Register of Significant Public Trees 

Significant trees 

Many trees found in the City’s parks, gardens and streetscapes have significant aesthetic, botanic, cultural and/or historical importance. The City of Nedlands has implemented a program to identify, assess and register trees with significant conservation value on land owned, managed or under the control of the City. The Register of Significant Public Trees seeks to recognise and raise awareness of the value of trees and the need to protect significant trees within the district for the ongoing benefit of the community. 

Identifying and entering trees in the Register is an ongoing program which includes a process for community members to nominate trees to be assessed for potential inclusion. A tree must meet the requirements of one or more categories of significance that will act to set the tree apart from others of its type to be entered in the Register. Reasons a tree may be identified as significant include: 

• Significant heritage value  
• Rare or endangered species  
• Unique to the local environment  
• Historical significance  
• Contribution to landscape  
• Cultural significance  
• Exhibits unusual appearance or shape  
• Forms part of a significant avenue or group 

Trees listed on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees that are located on public land are automatically entered in the Register. 

Tree preservation and conservation 

Significant trees are an important part of the City’s community heritage and are considered an invaluable community resource. The City actively supports the preservation and conservation of trees on land it owns or manages and controls. The Register is being implemented for use by the community and City staff to assist with raising awareness of significant trees in the municipality.  

Protecting these valuable cultural and heritage assets is an important consideration in planning for land use and development. Tree protection is of particular importance where proposed development will involve building/works in the vicinity of the root zone of significant trees and where design elements, such as site access, may conflict with street trees. The City has developed procedures to protect significant public trees from the impacts of development. 

How to nominate a significant tree?

The City invites new nominations for trees on public land within the district to be assessed for potential inclusion in the Register. Nominations must be received in writing by completing the Significant Tree Nomination Form. The standard the City uses for assessing trees for potential inclusion in the Register aligns with conventions used by the Institute of Australian Consulting Arboriculturalists and the National Trust of Australia.

Significant Tree Nomination Form