Planting trees guide

Tree purpose

Apart from being beautiful and improving the urban environment, trees can be used to do many things: frame desirable views, Screen unpleasant views, provide privacy, give shade, provide shelter from prevailing winds, provide habitat for local wildlife, add flower or foliage colour, add texture or scent, provide food, create a focal point, create separation etc.

So before selecting a species, work out what you want it to do and let this guide your decision about the size, canopy shape, growth habit and horticultural characteristics of your tree.

Deciduous trees

Deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter. This can be very beneficial for allowing sunlight through to adjacent buildings and reducing heating and lighting costs. It can also be helpful for trees growing in polluted or dusty locations, allowing the tree to grow a new, fresh, clean canopy each spring.

Tree forms

Planting in close proximity to Bushland

If you live near remnant urban bushland, it is important to select species that will not threaten the local ecology. Choosing locally indigenous species is the best option, but if for some reason none of these suit the space and desired function, it is imperative to choose a species that will not become an environmental weed or heavily overshadow adjoining natural areas.

Tree canopies across private land play an extremely important role in linking fragmented bushland areas, allowing native fauna to safely traverse our suburbs.

When planting in close proximity to bushland, sourcing trees grown from local seed can help protect genetic integrity. Specialist native nurseries can advise on provenance of their stock.

Climate change resilience

A lot of research is going on regarding which urban tree species will withstand climate change. Selecting species known to perform well in hotter, dryer climates than Sydney may be worth considering given the long term nature of tree planting.