Register of significant trees
The National Trust Register of Significant Trees provides a record of trees with cultural and natural heritage value in Western Australia.
Inclusion on this register has no statutory protection and does not impinge on the rights of ownership in any way. It is simply a record and recognition of significance.
The National Trust hopes that by identifying significant trees, these assets will be admired, respected, and protected well into the future.
Nominate a significant tree.
Significant Tree Committee
The National Trust’s Significant Tree Committee works to raise awareness and increase protection of significant trees throughout Western Australia. It achieves this through the maintenance of the National Trust’s Significant Tree Register, whereby nominated trees are assessed by the committee, and via community advocacy work.
Members of this technical committee comprises experts in a range of fields including arboriculture, botany, heritage conservation and environmental management.
If you believe you could be a valuable member of the Significant Tree Committee, get in touch via email to let us know of your interest heritageservices@ntwa.com.au.
Recent inclusions on the Significant Trees Register
Cable Beach Ghost Gum (Corymbia paractia)
BRO01T – Broome
C. paractia are classed as a Priority 1 species by the Department of Biodiversity, Attractions and Conservation. Priority 1 species are ‘species that are known from one or few locations (generally five or less) which are potentially at risk’. The C. paractia species is restricted to 10,000ha on the Broome Peninsula and is estimated that 1,500ha of this habitat area has already been lost. Many of the remaining trees are under threat of development as Broome continues to grow in size and population. The species is significant to the Djugun/Yawuru people who are the Traditional Owners of the land of which Broome stands. The trees, known as Gunuru, are an important calendar tree, that signify when the stingrays and sharks are fat and ready to eat. This specific tree is particularly significant because it is an outstanding example of the species due to its large size, beautiful form and well-balanced canopy. As far as can be verified it is a remnant tree that sits well in its environment and for a its age, is in outstanding health.
Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala)
NED30T – Nedlands
The seven tuart trees form part of the parkland grounds of the Graylands Hospital precinct, an important medical institution. They are in excellent condition, aesthetically pleasing, and contribute to the landscape setting of the site. One tree shows evidence of use as a fire tree, suggesting the area was likely once a camping spot for Aboriginal groups. The trees are remanent vegetation from the Tuart woodland threatened ecological community which are endemic only to the limestone belt of the Swan coastal plain. This is significant as the majority of remaining flora on the site are exotic species. The trees have historical associations with patient care at the hospital being representative of a trend in the early 20th century whereby institutions were placed on sites with a natural landscape in order to provide a restorative setting for patients recovering from mental illnesses.
Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala)
PER16T – Crawley
The fifteen tuart trees contribute to the landscape of the UWA Park Avenue site. The trees are part of the Tuart woodland threatened ecological community and are endemic only to the limestone belt of the Swan coastal plain. The trees as a stand are rare due to development pressures and urbanisation resulting in the loss of many similar large-scale tree groupings across the Perth metro area. The trees are remnant vegetation, that provide nesting spaces for native wildlife. One tree from the stand shows evidence of use as a fire tree, suggesting the area was likely once a camping area for Aboriginal groups. Furthermore, the grove of tuarts has historical associations, being the namesake for Tuart House, built on the site in 1934 as a residence for the University of Western Australia’s vice-chancellors.
Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea)
STI03T – Innaloo
This grass tree exhibits exceptional aesthetic characteristics and is likely to be one of the largest grass trees in the Perth metropolitan area. The tree features 13 heads, which is uncommon for the species and suggests several hundred years of growth. The tree also holds significance as trees of this size and shape, were not commonly retained during suburban sub-division, which would have occurred in the area during the 1950s-60s.
WA Flooded Gum (Auction Tree) (Eucalyptus rudis)
SWA13T – Guildford
The Old Auction Tree has a landmark quality, being situated on a prominent corner in Guildford and is a representative of native flora in the area prior to European settlement. The tree is likely several hundred years old and is an outstanding example of a WA flooded gum in good condition, despite significant lopping in the 1960s. The tree is associated with the operations of the Guildford Sales Yard in the late-nineteenth century, which was operated by well-known stock agent and auctioneer James Morrison, who was joint owner of the property.
WA Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus rudis)
COOR01T – Warradarge
This tree forms part of the arboreal landscape of the Stockyard Gully Reserve. Likely one of the oldest trees in the valley, the tree exhibits a curious growth form, is an outstanding example of the species and is remnant vegetation that creates a habitat for native wildlife. The tree is an important landmark, located near the entrance to Drover’s Cave. The cave was a camping spot for drovers as they were able to access fresh water which had dripped from the roof of the caves in pools below. The cave was reportedly first searched in the 1860s and then officially recorded in 1936, however was likely known by the Traditional Owners of the land long before these documented explorations.
Legal standing of the Register of Significant Trees
The Register of Significant Trees is simply the recognition of the values, it does not have a statutory role. The purpose of the Register is educational as well as being an important record of Western Australia’s heritage.
While inclusion on the Register of Significant Trees implies a level of goodwill, it does not impinge upon the rights of ownership in any way, nor does it imply right of access by the public.
Further information
Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information on the Register.