Reserve Tree Planting
We are planting on reserves that will support and benefit from additional trees and tree cover. Planting trees on reserves supports our Tree Canopy Improvement Strategy 2021 - 2045. To meet our tree canopy targets, we aim to plant 600 trees on our reserves, per annum.
Planting Process
We may select up to 4 or 5 tree species for planting on a reserve, chosen for their biodiversity and canopy coverage benefits but also considering the reserve environment, available space and existing assets or infrastructure on the site.
Please be aware that as part of the reserve planting process, selected trees and shrubs that are in declining health (dead/dying) or are in poor structural condition will be scheduled for removal prior to any new planting.
Planting will take between 1 to 2 weeks to complete from the day removals and/or planting is started, up to a maximum of 3 weeks to complete. There should be no access restrictions at any of the reserves, though our trucks and staff will be onsite at the reserve in the area of planting, during the works.
We prune newly planted reserve trees once per year during the tree’s formative years to ensure the tree grows in a certain shape. For established reserve trees, we don’t have a formal maintenance program. This is because our Parks staff attend our reserves approximately once every month to conduct regular maintenance approximately once every month. When they are onsite, they attend to irrigation, turf and tree maintenance, including re-staking, re-tying, and/or replacing any vandalised or damaged trees young trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can submit a Tree Maintenance/Care request and staff will schedule inspection of the tree to determine if pruning is warranted. Please note that we will not prune a reserve tree that is not deemed to be overhanging into private property due to tree mess such as leaf fall.
Yes, we may remove trees on reserves. We typically remove trees from a reserve environment where they are dead, dying, diseased, are of poor health or growth, or pose a safety risk.
In some cases, a tree may be scheduled for removal if its not performing well or is not reasonably contributing to improved tree canopy cover (eg it's stunted). In these situations, the tree will be assessed by qualified staff for an informed assessment. Other times, trees may need to be removed for strategic purposes, although we make every effort to retain existing trees and work around them wherever possible.
We try to replace any trees that are removed on reserves wherever possible.
Yes, you can. Every year, we identify several reserves across the City that might benefit from additional tree planting and natural shade. We appreciate hearing from residents if their local reserve might be suitable for more tree planting.
Complete the New Tree Planting request form to suggest a reserve. We will assess the reserve for suitability and will prioritise planting activity in hotter and under planted areas, but all requests will be considered for current or future planting years.