Join the conversation about Melbourne's Urban Forest

We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions about the development of the City of Melbourne's Urban Forest.

The City's Urban Forest Strategy provides a robust framework for the evolution and longevity of our urban forest but what will that look like at an individual street level? Join the conversation to influence the plan for your neighbourhood's trees. In 2013, we are developing the plans for the urban forest in Carlton, East Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

Join the conversation online through this forum.

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Share your throughts on the CBD's street trees

Comments 21

Work is underway to develop an Urban Forest Precinct Plan for the CBD. All comments made on this online forum will be considered as contributions towards the development for the plan for the CBD.

The CBD has a population of approximately 2,440 trees. In streets, the dominant trees are planes (74%), gums (7%) and waterhouseas (6%). Canopy cover in public streets and parks is 20% making it the fifth for canopy cover among Melbourne precincts.

By 2040, approximately 1,900 of the CBD’s trees will be gone because they have reached the end of their useful life expectancy. Approximately 90% of surfaces are hard and impermeable to water. Limited life expectancy, ongoing development, population growth and diversity challenges for our urban forest will factor heavily in the development of the CBD's Urban Forest Precinct Plan.

by Urban Forest Team 4 Feb 2013, 4:03pm | 433 views

Share your thoughts on South Yarra's street trees

Comments 14

Work is underway to develop an Urban Forest Precinct Plan for South Yarra. All comments made on this online forum will be considered as contributions towards the development for the plan for South Yarra.

South Yarra has a population of approximately 5,812 trees. In streets, the dominant trees are elms, planes and gums. Canopy cover in public streets and parks is 36% making it highest among Melbourne precincts.

However, by 2040, approximately 3,090 of South Yarra’s trees will be gone because they have reached the end of their useful life expectancy. Approximately 40% of surfaces are hard and impermeable to water. Limited life expecancy and low diversity challenges for our urban forest will factor heavily in the development of South Yarra's Urban Forest Precinct Plan.

How do you think we need to green South Yarra?

by Urban Forest Team 4 Feb 2013, 4:03pm | 350 views

Share your thoughts about Carlton's street trees

Comments 13

Work is underway to develop an Urban Forest Precinct Plan for Carlton. All comments made on this online forum will be considered as contributions towards the development for the plan for Carlton.

Read the report about Carlton's Urban Forest consultation to date and add your ideas for greening Carlton on this forum.

Some Key Findings of Consultation to March 2013

Desired future states include:

High canopy cover that provides shade and dappled light
Visual diversity in terms of colour, shape, seasonal change and contrasts, and understorey planting
Use of both native and exotic species in the right locations to deliver the benefits that different trees provide
Species selection that results in mature trees that are in scale and harmony with the streetscape and its uses
A healthy, lush and vigorous urban forest of big, beautiful, green trees

Important services for the urban forest to provide:

Shade
Biodiversity
Water capture and storage
Economic benefits to small business
Psychological benefits (e.g., sense of calm, soothing etc.)
Food production
Aesthetic beauty
Opportunities for play

by Urban Forest Team 4 Feb 2013, 4:00pm | 353 views

Share your thoughts on East Melbourne's street trees

Comments 5

Work is underway to develop an Urban Forest Precinct Plan for East Melbourne. All comments made on this online forum will be considered as contributions towards the development for the plan for East Melbourne.

East Melbourne has a population of approximately 4,895 trees. In streets, the dominant trees are elms, maples and planes. Canopy cover in public streets and parks is 33% making it second among Melbourne precincts.

However, by 2040, approximately 2,070 of East Melbourne’s trees will be gone because they have reached the end of their useful life expectancy. Approximately 55% of surfaces are hard and impermeable to water. Limited life expectancy and diversity challenges for our urban forest will factor heavily in the development of East Melbourne's Urban Forest Precinct Plan. For more information, review East Melbourne's infographic.

How do you think we need to green East Melbourne?

by Urban Forest Team 4 Feb 2013, 4:02pm | 205 views