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Exceptional Tree Register criteria

Criteria for determining exceptional trees in the City of Melbourne were informed by the city’s urban forest vision and also based on criteria used by a number of organisations, including: the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) criteria for identification and classification of significant trees in Victoria; Heritage Victoria criteria for Assessment of Cultural Heritage Significance; the Australian International Charter for the Conservation of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Burra Charter criteria.

Please refer to the eligibility map below for exceptional tree location guidelines.

Exceptional Tree Register Eligibility map (PDF, 664kb) This link opens in a new browser window

Criteria   Description   Examples (but not limited to)
Horticultural value  Any tree that is of outstanding horticultural or genetic value and could be an important source of propagating stock, including specimens that are particularly resistant to disease or exposure.  - Tolerance selection (pest and disease)
- Propagating potential
- Scientific value.
Rare or localised  Any tree species or variety that is rare or very localised in distribution, enhancing the diversification of the local urban forest.  - Only known species
- Rare species (two to 50 known specimens)
- End of natural range
- Disjunct community
- One of few examples of the family / genus / species in precinct.
Location or context  Any tree that occurs in a unique location or context so as to provide a major contribution to the landscape and / or local place character.  - Important landmark
- Contribution to landscape (high visibility of tree, presence on a ridgeline, screening function).
- Remnant native vegetation
- End of natural range
- Historic planting style.
 Particularly old Any tree that is particularly old or venerable. - Old specimen (healthy/not in rapid or advanced decline).
Outstanding size Any tree outstanding in size of some capacity.  - Height
- Circumference
- Canopy Spread
- Combinations of above. 
 Curious growth form Any tree that exhibits a curious growth form or physical feature.  - Curious growth form
- Abnormal outgrowths
- Fusion of branches
- Unusually pruned
- Unusually damaged (but healthy).
Outstanding example of species Any tree that is an outstanding example of its species. - Form and vigour reflecting an outstanding specimen of its species
- A well established individual of the species of that age in the City of Melbourne that council wants to preserve.
Aesthetic value Any tree of outstanding aesthetic significance. - Prolific flowering
- Beautiful leaves
- Exceptional greening.
Historical value Any tree commemorating a particular occasion, including plantings by notable people, or having associations with an important event in local, state or national history. - Well known public figure or group
- Historical occasion or event.
Outstanding habitat value Any tree that has outstanding value as habitat for indigenous wildlife. - Breeding habitat
- Roosting site
- Foraging habitat
- Wildlife corridor
- Refugia.
Environmental / Micro-climate services Any tree that provides a significant positive modification to the local micro-climate. - Providing significant shade or cooling
- Providing green in a ‘grey’ area
- Halting or stabilising environmental degradation processes such as soil erosion, salinity, water table depth
- Providing a wind break to the public realm
- Linking canopy cover with other green areas or trees.
Aboriginal association Any tree that has a recognised association with aboriginal people, or that is valued for continuing and developing cultural traditions. - Scarred tree
- Corroboree tree
- Canoe tree.
Social, cultural or spiritual value Any tree that is important to a community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. - Positive community engagement focussed around engagement with the tree
- Community sharing of harvest of food tree
- Cultural association and sense of place linked to particular tree
- Spiritual importance to a group of people.