Urban Forest Strategy on track to reach targets

News Update 10 September 2019

The City is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and green spaces and in 2018 developed its Urban Forest Strategy to ensure we manage the challenges that affect our urban forest, and do all we can to preserve and increase tree canopy on private and public land.

One year from implementation, the City is tracking well against the goals set out in the Strategy. With current canopy coverage greater than targeted, planting of street trees and trees in parks and reserves are well on target. Five new tree species were introduced in 2018 with an additional two so far in 2019.

Street trees

Year-round, you can request your own street tree or trees, which are planted from July to the end of September – so now is a great time to contact us.

City officers determine the species best suited to your street and verge, and will water the new plants for the first two summers to help them become established.

The City has created a postcard to guide residents on how to care for their new street tree to ensure a high standard of care for the new planting – look out for it in your letterbox if a new tree is planted on your verge.

Request a street tree online via the City’s Report It service reportit.southperth.wa.gov.au or email enquiries@southperth.wa.gov.au.

Trees of special significance

Many areas in the City are experiencing a significant loss of trees on private properties, which is reducing the City’s overall tree canopy cover, so it is critical to preserve them when possible.

If there’s a tree on your property with special meaning to you, provided it meets specific criteria you can register it with the City to ensure it is preserved .

Once given a Tree Preservation Order, the tree cannot be removed, pruned or maintained without written permission from the City. Details of the tree will appear on your property’s title so future buyers are aware of it and their obligations.

Details of Trees of Special Significance and the form to register a significant tree can be found on the City’s website.