Approximately 1200 trees are set to be planted in the Greater Shepparton City region, as the Council begins its annual tree planting to boost green canopy cover.
The project will support Council’s Urban Forest Strategy and Street Tree Renewal programs.
The goal of the Urban Forest Strategy tree planting program is to increase green canopy cover in public urban areas to 40 per cent by 2037.
In 2022, roughly 1200 advanced trees are set to be planted in nature strips between June and September,with 5420 trees planted in Shepparton, Mooroopna, Tatura, Dookie, Murchison, Kialla and Toolamba since the strategy was adopted in 2017.
The trees are specially grown and selected to suit the city’s local climate. Some are chosen specifically for planting under power lines so they do not cause maintenance issues once full grown.
Council will undertake extensive monitoring of new trees for the first two years with watering and maintenance, by which stage they are usually well established – however residents are encouraged to water trees if needed, particularly in the summer months.
Council’s Director Infrastructure, Gary Randhawa, said the trees provide significant economic, social, environmental, ecological and aesthetic benefits to communities.
“In addition to the health benefits associated with making our streets a more appealing and enjoyable place to be, increasing the green canopy is one of the most cost effective and efficient public assets for adapting urban areas to climate change,” Mr Randhawa said.
Images courtesy of Greater Shepparton Council.
