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Street trees

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.

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    Benefits of street trees

    Street trees are important for a number of reasons, they also come with a number of benefits: 

    • Creating shade for pedestrians and pets
    • Providing habitat for birds and other wildlife
    • Improving the appearance of or streets
    • Presence of trees on verges increase property values in Perth by $16,889 on average
    • Reducing heating and cooling costs by 12 to 15% per year
    • Street trees are estimated to cover 3.4% (3.57 km2) of the City area and provide 12.65 km2 of leaf area. This is equivalent to more than 15,800,000 beach umbrellas.

    Discover more with the Street Tree Activity Book

      Street tree pruning

      The 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.

      View the street tree pruning map

      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 feel a street tree requires pruning, the City can assist you with this by assessing the tree and pruning as required - submit a maintenance request for further assistance. Residents are not permitted to prune street trees.

      Need to submit a maintenance request?
      Click here

      How many trees does the City plant?

      There are almost 100,000 street trees across the City and our verges have room for about 100,000 more.

      The City plants on average 5,000 new street trees each year through a range of programs. By 2035 our verges will be full and there will be at least one tree on each and every verge in the City.

      Find out more about the City's tree planting initiatives here.

      What should I do if I am concerned about the health of a tree?

      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.

        How do I report vandalism?

        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.

        How streets and footpaths cleaned?

        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.

        What will we do with all the fallen leaves?

        Tree leaves are not litter: they contain an abundance of nutrients that are best reintegrated into the soil. If left on the ground, they will eventually break down. This applies even to Eucalypt and Brush Box leaves.

        Therefore, what to do with fallen leaves is a personal choice. Some options are:

        • 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 request a street tree, street tree pruning or report an issue with an existing street tree, please phone our Customer Contact Centre or submit a customer general enquiry and feedback form.

        Related information

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        Contact us

        Telephone (08) 9205 8555

        Get In Touch Customer Enquiry Form

        24 Hour Security Patrol 1300 365 356

        Administration Centre
        25 Cedric Street, Stirling WA 6021
        Mon - Fri 8.30am - 5.00pm

         

        City of Stirling kaadatj Nyoongar moort Nyoongar boodja-k Wadjak boodja-k. Ngalak kaadatj Nyoongar nedingar wer birdiya koora koora wer yeyi. Baalabang koondarm, malayin wer nakolak baalap yang ngalany-al. Ngalak dandjoo barn wer kaaratj bandang boodja-k.

        The City of Stirling acknowledges the traditional custodians of this land, the Wadjak people of the Nyoongar Nation, and pays respect to the Elders both past and present for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal Australia.

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