Natural Heritage

Ku-ring-gai was originally settled by timber getters, orchardists and farmers and supplied much of the timber for early Sydney.  Blackbutt was used for general construction work, Sydney Blue Gum for beams, floorboards, wheel-rims and ship-building.  Red Mahogany was used for furniture and ship framing, Turpentine was used for wharves and construction work, Grey Ironbark and Red Bloodwood for fencing and Forest Oak for cabinet-making and shingles.

Following the cessation of extensive logging in the 1800s there was considerable regrowth, with a major canopy of trees re-established.  In the 1900s almost all of Ku-ring-gai was designated for residential development as opposed to commercial and industrial developments, and very few blocks of flats were permitted before 1940.  This has allowed the tree stands to recover much of their former glory.  In 1930 Ku-ring-gai Council publicised a new “commandment” – ‘Thou shalt preserve those trees’ referring to the ‘Spires that Speak to the Soul’.

More recently, however, large trees have been under a deal of pressure, from a move towards houses with larger footprints, and the State Government’s push for more medium density housing.  Attempts have been made to reverse this trend by limiting the proportion of “built upon area” a block of land may have, and ensuring that site coverage is such as to enable “deep soil plantings” such as required by large canopy trees if they are to thrive.  Keeping “built upon area” to a low proportion is also important to limiting rainwater run-off.  Together with a requirement for stormwater retention pits, that slow the run-off from heavy showers, these measures assist in preventing erosion in the watercourses leading through adjoining bush and parkland, and reducing the siltation of the harbour.

The introduction of the 10/50 clearing code allowing the removal of large trees within a 10 metre radius of a building has generated a massive reduction in tree canopy cover in Ku-ring-gai. Read More>>