Stands of remnant trees are important for conservation of biodiversity in the Urban District of Hornsby Shire. Particularly important are the stands of Blue Gum Shale Forest, Blue Gum Diatreme Forest and Turpentine-Ironbark Forest trees, because even in the absence of a native understorey, these are recognised as critically endangered or endangered communities under the NSW legislation (but not under the Commonwealth legislation).

Two separate studies of remnant trees were carried out - the urban district and the southern rural district.

For the urban district, a total of 569 stands of remnant trees were mapped, ranging in size up to about 2.9 ha, although predominantly less than 1 ha. The total area of the stands was about 130 ha in March 2007. The stands are remnants of 15 different native vegetation communities. Three of the communities are listed as critically endangered under either Commonwealth or NSW legislation; four others are listed as endangered; one is considered significant at regional level (Sydney region); and two are considered locally significant (Hornsby Shire).

For the southern rural district, A total of 866 stands of remnant trees were mapped, ranging in size up to about 6 ha. The total area of the stands was 408.8 ha in March 2007. The stands are remnants of 14 different native vegetation communities. Two of the communities are listed as critically endangered under Commonwealth legislation; three others are listed as endangered under NSW legislation; two others are considered significant at regional level around Sydney; and two others are considered locally significant in Hornsby Shire. Two of the communities (Shale Gravel Transition Forest and Angophora-Red Mahogany Forest) appear to be represented in Hornsby Shire only by remnant trees; these communities have not been recorded in the bushland areas of Hornsby Shire. VIS_ID 4472.

Please note the related datasets: 1. Hornsby Local Government Area Threatened Ecological Communities, 2008. VIS_ID 4470 2. Hornsby Local Government Area Vegetation Communities, 2008. VIS_ID 4471