over the orchard.
Apples from the property were exported all over the world and the varieties included Cox's Pippin, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Gravenstein, and in later years Canadian Spartan variety was added. 
Two apple trees remain from the original orchard in the property’s backyard today, a Cox’s Pippin and Golden Delicious.
Current owners Kerri and Howard Shanks bought the property 10 years ago when they were seeking a lifestyle change.
For the first few years they lived in the Scottsdale home through summer and returned to Townsville during the cooler part of the year.
Around six years ago they decided to reside at Redwood Retreat permanently.
Mrs Shanks said they have discovered more about the property’s history over time.
“We didn’t know as much when we bought it. We have collected stuff so that if we ever were to sell, the next person would have all of these lovely stories about the place,” she said.
Artefacts from the property’s past include ledgers detailing how many apples were sent to various countries on what ships.
“There’s a copy of the original certificate from King George to Oliver Tucker thanking him for his contribution of apples to the London exhibit,” she said.
“We’ve got receipts as well, from buying a bathtub to a lady’s watch, they’re over 100 years old these receipts. We also have the mortgage from when it was sold.”
Mrs Shanks has a passion for woodwork and makes apple boxes to sell to the public.
She uses stencils she found that Mr Tucker used for packing his popular apples to transport interstate and internationally, as well as labels which he designed.
Since moving to the property, the Shanks have gradually been restoring the home and the cottage garden, while maintaining the huge trees in the yard.
“We’re trying to restore the house in its yesteryear look but with a more classy touch about it,” Mrs Shanks said.
“Inside we’re going to do a new kitchen and bathroom but old style. There’s a few other rooms that need doing because it’s all split plank walls and then it’s got hessian and wallpaper. We’ll attack those later.”
She said they named the property Redwood Retreat because of the beautiful redwood that remains, and the retreat it provides them from the busyness of daily life.
“We want to maintain the peacefulness of the place,” Mrs Shanks said.
“We’re still close to town but it still has that nice country feel about it.”
Members of the public will be able to visit Redwood Retreat on Saturday November 28 when the Shanks host an open garden.