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What's on City of Melbourne

Exceptional Tree Register

The City of Melbourne’s Exceptional Tree Register gives you the opportunity to recognise, celebrate and protect the exceptional trees that exist on private land in our city.

The City of Melbourne’s urban forest includes around 20,000 trees in the private realm. These trees help keep our landscape resilient, our city liveable and sustainable and maintain Melbourne’s character and heritage.

The register aims to

  • Recognise and celebrate the City of Melbourne’s trees by promoting and raising awareness of existing exceptional trees.
  • Support the custodians of Melbourne’s exceptional trees by providing expert advice and opportunities to promote their tree.
  • Protect Melbourne’s exceptional trees through the Melbourne Planning Scheme so that planning permission is required to undertake any action that may harm the tree.
  • Encourage shared responsibilities for the retention and care of trees that span property boundaries.
  • Promote tree planting on private properties - trees that may become the exceptional trees of the future and increase canopy cover in our city.

What is an exceptional tree?

The following elements would be taken into consideration to classify a tree as exceptional:

  • horticultural value of the tree
  • rare species or localised
  • location or context
  • age and size
  • growth form
  • outstanding example of its species
  • aesthetic and historical value
  • habitat value
  • environmental services
  • indigenous associations
  • social, cultural or spiritual value.

Criteria for the Exceptional Tree Register

Heritage trees

Many features found in Melbourne's parks and gardens are of heritage and historical significance.

The City of Melbourne has the responsibility of ensuring that the character and appearance of historic parks, gardens, landscaping, avenues and trees is protected and enhanced.

Nominate a tree for the register

Option 1 – Apply online

  1. Fill out the online form.

Option 2 – Apply via post, email or in person

  1. Download and complete the Exceptional Tree Register nomination form.
  2. Send it:

By post:  Urban Landscapes, City of Melbourne, GPO Box 1603, Melbourne 3001

By email: melbourneurbanforest@melbourne.vic.gov.au

In person: Pick up or drop off a copy of the form to Town Hall, Council House 2, or any of the city libraries.

Further information