A Eucalyptus tree that marks the birthplace of Australia's Labor party has died after it was poisoned with herbicide.

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The BBC said sheep shearers met at the tree, known as the "Tree of Knowledge," at the train station in Barcaldine for a landmark strike in 1891.

The tree is believed to be around 200 years old, the BBC said.

Local Labor Party branch president Pat Ogden said officials first noticed something was wrong when its leaves began falling off last spring. The BBC said tests showed chemicals had been thrown around its roots.

"It's an icon of the town, it's an icon of Australia really for the workers," Ogden said.