To preserve this character and to acknowledge the value of individual or rows of trees, residents can nominate a special example to be assessed for potential inclusion our Significant Tree Register.
Trees on private land that hold special scientific, social, historic, or aesthetic value can be registered on the Significant Tree Register to recognise the importance to Bayside's urban forest.
Significant trees can be maintained to ensure their health, promote safety and to minimise impact on adjacent structures.
Sandringham resident and retired-architect Peter Doig (pictured below) has two significant trees located on his Park Street property.
In 2019, he nominated a Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) on the fence line of his property. At the arborist inspection, a second tree, a Willow Myrtle (Agonis flexuosa), was spotted twisted around a long standing shed and is now officially significant also.
"It was very important to me that this beautiful big old pine was protected," said Peter. "We had even worked the redesign of our home, which included an extension, around preserving and observing this tree.
"The willow is from WA and could be anywhere between 70 and 120 years old. It has had a rough old life so I was absolutely delighted that Council recognised the significance of this tree and it will now be protected for future generations."
Significant trees play an integral role in providing natural beauty, a sustainable environment, health benefits and reducing climate change impacts by cooling our urban environment.
Protecting our significant trees is an action of our Urban Forest Strategy.
