Ballarat’s Exceptional Trees

The eight-metre-tall Messmate (or Eucalyptus obliqua) is one of 15 nominations that have been received for addition to the Exceptional Tree Register. The Messmate has an unusual structure and is believed to be more than one hundred years old.  

It was nominated by a local resident, who was astonished by the tree’s growth and resilience. The tree spreads 19-metres and is a true remnant of the suburb from the last century.  

The City of Ballarat’s Exceptional Tree Register is a formal list of significant trees in Ballarat. The register helps to identify and protect exceptional trees on private and public land.  

The Exceptional Tree Register lists 4298 exceptional trees, this includes individual trees, groups of trees and avenues from across the municipality. 

This year the City of Ballarat received 15 nominations, all from community members passionate about trees. These nominations were considered against 12 selection criteria. To be an exceptional tree, it must be recognised in at least three of the criteria. 

The following are the newest additions to the Exceptional Tree Register.  

• The Ulmus x hollandica (Dutch Elm) a group of 7 trees in Britannia Reserve Ballarat East. 

• The 2 Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sierra Redwood) at Central Park, Lake Gardens.  

• The Angophora costata (Smooth Bark Apple Myrtle) at 12 Dover Street Wendouree. 

• The Populus deltoides (Cottonwood) at 5 Clissold Street Black Hill. 

• The Fraxinus excelsis ‘Aurea’ (Golden Ash) at 175 Gillies Street North. 

• The Quercus robur (English Oak) at 1712 Sturt Street Lake Wendouree. 

• The Eucalyptus obliqua (Messmate) at 128 Spencer Street Canadian.  

• The Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood) in Turner Court Brown Hill. 

The trees were assessed by qualified arborists and an expert panel reviewed and recommended these trees for inclusion in the register. 

It is the aim of the register to recognise and celebrate Ballarat’s trees by promoting and raising awareness of existing exceptional trees.  

The Exceptional Tree Register is a working document that will change to reflect the dynamic nature of our urban forest. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said the Exceptional Tree Register is a great showcase of the fantastic trees we have in Ballarat.  

“The register offers, for the first time, the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the exceptional trees that exist on private and public land in our city,” he said. 

“Every one of our trees on the Exceptional Tree Register has a story to tell and if people haven’t already, they should jump online and discover the significant trees local to them.” 

To view the Exceptional Tree Register, or nominate an outstanding tree visit the City of Ballarat website here.