Planting programs and tree maintenance
Street trees are one of the City's most important assets, defining the character and enhancing liveability of our neighbourhoods. Tree lined streets increase property values, reduce cooling costs and improve the overall health of our communities.
The City plants around 10,000 new trees each year on street verges, in reserves and in natural areas through a range of planting programs.
One of these programs, The Themed Avenues Program, sees neighbourhoods transformed by planting consistent trees along verges and footpaths. The program also looks at areas where trees may be in decline, needing replacement and areas nominated by our community.
Residents who are scheduled to receive a tree on their verge this year will receive a letter from the City. If you have received a letter and would like to help plant the tree alongside your home, please contact us.
This year, the City will plant in the following locations:
- Mirrabooka
- Balga
- Carine
- Doubleview / Scarborough
- Woodlands
- Dianella
- Joondanna
Tree Planting Program map
How to use the map
- The tree planting map highlights areas that are proposed for planting across the entire City - areas are encased inside the dark green shapes.
- Zoom into the highlighted areas to take a closer look at the tree planting plans or by searching an address in the top right-hand corner.
- The legend (pictured) of the map provides a guide as to what can be found within the map
- Click on icons within the map to find out more information
- Each planting area will hold a Community Tree Planting event, look out for the meeting locations and don’t forget to register below.
To find out more, view the street tree map
Click hereThe City prunes street trees annually to lift canopy height above footpaths, maintain lines of sight for vehicles, and provide clearance from infrastructure and power lines. Trees growing under power lines are sometimes also pruned by Western Power to increase the clearance between the tree and the power lines.
Find out when your street is due for pruning by viewing the street tree pruning map below. To use, type in an address or zoom to a location and select tree icons for more information.
The City does not prune street trees for any of the following reasons:
- To reduce its size
- To reduce shade
- To reduce leaf/flower/seed drop
- To reduce birds nesting or feeding in the tree
- To improve views.
If you notice a street tree needs pruning, please submit a maintenance request and we will access the tree and prune as needed. Residents are not permitted to prune street trees.
Residents concerned about the health of a street tree should contact the City as soon as possible to request the tree is inspected using the customer general enquiry and feedback form.
Residents can help street trees to survive and thrive by:
- Giving the tree a deep watering once per week in the middle of summer
- Avoiding compaction of the trees roots by not parking on the verge.
Pruning, damaging, poisoning and removing a street tree is considered vandalism and penalties apply. If you notice vandalism of a street tree occurring, please:
- Take photographs or video footage on your mobile phone if possible
- Call City Security on 1300 365 356 if the vandalism is currently occurring
- Report the vandalism to the City via customer general enquiry and feedback form if the vandalism has already occurred.
Streets and footpaths are swept twice each year to remove leaf, flower and seed debris dropped by street trees.
Residents who believe that their street requires additional maintenance can submit a request to the City via a customer general enquiry and feedback form. An inspection will be performed and additional cleaning if appropriate.
Tree leaves contain an abundance of nutrients that are best reintegrated into the soil. If left on the ground, they will eventually break down and this applies even to Eucalypt and Brush Box leaves.
- Some options for managing leaf mulch include: Leaving them to break down on the ground
- Collecting them with a rotary mower when mowing the grass and either composting them or placing them in the green bin
- Raking them and using them to mulch garden beds, composting them, making leaf mould or putting them in the green bin
- Using them for crafts or to play
If you’d like to learn about our community planting days, free trees and plants giveaways, the City has a range of workshops, events and volunteer opportunities to help build knowledge and encourage involvement. For more information and other greening initiatives, please visit the Living Green Program.