Strategic planting of trees

Media Statement Nerina Di Lorenzo, Director City Infrastructure
Thursday 25 November 2010, Moreland City Council

When planting trees Council considers a number of factors including the location and its proximity to services, assets and how trees might affect public safety.

Council also considers environmental factors such as the type of tree species and how a particular species will co-exist with the surrounding environment. Council looks at functional characteristics of the tree (eg. leaf litter, fruit litter, roots that damage footpaths or houses, limb dropping tendencies, and how big a tree will grow to) and streetscape character (such as having a consistent species in a street).

If a resident would like a tree planted in their nature strip, the best thing for them to do is contact Council to discuss and for Council arborists to make an assessment and arrange tree planting.

In cases where residents plant a tree that is inappropriate, Council will ask a resident to remove the tree if it is still a seedling or a juvenile.

Council deals with all established trees in the same manner regardless of who planted them, removing them only if they pose significant issues to health and safety.

All this information can be found in the in Council’s Street Landscape Strategy which is formed following community consultation and input.

Council will be reviewing its current Street Landscape Strategy shortly, so this will provide and opportune time to engage in discussion about the principles that should underpin this strategy.