Dja Dja Wurrung Group chief executive officer Rodney Carter described the situation as traumatising.

"This is just so gut wrenching," he said.

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"A tree is a plant and it is innocent and for somebody to then go and burn it which is harmful to the tree and it is of such high significance culturally and it helps my people in terms of us being the Dja Dja Wurrung, connecting culturally to landscape and then for the Talbot community, it has been an asset.

"For somebody to try and take it away from us is just so damaging.

"This is a form of violence in the real sense and there has been every varied emotion that you could think of."

Mr Carter praised the efforts for all people involved in saving the tree.

"I am really pleased with the amount of people that have stepped up by the CFA, the Fagan family, and the Maryborough Police that have rallied around this.

"I think people will be stronger because of things like this, somebody or something has attacked us and to be stronger in these situations is really important."

Forest Fire Management Victoria is on the scene to assess the tree.

11.30am

Victoria Police media confirmed the fire is believed to be suspicious, with investigators told the tree, off Pollocks Road, was "set alight by unknown persons about 6pm" on Thursday.

"Investigators believe the Aboriginal Maternity Tree off Pollocks Road was set alight by unknown persons sometime between 6pm and 10pm," they said in a statement.

"Witnesses have reported seeing a yet to be identified vehicle in the area when the tree was alight.

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"Victoria Police acknowledges the distress the incident has caused given the tree's cultural significance to the Aboriginal community.

"Police are actively engaging with Aboriginal stakeholders and an investigation into the incident is ongoing."

9.30am

A 700-year-old redgum, of strong cultural significance to the Dja Dja Wurrung people, has allegedly been set on fire.

The heritage-listed tree, about five kilometres from Talbot, is still alight as of Friday morning.

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Firefighters are waiting for Dja Dja Wurrung Elders to arrive, to give permission for the tree to be lopped so the fire inside can be accessed.

The Shelter Tree, or Maternity Tree, has a 15 metre girth and its hollowed out centre was used as a shelter by the Dja Dja Wurrung clan, particularly by Dja Dja Wurrung women giving birth, according to Visit Talbot.

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It is recorded as a Significant Tree on the Register of the National Trust.

Earlier

Country Fire Authority crews are on scene following a tree fire on Pollocks Road in Talbot, near Maryborough.

A CFA spokesperson said crews were first notified of the fire at 9.59pm on Thursday night.

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"A stop was put on the incident at 12.24am," they said.

The spokesperson said crews were again called out to the scene at 05.07 after the interior of the tree reignited.

They said two vehicles from Talbot brigade remain on scene monitoring the situation.

Police have been notified of the incident.

- with The Courier

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