Sir Victor Davies – founder of Duncan and Davies

Some information about the extraordinary Sir Victor Davies (1887-1977). NZ’s most famous nurseryman and authority on shrubs and trees.  Sir Victor was the impetus behind the more than 200 Californian redwoods at Lucy’s Gully near Oakura (that were planted in 1933 during the Great Depression to create work for the unemployed).  His Westown nursery Duncan and Davies in 1973 employed more than 170 people.

In the early 1970s Duncan and Davies had 2.5m plants on their 243 acre site.  Sir Victor also imported and exported more shrubs and trees than anyone else in NZ and Australia.  He was awarded a knighthood in 1977 but died before receiving it.  Hopefully the video of Redwoods at Lucy’s Gully won’t give you vertigo.

3:25                                                                                                                   10/3/26