Street Tree Planting

Wyndham is recognised as having one of the lowest tree populations out of all Victorian municipalities. This also means the lowest amount of shade or ‘canopy cover’.

Climate change is the greatest threat to the future of human civilisation. In 2019, the average state and national temperatures were already 1.05 and 1.52 degrees higher than normal respectively. Australia is today experiencing increased heatwaves, reduced rainfall, more intense storm events, and worsening bushfire seasons.

Heatwaves cause more deaths in Australia than the sum of deaths from all other natural disasters combined. Projections indicate that, barring significant global emission reductions, the annual number of days above 35°C is likely to increase from the nine days currently experienced in Melbourne to up to 21 days by 2070. Maximum temperatures are also forecast to increase. A recent study conducted by Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) indicates that by 2100, in a worst-case scenario, maximum summer temperatures could increase by up to 5.3 degrees.

Whilst heatwaves can affect anybody, demographics show that some vulnerable segments of the population in Melbourne’s west are at high risk, with large proportions of very young (0-4 years old), older people (65+), as well as a high percentage of people with disabilities. 

Urban Heat Islands: Adding to the impact of heatwaves and increased average temperatures is the increasing urbanisation of Melbourne, which creates large numbers of hard surfaces in the form of buildings, roads and car parks. These hard surfaces generate artificial warmth, so-called urban heat islands (UHI), resulting in Melbourne’s urban areas having much higher temperatures than their rural surroundings. Melbourne’s west has a large percentage of hot spots that are more than 10°C warmer than non-urban conditions. Such heat islands can rapidly lead to tangible health impacts; Monash University research has shown that maximum temperatures need only exceed 29°C for heat-related death and illnesses to increase in people over 64 years of age.

Cooler local temperatures: Trees and vegetation provide a cooling effect by shading and evaporative cooling of the air. Whilst the benefits of shading are obvious, the value of evaporative cooling is not as widely known. It is achieved through evapotranspiration, the evaporation of water from within leaves. This is a very cost and energy efficient way to regulate outdoor air temperature and can provide significant relief to people during heatwaves.

Many areas within Wyndham are at risk during extreme heat events due to the lack of tree cover combined with the presence of many built surfaces (concrete, asphalt etc.).

The Street Tree Planting Program is intended to make Wyndham a more liveable city by keeping temperatures down, providing clean air and enhancing the beauty of our streets.

Aside from providing much needed shade and the associated cooling effects, you may be surprised by some of the other benefits that trees provide:

Cleaner air: Trees and vegetation in our streets absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, providing cleaner air to breathe as well as combating climate change. The presence of trees can significantly reduce street-level concentrations of pollutants by as much as 40% for nitrogen dioxide and 60% for particulate matter.

Higher property values and retail expenditure:

The green attractiveness of an area has significant impacts on the value of real estate. One study saw an investment in street trees increase the value of adjacent houses by 9 per cent. Similarly, consumers have been found to be willing to pay 12 per cent more in retail precincts with more street trees.

Reduced energy costs: Recent increases in residential electricity prices are largely due to investments made to cope with increased peak demand, and studies show that urban greening can reduce the load on utilities by lowering temperatures between 6 and 12 degrees. Urban greening can have significant effects on temperatures and energy use throughout a city, and local effects can be very drastic, with major savings on electricity as well as added protection of critical infrastructure from UV damage, thermal expansion and melting.

Increased vegetation for habitat: Many flora and fauna species in the west have been lost or are threatened due to urban growth and roadways, and whole ecosystems have been destroyed or fragmented. Planting native and indigenous species can improve natural habitat, promote biodiversity and create the migration corridors necessary to ensure the health of existing wildlife populations.

Urban greening for physical and mental health: Mental illness is Australia’s leading cause of nonfatal illness. One in three Australians will suffer from depression or an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Such conditions can be extremely debilitating and impact on a sufferer’s ability to engage with others, maintain steady employment and live a healthy, productive life.

A 2010 Beyond Blue research report investigating the benefits of contact with nature for mental health and wellbeing described a range of psychological benefits for people who visit green, open spaces, including:

• improvements in mood;
• lower levels of anxiety;
• lower levels of stress;
• lower levels of depression; and
• increased physical activity.

Council selects tree species that; have been shown to perform well in streets settings, are suitable for our unique soil and weather conditions and contribute to the environment and beauty of our city, with consideration to the below:

• Neighbourhood character (existing street tree species)
• The ability of the new tree to survive and adapt to climatic changes in the local environment
• The available planting space (nature strip size, road signs, light poles)
• Above and below ground services (power lines, electricity, gas, water, etc)

• Acacia implexa
• Acacia pendula
• Agonis flexuosa
• Allocasuarina verticillata
• Angophora costata
• Angophora hispida
• Arbutus unedo
• Auracaria heterophylla
• Banksia integrifolia
• Banksia marginata
• Brachychiton aceriffolius
• Callistemon 'Kings Park Special'
• Callistemon salignus
• Callistemon viminalis
• Celtis australis
• Cercis siliquastrum
• Corymbia citriodora
• Corymbia eximia "Nana'
• Corymbia ficifolia
• Corymbia maculate
• Cupaniopsis anacardiodes
• Eucalyptus albens
• Eucalyptus bauerian
• Eucalyptus camaldulensis
• Eucalyptus cladocalyx
• Eucalyptus forrestiana subsp.
• Eucalyptus leucoxylon
• Eucalyptus manifera
• Eucalyptus melliodora
• Eucalyptus occidentalis
• Eucalyptus polyanthemos
• Eucalyptus sideroxylon
• Eucalyptus torquata
• Ficus macrophylla
• Fraxinus pennsylvannica
• Geijera parvifolia
• Gingko biloba
• Gleditsia triacanthos
• Hakea buccelenta
• Hakea laurina
• Hymenosporum flavum
• Jacaranda mimosifolia
• Koelreutaria paniculata
• Lagerstroemia indic
• Lophostemon confertus
• Malus ioensis 'Plena'
• Melia azedarach Eli
• Olea europaea
• Pistacia chinensis
• Platanus x acerifol
• Prunus x blireana
• Pyrus calleryana
• Quercus cerris
• Quercus coccinea
• Schinus areira
• Ulmus parvifolia

Council provides all newly planted trees with regular watering and maintenance. The trees are planted with stakes and water wells to support their establishment which are then removed after approximately two years. Wyndham can be a tough place for a recently planted tree to thrive, especially in the warmer months of the year. The tree’s health and performance will be greatly improved by receiving one deep watering each week during periods of low rainfall. We ask for you to please consider this if you have the capacity.

Tips for caring for a new tree:

• Water regularly during dry periods, at least two buckets of water every week.
• Leave the stakes and water well in place
• Do not place grass or mulch at the base of the tree trunk (this will cause collar rot to occur)
• Do not prune or transplant the tree

Council aims to have 100% of suitable nature strips planted with a tree. Most nature strips be able to accommodate at least one tree.

Additional trees may be planted where space is available to do so.

The vandalism or removal of Council assets, including street trees, without Council approval, is an offence under Clause 14 of the Community Amenity Local Law (2015).  Where Council finds that a person has breached this local law, an infringement notice carrying a penalty of $200 per tree may be issued.  Council may also recover the costs associated with the replacement or repair of Council’s assets. 

Please report tree vandalism to Wyndham City Council on 1300 023 411.

Can I object to a tree being planted?

Council will consider any feedback provided in relation to new street tree plantings, however, please note that the Street Tree Planting Program is supported by targets set out in the City Forest and Habitat Strategy and Resilient Wyndham 2021 – 2025. In order to achieve these targets and for all Wyndham residents to enjoy the benefits that trees provide, Council aims to plant one or more tree on each suitable nature strip.

Can I object to the tree if it has already been planted?

New street trees are being planted in accordance with Wyndham’s City Forest and Habitat Strategy (2017 – 2040) and are an asset to our city. In order to provide suitable protection of trees, council refers to the Tree and Urban Forest Policy (2019) for the management of trees. Trees will not be removed because of reasons including (but not limited to):

• Personal preference;
• Perceived nuisance (e.g. leaf litter);
• Limbs extending over private property;
• A desire for parking space;
• Allergies, unless medical advice from a medical specialist in the field of allergies is provided, demonstrating the tree significantly diminishes the quality of life and there is no other way of managing the problem; or
• Fauna living in trees

If you are concerned that a tree has not been planted according to Councils specification, please contact the Customer Service Centre on 1300 023 411.

Why do we need more trees on nature strips?

Wyndham has been identified as having one of the lowest tree cover rates in Victoria. With less than 8% tree canopy cover (Wyndham Canopy Cover and Landscape Report 2017), our city is vulnerable to increased temperatures, increased energy costs, windy weather conditions, limited wildlife habitat and many other environmental impacts. Trees provide many benefits to the community and environment, such as:

• Reducing energy costs for households by providing shade to homes
• Providing shade for roads, homes and pathways which makes our city more liveable
• Improving the look of the street (research has shown that more trees in a street can increase property value and reduce crime rates!)
• Improving the health and wellbeing of residents by providing green spaces
• Providing clean air by filtering pollutants
• Providing habitat corridors for wildlife and support for Wyndham’s ecosystems

When will my tree be planted?

Council’s contractors plant the trees between April and August, when the weather is cooler and there is enough rain to ensure the new tree gets off to the best start. Because this enormous task is carried by contractors who manage the logistics of the plantings, we cannot provide the dates of when each tree will be planted.

I don’t like the species chosen for my address. Can I request a different species?

Council will consider all requests and may be able to find a suitable substitute, this is dependent on the existing streetscape and available stock. You can provide feedback by calling our customer service team on 1300 023 411. Feedback must be made before November 30th as this is when the trees are ordered from the nursery. No changes can be made after this time.

Can I request a fruit tree?

Fruit trees are not included in our list of approved tree species for street tree planting as they require higher levels of care and maintenance and can be problematic when fruit drops onto pathways or roads.

I’m happy to care for the tree, how can I help?

In addition to Council’s care of street trees, we encourage you to care for a new street tree by:

• Watering it regularly, at least two buckets of water every week during dry weather
• Leave the stakes and water well in place
• Not placing grass or mulch at the base of the tree trunk (this will cause collar rot to occur)
• Not pruning, removing or transplanting the tree
• Not damaging the tree with vehicles or by any other means (Council local laws prohibit intentional tree vandalism)

Falling leaves make a mess. How can I dispose of leaf litter?

It is natural for trees to lose leaves. There are many ways you can dispose of them. Fallen leaves can be used on garden beds as mulch or added to the compost. Alternatively, you can request a Green Bin or use one of your three free hard and green waste collections.

Can I object to the tree planting?

Council provides notifications to residents where a tree is being planting in the nature strip, adjacent to their residence. All feedback will be considered during the feedback period before the trees are ordered from the nursery. However, once a tree has been planted, it will not be removed or changed for a different species.