THE century-old (or more) Marburg bottle tree is now under a permanent protection order.

Cr Jim Madden, who heads up the Ipswich City Council environment committee, said the Lawrence Street bottle tree was part of the town’s local environment and preserving it for the future was essential.

“The tree, which is on private property, is aesthetically pleasing and adds to the beauty of the streetscape while providing shelter and seeds to local wildlife,” he said.

“Inspections found it to be of sound condition and exceptional type.

“Council has several processes through which it can protect vegetation and following an application by the landowner to protect the tree, Local Law No. 49 (Protection of Important Vegetation) was thought to be the most appropriate measure.”

The tree has been under an interim Vegetation Protection Order for most of the year.

“Council undertook a public submission period before making the order permanent,” Cr Madden said.

It is the fourth tree in Ipswich region to be preserved under a Vegetation Protection Order. The last one was made in 2003 to protect a Queensland Blue Gum in Goodna.