Arbor Day is 5 June. Christchurch City values its trees and the City Plan protects more than 1800 heritage and notable trees, while more than 1500 trees are protected as conditions of land development.

Heritage trees have a wider significance which makes them outstanding or unique and notable trees are important to neighbourhoods.

The Council has marked most protected trees in the city with an orange and black symbol (a circled X), usually around eye level. Landowners need to be wary, however, because not all protected trees have labels. Some have been removed. Owners should check the status of all trees before work is commenced on any site, whether they are labelled or not.

Trees can be selected and listed for one or more of the following reasons — a tree may be protected because of a combination of these factors or because it is outstanding in one respect:

• Historic, scientific or botanical value
• Importance of position in the landscape
• Cultural, social, spiritual, recreational value
• Size or age, form and condition
• Suitability in relation to setting
• Functional value (eg soil stabilization, noise reduction or screening)

The Council has qualified and experienced arborists who can give free advice on tree-related matters.

For more information, call City Arborist Walter Fielding Cotterell on 941 8630.