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Are you a resident in the City of Holdfast Bay? As part of our new Adopt-a-Tree program, you can register for a new tree to be planted on your verge. All you need to do is water it!
Residents can contribute to our target to increase canopy cover from 15.3% in 2018 to 16.8% in 2030. Trees are one of our most important natural assets. There are many benefits of healthy street trees including cooler streets, reduced storm water run-off, improved air quality, noise reduction, added privacy, increased house prices, improved well-being, and habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Registration is free and open from September to February each year, with an allocation of 100 trees annually. Trees will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Once we assess the area for suitability, we will advise you of the outcome during March and April.
Adopt-a-Tree submission form
FAQs
Yes, you can still be part of the program, you just need signed approval by both the person who will be watering the new tree and the property owner before we can plant.
Yes, you can still be a part of the program, you just need signed approval by both the person who will be watering the tree and the body corporate before we can plant.
Yes, but not until the following year. We close the Adopt a Tree program at the end of February, or earlier if all 100 trees have been allocated. This allows us to organise trees and planting contractors for the planting season from May to September. The program will open again in September, so if you miss out on one year you can apply for the next. There are no waiting lists held year to year.
No. There are many factors that have to be considered when choosing a species of a street tree, such as overhead power lines, underground infrastructure, size of the nature strip, proximity to stobie poles and driveways etc. Our Senior Urban Forest Officer will match the right tree to the right location to allow the tree to thrive.
No, the tree will be planted on the verge so there's no need for anyone to be home. You will also see a yellow “T” marked on the kerb to mark the location of the tree. Planting will occur from May to September. We will not be able to provide a specific date and time that they will be on site.
Yes! Watering over summer is the core requirement of the Adopt–a-Tree program and we will ask you to sign a form committing to watering from November to April for the first 3-4 years of the new tree’s life. Don’t be put off by this though, new trees generally only require enough water to fill the water well once a week, about 2-3 buckets of water per week, unless we have a hot spell, then a little more may be required. The main thing is to keep an eye on your tree and water it regularly (and you can give it a hug too, gently!). During winter the tree should be fine with the water it gets from mother nature, however if we have an exceptionally dry spell, it may need a little top-up
We encourage residents to develop and maintain their nature strips with low plants to beautify the street. The benefits of this include:
- Providing a healthier environment for street trees
- Softening the effect of hard surfaces such as roads and footpaths
- Improving air quality
- More plants mean cooler streets
- Reducing stormwater run-off and
- Providing habitat for small creatures like bees and butterflies.
If you would like to alter the nature strip outside your property (not including the footpath or paved areas), please complete and submit a Section 221 Verge Application Form. There is no fee for this. We also provide residents with subsidies for purchasing local native plants via our Green Living program. See more information on our Verges page.
Contact
If you can't find the answer you are looking for in our Adopt-a-Tree program faqs please contact our Urban Greening Officer for more assistance on 8229 9805.