A black bean tree located in the garden of the historic National Australia Bank in Dowling Street has been accepted onto the register.

The tree, which is also known as a Moreton Bay chestnut, has been estimated at 14.5 metres in height.

Its circumference is 2.84 metres or 111 inches in imperial measurement.

Deirdre Briscombe bought the property in 1998 with her late husband John.

“The bank was selling all their properties at the time and we were looking for an old bank building to buy,” Mrs Briscombe said.

“So we had a choice of all over NSW but the building in Dungog was by far the nicest one we looked at and the town was so pretty and vibrant.

“We invited Gresford nurseryman Noel Jupp around to look at some of the trees and he commented the black bean tree was the ‘mother of all trees.

“It would have to be over 100 years old but we don’t know its age exactly.”

The tree provides plenty of shade in the garden and is also a meeting place for the black bean craft group.

The group was formed after Deirdre met Lurline Trustum who also had a common interest in textiles and embroidery.

“Gradually we met other like minded ones and around 2003 we decided to set up a group which would meet once a month in the garden under the black bean tree - weather permitting 0 or in the kitchen if it didn't,” Mrs Briscombe said.

“The original core group still comes and we have gathered a few new members along the way, but feel we are at capacity at the moment.

“We now meet twice a month - a half day early in the month to chat and stitch and a full day later in the month to try out new textile techniques.

“Each of us takes a turn in presenting the full day activities and are currently working on a joint project called 'rain forest' which should be completed early next year.”

Group member Jenny Trevethan also has an interest in trees and found out about the national register.

“I found out some information about how to measure the tree using a set formula and encouraged Deirdre to enter it,” Mrs Trevethan said.

“It’s a beautiful tree and worth being officially registered.”

In May this year coordinator of the National Register of Big Trees Derek McIntosh launched a quest to find Australia’s champion tree of every species, both indigenous and exotic.

The same universal formula is used to score the tree but the data will be recorded in both metric and imperial measure to enable comparisons to be made when viewing the American register.

For more information go to www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.co m.au