Letters have gone out and property owners have selected their new street trees! Now we begin the business of planting.
If your residence is slated for a new tree this planting season, please make sure your verge is clear of obstructions through June-September so our crew can introduce your tree to its new home safely.
Last year we planted nearly 900 street trees! 22 different species, 89% of which were WA or Australian native species, and over 90% fauna attracting. That's the lasting impact of the Leafy Streets program.
Street trees play an important role in not only achieving our Urban Forest goal of 20% canopy cover, but also to:
Leafy Streets is proudly co-funded by Water Corporation’s Waterwise Greening Scheme and forms part of our ambition for Vic Park to be a leading waterwise community.
About leafy streets
Why are trees being planted on our street verges?
The community, along with the Town, are working together to deliver the Urban Forest Strategy to improve environmental health and manage the heat island effect. Tree planting is critical in supporting the health of our environment and the liveability of our streets into the future, providing shaded avenues when walking and riding in our Town, and increasing and supporting biodiversity.
For more information visit our Urban Forest Strategy page.
When is my street tree going to be planted?
Tree planting generally runs from May through to September each year. With close to 1000 trees planted annually, we are unable to give an exact date when your street tree will be planted.
Street tree requests need to be submitted by the end of January for a tree to be planted in the same year.
Are verge trees compulsory?
Yes. Verges are Crown land, which is managed by the Town. Each year we research to ascertain the best locations for our new street trees. We only provide exemptions in exceptional circumstances. If you would like to request an exemption to the Leafy Streets Program, please submit a request here: Leafy streets enquires.
What rights do I have to trees planted on Town verges?
Verges are Crown land, which is managed by the Town. The Town prefers residents don’t plant trees on verges as considerations need to be made regarding underground services, tree locations and species selection.
Refer to Policy 255 Tree Management.
Can I request a street tree?
Yes. If you would like to request a street tree, you can do so from our Street Trees page.
How to care for our Urban Forest
The Town's Urban Forest program, delivered in collaboration with our community, has achieved many positive environmental, social, and health benefits. We've seen trees and shrubs planted in public green spaces, in sump lands turned into micro parks, on streetscapes, and in home gardens through our various #GreeningVicPark programs.
Once a tree, plant or shrub has been planted, it also needs protection and maintenance for the first couple of years, including regular watering, litter clearance, weeding and checking for physical damage. All plants, trees, and shrubs planted by the Town are maintained regularly by our team throughout the year.
However, as you can imagine, with the amount of trees and green spaces around the Town, we might not be able to ensure every plant is as protected as we'd like. So, we would love the help of our community to care for our urban forest!
The Town undertakes an annual tree planting program during the winter months or until appropriate soil moisture conditions as a result of rainfall has been achieved. Suitable planting locations will be selected by the Town for the program in accordance with the Urban Forest Strategy. In addition, private property owners can request the verge adjacent their property be listed for consideration within the Annual Tree Planting Program. The Town will provide and plant, at no charge, one or more street trees on the road verge.
The Town will maintain all new street trees following planting. This will include summer watering during establishment, staking, professional and formative pruning and the application of mulch, fertiliser and wetting agent.
The Towns Urban Forest program is also currently undertaking a tree planting trial to improve the success rates of our trees and reduce the amount of water needed to get them to establishment (generally first three years). We kindly request you show the trees love by not watering them as this impacts our findings. We look forward to sharing the results with you.
Things you can do to show your love and to help our trees sustain good health and reach maturity:
You can help us by keeping weeds and litter away from the base of the tree and keeping an eye on its overall health.
Inform the Town if you see trees needing some extra love, staking, pruning, and ties, if they are looking poorly, vandalism of trees or suggestions of new tree planting locations for next year.
Contact the Town to let us know of any maintenance requirement via:
Service Request - Verges and street trees » Town of Victoria Park
Planting locations can be sent via street tree request form:
Street Tree Request » Town of Victoria Park
Tree species selection, care and maintenance
Can I select the tree species?
Residents have the option of selecting the tree species. Tree selections are made from the Town’s tree species list allocated to your street and verge. These lists are prepared by the Town’s horticulturists and landscape architects, assessing a range of factors including the size of the street and space available for planting considering other infrastructure, maintaining existing street character, and ensuring diversity across our urban forest.
A list of species to select from will be supplied in the letter provided to homeowners scheduled to receive a tree as part of this year's program. Letters will arrive prior to the start of planting season.
Who is going to care for the tree?
Young trees are managed by a specific Greening Care crew for the first three years after planting (watering, staking, tying, pruning, mulching and fertilising), then they are moved to a separate established trees annual maintenance regime that is also managed by the Town.
How can I help care for newly planted street trees?
If you notice the tree wells are weedy, you could weed in the wells, careful not to disturb the delicate root system. Trees that don't have to compete with weeds often have a much higher success rate. We prefer to hand weed these new trees!
If you notice rubbish in the wells, a rubbish pick up would also be appreciated.
If you notice anything else such as vandalism, pests, illness, damage, pruning required or have any other request, please let us know!
Service Request - Verges and street trees » Town of Victoria Park
Please do not provide any care or maintenance to the trees yourself. Please report it to us so we can take care of it.
Your support in helping grow our Urban Forest is greatly appreciated.
Any further questions check out the Urban Forest Knowledge Hub.
Can I prune my tree?
No, please contact the Town if any pruning or other work is required on the tree.
To request pruning or other works to your tree, complete the Verges and street trees service request form.
My tree has died, can I get a replacement?
Yes, the Town endeavours to replace any tree that has died in the next appropriate planting season. Generally, replacement trees will be same species as the one removed.
To inform the Town of a dead tree complete the Verges and street trees service request form. A replacement tree is then added to the next season's planting list by Town staff.
How are street trees selections made?
Our team of qualified Horticulturists and Landscape Architects review all tree planting and select species that are appropriate to the location.
What diversity of trees are planted in the Town?
We prioritise local endemic species where possible. Of the trees planted in 2024, 79.5% were local native species, 6.5% were Western Australian species, 6% were Australian species, and 8% were exotic species.
Tree locations
Can I choose where the tree/s are located on the verge adjacent to my address?
This matter can be discussed with the Town of Victoria Park.
Trees are located on the following principles:
- Tree location 1.5m minimum from an existing crossover
- 6m from an existing lighting or power pole
- 8m from an existing tree
- Generally halfway between the property boundary and the kerb
- Consideration of existing services, power, telecom or water service infrastructure located within the verge (power dome etc.)
- Road safety sight lines and clearance
The number of trees planted in a verge can vary depending on the above factors.
Parking
Can the tree be located so I can still park on the verge?
The Town is willing to work with residents to locate trees so parking on the verge is maintained where possible. However, if both are unable to be accommodated, tree planting will take priority over parking.
Verge Irrigation
I have irrigation installed on the verge, how will this be impacted?
We advise you to test your irrigation system following tree planting to identify possible damage.
Should there be any damage caused by tree planting, please contact the Town as soon as possible for the contractor to return and repair the damage.
To report damage complete the Verges and street trees service request form.
Tree planting locations can be found here Tree Planting Map.
Home security cameras
What if the new tree obscures my CCTV surveillance and security?
Street trees are planted on the verge adjacent to driveways and crossovers, obstruction to surveillance on private property will be minimal.
Pending developments
I am in the process of developing my property or I have a new crossover planned as part of the application. Can I request to postpone the planting?
Yes, please let us know and we will reschedule the tree planting once development has been completed. This is applicable to Development Applications lodged with the Town by the commencement of the planting season.
Tell us about your pending development by completing this form Leafy streets enquires.
Health concerns
I am allergic to some tree species, can I select a different tree?
Yes, if an appropriate species is not listed in the species selection page, please contact the Town in writing, including a letter from your medical professional confirming the allergy and we will find a suitable alternative.
Tell us about your health concern by completing Leafy streets enquires form and upload medical evidence.
Solar panels
I have a solar panel on the roof, I am concerned the tree will shade them. Can I select a different tree species or have the tree located elsewhere?
The Town is happy to work with residents to locate trees along the verge to minimise impact on solar and consider a different species where possible.
Tell us about your solar panel concerns by completing this form Leafy streets enquires.
Lawn
I have new lawn on my verge that I maintain to a high standard.
The lawn will be neatly cut out where the tree is installed and a tree well fitted.
How are trees selected with consideration of Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB)?
The Town will not plant species identified as preferred reproductive host species.
The Town will consider planting tree species on the reproductive and non-reproductive list with caution and consideration.
See the global host list.
Have other questions about tree planting?
Please follow the below steps:
- Read Town's Policy 255 Tree Management. This policy outlines the management of trees on public property by the Town.
- Submit any remaining questions by completing the below online form.
- Your query will be reviewed by the Parks Technical Officer, with written feedback provided and sent to the resident.
- Should there be any concerns with the location of the tree, no tree planting will occur whilst concerns are in discussion.
Enquiries form