Significant Tree Register

Many trees within Wyndham are important to the community and have significant scientific, social, historic and amenity attributes. Council is developing a Significant Tree Register where trees of significance within Wyndham can be identified, assessed and afforded appropriate protection.

Nomination Map and Form

About the Significant Tree Register

The Significant Tree Register aims to celebrate and protect the unique and special trees across Wyndham. These trees are important to our community and beyond and are special landmarks in our landscape.

Through a public nomination process, trees have been identified for their significance based on the Natural Heritage Trust’s criteria of scientific, social, historical and amenity values. The Register contains an information on each significant tree, such as its type, size and history, and details of what makes it significant.  

This Register will ultimately support an application to protect these trees through Wyndham’s planning scheme. If planning controls are supported by the Victorian Government, a permit will be required to remove or carry out major works on any tree listed within this register.

This Register is intended to be a continually evolving entity. It will be updated to include additional significant tree features and to remove those that no longer exist within the landscape.

The Significant Tree Register is an action within Wyndham’s City Forest and Habitat Strategy.

Trees on Public Land

Council has conducted two nominations rounds for trees on public land. Every nominated tree was subject to an arboricultural and heritage assessment which resulted in over 160 trees being identified as significant trees and included on the register.

Further nominations of trees in the public round can be made during the private land nomination period.

Trees on Private Land – Nominations Open

Now that the initial public realm trees have been identified, Council is expanding nominations to include trees on private land. Significant trees on private land can now be nominated by filling in the online form via Council’s online map website.

The nomination period will be open from 1st April until 31st July 2020

Nominations Guide:

• Any tree can be nominated by any person.
• Click on the nomination map and click on the location of the tree. A nomination form will pop up.
• A tree must be significant in one or more of the following categories (see below for further detail):
  • Scientific
  • Social
  • Historic
  • Amenity
• Include as much information as possible about the tree.
• Please indicate if you are/are not the property owner.
• Trees on public land can also be nominated, please check the above map to check if a tree has already been nominated.  
• Property owners will be contacted if a tree has been nominated on their land.
• Every nominated tree will receive an arboricultural assessment which will include a tree management plan for any required maintenance.
• Wyndham City Council will identify options to assist residents with managing trees that are included in the final Significant Tree Register.

Tree Significance Criteria

Trees can be significant for a number of reasons, including scientific, social, historic or aesthetic significance. The tree only needs to meet the benchmark for one of the following criteria to be included, however they may be nominated for more than one.

Scientific:

• Horticultural or genetic value
• Important source of seed or propagating stock
• Particularly resistant to disease or exposure
• Rarity of species or of a localised distribution;
• Locally indigenous remnant vegetation;
• Of exemplary size;
• An exceptional example of the species;

Social:

• Unique location;
• Makes a significant contribution to landscape;
• Has an association with the activities of Indigenous Australians;
• Is an important landmark;
• Has a spiritual or religious association;
• Has a contemporary association with the community;

Historic:

• Part of a historic park, garden or town;
• Commemorative planting;
• Associated with an important person, group or institution;

Amenity/Aesthetic:

• A tree of high amenity value;
• Exhibits curious growth form or unusual physical features;
• Is an exceptional example of the species;
• The nomination of trees for inclusion on the Significant Tree Register on a local level;

Next Steps

When the private land nomination period concludes, arboricultural and heritage assessments will be conducted on all newly nominated trees. Once complete, an application to amend the planning scheme will be submitted to the Minister for Planning. An update will be provided once the outcome is known.

For further information, please contact Andrew Fox on (03) 9742 0777 or email Treeplanning@wyndham.vic.gov.au.