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City of Wollongong

All hands on deck for June tree blitz

Thursday 10 June 2021

Tree planting

Are you ready for a flurry of fluoro?

Over the next four weeks, our staff have set themselves the challenge of planting 500 new street trees across the Wollongong region.

So, if you were a resident or community member who responded to our call-out for requests for a street tree to be planted on the verge outside your property or in a public space, we may be coming to you soon.

We’ve received more than 500 requests for new street trees to be planted on the verge outside properties across the Wollongong region. To meet the demand, we’re bringing together a squad of Council staff to plant as many trees as possible in one month.

“Since calling for residents to take on the challenge of caring for a tree in front of their home, we’ve been inundated by responses,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“We’re responding to these requests with a tree-planting blitz. It’s wonderful to see so many people get on board this project to green our communities and public spaces.

“As our city grows and climate change increases the heat stress on our communities, we need to plan and plant for the future. Plants and trees are one of the best long-term investments that cool our suburbs, reduce pollution and make our communities healthier and happier.”

Council crews will target street tree requests in our southern suburbs from 7 to 11 June. We’ll move on to central and northern suburbs from 14 to 25 June.

This project is part of Council’s Urban Greening Strategy and is just one way we’re working to improve trees and plants in public spaces.

“The cooler months are the best time of the year to plant trees as it gives time for the roots to establish before the heat of summer arrives,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Although we’re not taking any more tree requests for the June tree blitz, you can still apply for a street tree outside your house. We’ll add new requests to the list and will continue the planting schedule in the autumn and winter months next year.”

Here are some tips for caring for your new street tree to help it get used to its new home.

  1. Water regularly for the first couple of months

    When watering your tree, apply water to the root ball (located directly under the plant) at a slow flow rate. Your tree will need at least ten litres twice weekly during the first couple of months, then drop back to weekly for another couple of months.

  2. Leave the collar around the tree

    When we plant a street tree, we place a protective plastic collar around the base of the tree. This is useful for protecting the tree while you mow or use a whipper snipper. It’s also handy as a water well to help hold and direct water to the tree roots.

  3. Don’t place grass clippings on the base of your tree

    Please don’t put mown grass clippings at the base of the tree as this can lead to rot at the stem. We’ll place wood chip mulch around the base of your tree, and you’re welcome to top this up as needed.

  4. Ask for help

Not everyone is a master gardener. If you think your new tree needs a prune, more mulch or something else, ask for help! You can call our Customer Service team on (02) 4227 7111 or email council@wollongong.nsw.gov.au and we’ll lodge your request and send our staff to come by and have a look.


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