Moreton Bay Fig, Bower Street Reserve, Manly
Iconic Tree Register
The Northern Beaches is home to many remarkable trees that contribute to the area’s natural beauty, biodiversity, history, and sense of place. As one of the greenest local government areas in Greater Sydney, our extensive tree canopy is a defining feature of the Northern Beaches. Our tree canopy plays a vital role in supporting wildlife, enhancing neighbourhood character, improving community wellbeing, and helping to create a cooler, more liveable environment.
The Iconic Tree Register recognises and celebrates significant public trees across the Northern Beaches, helping to raise awareness of their environmental, cultural and community value while supporting their protection for future generations. Community nominations are an important part of this program, providing residents with an opportunity to share stories, identify trees that hold special significance and contribute to the recognition of the trees that help make the Northern Beaches such a unique and valued place to live. By participating, the community can help ensure these exceptional public trees are celebrated and appreciated for generations to come.
Nominate an iconic tree
Most trees, including both native and exotic species, are eligible for consideration on the Iconic Tree Register. However, some weed species are not eligible, including species exempt under Council’s Preservation of Trees or Bushland Vegetation Control and those listed as NSW State priority weeds. Trees on private land are not eligible for nomination.
Nominations will be assessed quarterly against the Iconic Tree Register criteria by a panel comprising experts in biodiversity, arboriculture, heritage, and landscape architecture. Nominators will be advised of the outcome of their submission.
To establish the register, the initial intake of nominations will allow for up to 30 eligible trees to be recommended for inclusion on the Iconic Tree Register. Following this initial phase, further eligible trees will be recommended for inclusion through future assessment rounds. Following assessment of the first intake of nominations, Council will launch the official Iconic Tree Register platform. The trees accepted onto the register will be featured as the first iconic trees displayed on the interactive platform.
How iconic trees will be managed
Council will manage iconic trees in accordance with the Tree Management Policy. Public trees listed on the Iconic Tree Register will be monitored to assess their health and condition. Where required, and subject to available resources, Council will undertake appropriate measures to support their long-term health, structural integrity, and longevity.
Criteria
Public tree nominations must meet one, or more, of the following criteria:
Outstanding visual or aesthetic significance
- Outstanding for their height, trunk diameter or canopy spread.
- Occur in a very prominent location or context.
- Contribute significantly to the landscape in which they grow (including streetscapes, parks, gardens or natural landscapes).
- Exhibit an unusual growth form or physical feature, including unusually pruned forms.
- Exemplify an important and valued taste or landscape style.
Significant ecological value
- Rare, threatened or locally uncommon species or ecological community.
- Indigenous remnant trees that predate the urban development in its immediate proximity.
- Make a significant contribution to the integrity of an ecological community, including its role as a seed source or specialised habitat.
- Remnant specimen now reduced in range or abundance, which indicates the former extent of the species, or particularly range limits.
- Provide a significant habitat element for rare, threatened or locally uncommon or common native species.
Historical or commemorative significance
- Associated with public significance or important historical and commemorative events.
- Associated with a heritage listed place and representative of that same historic era.
- Are particularly old or vulnerable.
- Associated with a significant person or group of persons.
Botanic or scientific significance
- Rare or of an important genetic value that could provide important and valuable propagating stock. This could include specimens that are particularly resistant to disease or climatic extremes or have a particular growth form.
- Demonstrate a likelihood of producing information that will help the wider understanding of natural or cultural history by virtue of its use as a research site, teaching site, type locality or benchmark site.
Social significance
- Have strong or special associations with a particular community or cultural group for reasons of strong religious, spiritual, cultural or other social associations, including trees associated with aboriginal heritage and culture.
- Are important to the local community and/or are important to a community’s sense of place.
Disclaimer
The Northern Beaches Iconic Tree Register is primarily intended to recognise and celebrate trees that are valued by the community. Inclusion on the Register does not confer any statutory protection, heritage status, approval requirement, or management obligation. Some trees included on the Register may already be protected through separate heritage listings and under applicable Local Environmental Plans and Development Control Plans. Any protection afforded to those trees arises from the relevant planning or heritage controls, not from their inclusion on the Iconic Tree Register.