Street trees
We’re working hard to increase the quantity of trees in our city and develop leafy streets and open spaces for our current and future residents.
Residents are notified if street trees are going to be planted in their street. If there isn’t already a dominant species, they'll be asked to have a say on the species selection.
There are about 300 different species of street trees growing across our City.
Easy to maintain and drought-tolerant species are selected to suit the environment they will be planted in, taking into account soil quality and availability.
Some trees are beautiful but they’re just too thirsty. Having a variety of species across the City also reduces risk as tree disease or pests may wipe out an entire species - eg Dutch Elm Disease.
Other considerations include:
- SA Power Networks guidelines to avoid issues with trees growing into wires
- neighbourhood character
- other street trees in the area – if your street has existing street trees, the same species will generally be replanted
- cost of ongoing pruning
- shading properties
- bushfire risk.
Environmental benefits
- Reducing energy costs by shading buildings and reducing the need for air conditioning in summer.
- Increased property values. It is estimated that houses in tree-lined streets are valued 30% higher than those without trees.
- Research suggests that green cities have lower health costs due to healthier residents.
- Trees also prolong the life council assets and infrastructure such as roads or footpaths by the shade they provide.
Environmental benefits
- Trees reduce urban temperatures, especially during summer. They shade streets and footpaths and their leaves reflect and absorb sunlight, minimising the heat absorbed by houses and buildings during the day.
- Expansive tree canopies and root systems help to manage stormwater flows and their heavy metal content.
- Trees do a great job of reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases. Through the process of photosynthesis, trees take up carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone from the atmosphere.
Social benefits
- The City of Tea Tree Gully is known for its green, leafy streets, parks, reserves and open spaces. Trees define our character as a city.
- Trees provide a range of everyday recreational opportunities such as organised sport, walking the dog or a family picnic.
- Established parks and streets with trees encourage the use of open spaces and healthy, connected communities.
- Green spaces are said to have a strong connection to reduced anxiety and improved wellbeing.
- Plant trees in your backyard - See the Botanic Gardens of South Australia website to find native trees suitable for your backyard.
- Mulch around trees in your backyard.
- Register to join in a community planting day.
- Request a street tree
