FAQs

There are many ways people can get involved;

• Apply for a free street tree
• Create a garden by bringing plants and waterwise species no matter what size your space is
• Tell your friends about the free street tree program
•  Annual Native Plants for residents - Plant giveaway event - 10 free native plants
• Join in community planting days - Upcoming events 
• Give your street tree some TLC with extra water and care

Tree species are carefully considered ensuring they are appropriate for the conditions, and that diversity and continuity in the landscape is achieved.  Streetscapes with tree lined streets of complimentary species can improve property values and create a sense of place.  As such the species for each street are selected and pre ordered each year in set quantities for each species.

Trees are typically planted centrally on the verge but we understand that people use the verge for different purposes. Get in touch with our project officer, who is more than willing to work with you to position the tree to best suit your situation in line with regulations

• Planting occurs in the cooler months each year to allow time for the trees to establish over winter
• The planting season is weather dependant but usually occurs June to late September each year
• As tree plantings may be delayed by weather or other unforeseen events, we're unable to provide an exact planting date
• Each new tree will  have a stake either side for support,  a tree guard around the base of the tree and be mulched

The City works with well established, and industry accredited tree producers to ensure species diversity and that only the healthiest and sturdiest specimens are purchased for planting. Bulk tree stock is ordered 9 – 12 months in advance and is often specifically grown for the City. Ad hoc tree stock for our Residents Requests program can be ordered as late as November in anticipation of the planting season the following year.

Each year around 400 trees are planted. We have planted more than 7,000 trees since the Urban Forest concept was put into place. 

The City's Strategy is aimed at protecting our most valued resource—trees! It will guide the establishment and ongoing maintenance of planting additional trees in the City's parks reserves and streetscapes.

New trees will be planted on verges across the City is accordance with the City’s Urban Forest Strategy. Every house verge without a suitable verge tree will be planted with one or more trees. 

Street tree planting locations depend on road classifications, services and other statutory restrictions. Areas with powerlines will be allocated a specific species to ensure compliance with Western Power requirements.

Planting additional trees in streetscapes will provide an increase in canopy cover throughout the City. Urban infill development is placing considerable pressure on existing street trees; the Program will help develop solutions to slow down canopy loss and increase the number of trees we have in the City.

Street trees enhance the streetscape and provide a wide range of benefits to the community including environmental, health, economic and social.

The City is responsible for planting, staking, mulching, fertilising and watering for two summer seasons, until the tree is established.

The City is actively expanding its Urban Forest and planting trees is one way to do this. We get it that people use their verges in various ways,get in touch with our project to see if we can work anything out.

You can provide additional weekly watering during the summer months – this will reduce heat stress and ensure water is reaching the roots.

If you are concerned about the health of a tree or are aware of any vandalism/damage report it immediately to the City.

In order to determine appropriate tree species suitable for each location the City assessed the site conditions such as soil, exposure, weather conditions including orientation, infrastructure and services. The appropriate tree species selection will ensure the healthy successful development and longevity of the City’s Urban Forest.

Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) is a beetle native to Southeast Asia. The beetles attack a wide range of plants by tunnelling into trunks, stems and branches. PSHB has a symbiotic relationship with a Fusarium fungus, cultivating it inside the tree as a food source.

 In susceptible trees, the fungus kills vascular tissue causing Fusarium dieback and tree death. Establishment of this pest in WA may have significant impact on amenity trees, native vegetation, and the fruit and nut tree industries. 

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is working with the community, industry and State and Commonwealth Governments to minimise the impact of this pest.

Polyphagous shot-hole borer

You can request a free street for your verge simply by applying for a tree - Resident Request for a Free Street Tree

When assessing the suitability of locations for planting new street trees, arborists take a number of factors into consideration to ensure that trees will thrive and grow.   

The rule of thumb is that they need to ensure that new trees are not planted any closer than 3m from a driveway, 6m from a corner plot or 1.5m from the kerb.

Other factors include existing underground services that will be compromised by digging or tree roots, planting on a corner or driveway that may block line of sight, a nearby home has solar panels that will be shaded, or existing vegetation is present.