Yarra Ranges Council’s Street Tree program has continued to grow, with over 1,000 trees planted in and around Moroolbark and Kilsyth since April.
When finished, approximately 2,500 new trees will have been planted across the suburbs of Kilsyth and Mooroolbark, which is 1,000 more than last year’s program.
New street trees are established by Yarra Ranges Council Tree Management team with two years of watering and ongoing formative pruning.
Trees being planted include a diverse range of more than 40 species. These are mainly a mix of small-to-medium-sized trees that are suitable to coexist with roadside infrastructure.
Popular trees include Bottlebrush, Coastal Banksia, Cup Gum, Carob, Emu Tree, Evergreen Ash, Lightwood, and different varieties of Bottle Trees, Crepe Myrtles, and Dwarf Gums.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child expressed his enthusiasm for the street tree program, emphasizing its contribution to the local environment since its inception.
He encouraged residents to actively participate in upcoming local tree planting initiatives, especially on National Tree Day next month.
“Our Street Tree program is a yearly program and over the past three years, we have planted over 4,000 trees. By the end of this year’s program we’ll have planted 2,500 more,” Cr Child said.
“This program will not only enhance the visual appeal of our streets but also provide environmental benefits such as improving air quality, reducing heat, and providing habitat for wildlife.
“Residents can also take part in National Tree Day at the end of July and other community-led planting sessions in Yarra Ranges, which are listed on Council’s events website.”
If the street where you live is not part of this year’s Street Tree Program, you can request a new street tree for your nature strip by submitting an online request.
National Tree Day is on the last Friday and Sunday of July each year, with free plantings days being held at Everard Park, Healesville, on Sunday, 30 July, Birdsland Reserve, Belgrave Heights, on Sunday, 6 August, and Wandin Yallock Creek, Seville, on Sunday, 13 August.
For more information about the Yarra Ranges Council’s Street Tree Program, visit the Council’s website at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/StreetTreeProgram.
