 Arbor Day plantings and associated fund raising was reported at Sherwood State School as early as 1890, and the following year, when bunyas, jacarandas, poincianas and camphor laurels were planted, it was reported that, if successful, "the school grounds will, in a few years, present a very pleasing appearance".Sherwood, like many riverside suburbs in Brisbane, was significantly affected by the flood of 1893.The school grounds, along with surrounding residences in low-lying areas, were inundated.