Efficient and effective management-planning of street trees by Local Government is now possible through an assessment program devised by Rural Solutions SA consultants.

Whyalla City Council recently utilised the Rural Solutions SA environmental team to map all of the city’s street trees, assess their heath and priorities any work required. 

This is set to streamline and focus the management of their street trees, in addition to providing a tool for use to track and prioritise works for years to come.

Detailed maps highlighting priority management areas and supportive information have been provided to the council, giving them a detailed breakdown of the amounts of trees requiring work and the type of work required.

Caption
Geoffrey Bishop assessing tree health

A list of recommended tree species for planting in Whyalla, taking into consideration the future predicted drier climate with higher intensity and more frequent storm events, has been provided to ensure the longevity of future plantings.

Rural Solutions SA Environmental Consultant, Olivia Tell said that properly managed, the correct species of tree has many benefits for communities, including:

• Cooler communities, providing shade;
• Lower electricity usage reducing costs and emissions;
• Attractive neighbourhoods;
• Increasing property value;
• Increasing capture of stormwater runoff;
• Improving local air quality;
• Carbon sequestration;
• Providing habitat for birds and other fauna.

Poor species choice and tree management could be a disaster for councils, with problems encountered including:

• Roots damaging roads and footpaths;
• Falling limbs, damaging property and persons;
• Tree sap staining car paintwork;
• Trees dying due to inability to cope with the changing climates or drier conditions;
• Water restrictions limiting ability to care for trees;
• Community members vandalising problem trees;
• Inadequate pruning of large trees making them unstable and unattractive.

Street tree assessments and correct species choice is important to ensure that street trees remain a great asset for the community.

For further information contact Olivia Tell.

Date of release: 16 March 2009

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