Significant Tree Register

A Significant Tree Register protects the most exceptional trees in the City.

Trees have many environmental and sociocultural benefits. They can be enjoyed by current and future generations, reduce urban heat island effects, provide habitat for native fauna and are important for biodiversity.

The City's Urban Forest Strategy outlines projections and targets for the creation and enhancement of a resilient urban forest over the next 20 years. Objectives include encouraging the retention of mature trees and planting new trees.

While most trees are worthy of protection, Significant trees are trees which have exceptional characteristics that make them highly valuable and worthy of being afforded a greater level of protection under Local Planning Scheme No. 42.

The City’s review of Policy ET545 – Recognition and Protection of Significant Trees now provides for a financial incentive for property owners who successfully have a tree on their property listed onto the Significant Tree Register.

What is the Significant Tree Register?

The register is a document that lists the trees in an area which are considered to be outstanding for one or more reasons and which are therefore particularly worthy of protection. The register sets out a description of each significant tree, its location and the reason for its protection.

It protects individual or groups of trees that are highly valued in our community, outstanding and valuable. A Significant Tree meets at least one of the following categories of significance:

• scientific
• historical
• social
• aesthetic
• spiritual.

Download the latest register.

Nominate a Tree

Do you know of a tree that you think meets the criteria of a significant tree?

• Read the frequently asked questions and the Important Information for Landowners. 
• Complete the nomination form.

If you are nominating a tree on private land (someone else's property), please provide the landowner with the Important Information for Landowners and ask them to sign the nomination form.

The City will consider the trees in bulk in accordance with Recognition and Protection of Significant Trees policy and present a recommendation for Council to include the new trees that meet the criteria.

For more information, please contact the City Greening Team via parks.admin@canning.wa.gov.au or call on 1300 422 664.

Incentives

The City’s Policy has been revised to now include an opportunity for an annual payment of $200 for owners with a property zoned R2.5 and above to nominate a tree on their property. An assessment of your tree by an independent Arborist will also be provided at no cost to the owner.

Public trees may be nominated for a variety of reasons, but for an owner to qualify for the financial incentive for a tree on their property the tree must be alive, at least 8m tall, or have a canopy spread of 6 m, or a trunk circumference of 1.5m (measured 1.4m above ground), and it must not be on a recognised State or local weed list.

A significant private group of trees can receive up to twice the single-tree amount. Rural and Rural Residential properties are not eligible for the incentive payment or and arborist’s report however trees in those areas may still be nominated for consideration to be listed onto the Register.

Rural and Rural Residential Zones

Rural and Rural Residential properties in Canning Vale are ineligible for the incentive payments or an arborist’s report due to Planning requirements to retain trees in those areas. Trees may still be nominated.

To learn more about what is permitted on these properties in regard to existing trees, refer to Local Planning Scheme No. 42 (Part 4.20 Rural and Rural Residential Zones Development Requirements on pages 47-48).