Published on Monday, 19 December 2022 at 12:16:30 PM
The City of Albany has made a significant contribution to its Urban Tree Inventory with the total number of trees in the inventory reaching more than 12,000 across the municipality.
As part of the City’s aim to have an urban tree network that is resilient, healthy, diverse and sustainable a yearly tree planting program is undertaken along streets and within parks.
In order to assist in this goal, residents are able to apply to the City for street trees to be planted on their verge. In 2022 a total of 112 street trees were planted as part of the City’s Street Tree program.
While the Street Tree program has closed for the 2022 season, residents are able to apply at any time for a tree to be planted on their verge in winter next year. There is a request form on the City’s website for residents to complete and send back to the City in order to process the application.
Individual tree species selection is based on a number of factors such as the longevity and viability of the species, habitat benefits for local wildlife and to align with the history and character of the location.
Different street trees are selected for different situations. For example, a small tree like the Red Flowering Gum (Baby Scarlet) will thrive under power lines. Or a Chanticleer Pear, with its upright form and dense attractive foliage is suitable for sites where lateral space may be limited.
There are also some important trees that are planted with the aim to encourage local wildlife to flourish such as Peppermint Trees, Eucalypts and Melaleucas which provide food and nectar.
Manager City Reserves Jacqui Freeman said street trees play many important roles within the local community.
“Street trees cool us down by providing shade for houses and footpaths, assist in reducing the urban heat island effect, reduce storm water run-off and capture and store carbon by removing CO2 from the atmosphere,” she said.
“There are also economic benefits such as reducing household energy use, improving street amenity and increasing property values.”
“Trees also create a sense of identity and character in our suburbs as well as improving our physical and mental wellbeing.”
Residents are able to request a free street trees at https://www.albany.wa.gov.au/services/waste-and-sustainability/request-a-street-tree.aspx
Image: (Left to Right) Nathan Mackay, Jialin Tan, Robbie Mackay and Eric the dog with their City of Albany street tree.
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