Urban Forest Planting Program

Urban Forest Planting Program

What is an urban forest? Put simply, it is a population of trees and vegetation growing within an urban or peri-urban area or setting. A healthy urban forest improves the livability of an urban space for the whole community.

Our Urban Forest Strategy was endorsed by Council in 2014, with one of the main objectives being to increase the City’s green canopy. As a part of the Strategy, the City plants a number of trees within parks, road reserves and on verges adjacent to residential properties.

Establishing trees in residential streets is an essential part of expanding the current canopy cover and offers residents many benefits, such as:

Environmental

Reduces heat island effect, improves air and water quality, controls and filters stormwater, reduces soil erosion, creates a windbreak, sequesters carbon, provides habitat and food sources for animals and insects, supports local ecology and biodiversity.

Health

Encourages engagement with nature and community, improves health and wellbeing, has a positive effect on mental health, cools surroundings and protects from extreme weather events.

Social

Creates a sense of place, increases space for leisure and relaxation, improves connection to country, improves cultural identity, boosts both Aboriginal and European heritage.

Economic

Pleasing aesthetics, increases desirability of location, increase in property values, reduces energy & water consumption, increases longevity of infrastructure.

What are we doing 2024?

Each year the City plans and plants an average of 400 trees on verges adjoining residential properties. Areas that lack tree cover or record higher than average land surface temperatures nearby are prioritised, being the most likely to be impacted by the Heat Island Effect (see the video on this page - sidebar)

Select locations in the following suburbs will receive a letter in March 2024 notifying residents of upcoming plantings;

• Armadale
• Brookdale
• Piara Waters
• Harrisdale
• Seville Grove

Tree Data Collection

Building and maintaining our Citys urban forest is an ongoing challenge. Tree canopy can be lost via development, pest & disease attack and changing weather patterns. Over the next six months, consultants working for the City will be conducting a comprehensive street tree audit. The primary objective of this audit is to collect data on Council's street trees. This will establish a clear understanding of what tree assets the City has to date and help us make informed decisions for the future.

Do you want to see how the City of Armadale compares to similar places across Australia, and how we've improved our green cover in recent years? Check out Greener Spaces, Better Places for more information, and some interesting facts and figures.

I didn't receive a letter and I would like a tree

The City of Armadale will supply and plant a street tree free of charge to any property owner without a verge tree. All you have to do is water the tree during the first three years until it is established.

How do I Apply?

Applying to participate in the Resident Tree Planting Program is easy! Simply complete the expression of interest form