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American Live Oak
General Information
- Type: Single Tree
- Latin Name: Quercus Virginiana
- Common Name: American Live Oak
- Tree Height Measurement: Measurement
- Tree Height Comment: Its canopy diameter is 22-24m
- Grouping Type: Ornamental or landscape arrangement
- Additional Description:
Listed as Item BO83 on Schedule 5 of the Shoalhaven LEP 2014.
Access to parking and Andrew Arcade.
The tree was planted by visiting dignitaries to the first School of Arts and came from a dispatchment of seedlings from the Sydney Botanic Gardens in 1900.
“Following further assessment by Ian English (arborist) the Quercus Virginiana (American Live Oak in Berry Lot 1012 DP 872963) should be upgraded from Local to State Significance on account of its rarity in the State and recent impact assessment.” (Special Development Committee – Draft LEP, 10 May 2012, p14)
Origin, Age & Condition
- Native or Exotic: Exotic
- Wild or Planted: Planted
- Age: Known
- Age: 101-150 years
- Age comment:
The tree was planted by visiting dignitaries to the first School of Arts in Berry and came from a dispatchment of seedlings from the Sydney Botanic Gardens in 1900.
- Condition: Alive (healthy/regular growth)
- Condition comment:
Tree root zone about 4m from trunk is impacted by traffic accessing parking spaces. Concrete kerb sections installed by council have been moved back to widen driveway which appears unnecessary as there is sufficient width.
- Registration date: 2025-02-24
- Latest update: 2025-02-24
Location
- Context: Other
- If other, please specify: Council owned car parking area.
- Topography: Level
- Street address line 1: 69 Princess Street Berry
- Suburb: Berry
- State: NSW
- Postcode: 2535
- Property name: Princess Street car park
- Map.Grid Datum Used: GDA94 (MGA94)
- Latitude / Longitude: -34.776324, 150.696893
- Street Address: 69 Princess St., Berry
Significance
- A. Historical and/or ecological value: Yes
- A. Level: Local
- A. Description:
This tree was planted by visiting dignitaries to the first
School of Arts and came from a dispatch of seedlings from the
Sydney Botanic Gardens in 1900. - B. Associated with an important person/group: Yes
- B. Level: Local
- B. Description:
The tree is associated with the Berry family, who developed Berry as a private township, and the surrounding Berry Estate. The tree is associated with the establishment of the Berry School of Arts, which was promoted by a group of leading early twentieth century Berry residents, seeking to advance the cultural life of the town’s population.
Construction of the School of Arts building began on 11 November 1904 on land donated by Sir John Hay (David Berry’s cousin) and was opened by Alexander Berry on 18 January 1906. - C. Aesthetic, creative or technical value: Yes
- C. Level: Local
- C. Description:
This tree has high aesthetic value, providing a wonderful and publicly accessible high and spreading mature tree canopy over the underlying car park. It reinforces the claim that Berry is the ‘Town of Trees’ and contributes to the overall character and ethos of the townscape.
- D. Community, cultural or spiritual value: No
- D. Level: Local
- E. Informational value: No
- E. Level: Local
- F. Rare or endangered: Yes
- F. Level: Local
- F. Description:
The tree is a rare specimen within the local and regional area. It is perhaps
one of the only Live Oaks (of its size) on the Southeastern coast of NSW.
Its canopy diameter (22-24m) rivals the size of the small
leaved Fig in Milton (37m).Following further assessment, Ian English (arborist) considers that “the Quercus Virginiana (American Live Oak in Berry Lot 1012 DP 872963) should be upgraded from Local to State Significance on account of its rarity in the State and recent impact assessment.” (Special Development Committee – Draft LEP, 10 May 2012, p14)
- G. Representativeness: Yes
- G. Level: Local
- G. Description:
This tree is a fine and representative example of a large and mature American Live Oak.
- Summary Statement of Significance:
This tree has outstanding aesthetic value, and provides a major contribution to the urban landscape of Berry. It is a regionally rare and mature example of its type. This tree was planted by visiting dignitaries to the first School of Arts and came from a despatch of seedlings from the Sydney Botanic Gardens in 1900.
Nominator
- Name: Catherine Barlow
- Address line 1: Details can be made available on request
- Address line 2: Details can be made available on request
- Suburb: Berry
- Postcode: Details can be made available on request
- State: Details can be made available on request
- Phone: Details can be made available on request
- Email: Details can be made available on request
Owner
- Name: Shoalhaven City Council
- State: NSW
- Consent: No
- Type of consent: Not required (Crown Land)
Supporting Information
- Files: Array
- Other register entries: Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan
- If other, please specify: Item B083 Schedule 5 of the Shoalhaven LEP 2014
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