Trees and Verges

Trees on Public Property

Verge Planting

Trees on Public Property

Trees significantly enhance our quality of life in the urban environment. Not only do trees provide habitat, moderate climate, improve air quality and reduce stormwater runoff, they also offer social, environmental and economic benefits throughout their lifetime.

Street Tree Pruning and Removal

The Town is responsible for maintaining street trees. Maintenance of street trees is only permitted to be undertaken by the Town or by a suitably qualified arborist approved by the Town.

The Town will normally only remove street trees if the tree is dead, diseased, structurally unsound to the extent it presents a danger to the community, is declared as a noxious weed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development or has no ecological or amenity value.

Further information on street trees is available in the Street Tree Policy:

Street and Reserve Trees Policy

Tree Planting Program

The Town undertakes street tree planting annually. To maximise the survival rate, each tree will be staked and planted in a basin with a layer of mulch. We will water the trees during the first two summers and residents are encouraged to water them too.

The planting season runs during the cooler months when young trees are more likely to establish well in their new environment, typically from June until September.

Request a Verge Tree

Powerline Pruning Program

Our annual powerline pruning program commenced on 11 November 2024 and will take approximately 2- 3 months to complete. Please ensure your vehicle is not parked under any street trees while pruning is happening in your area. Street trees are pruned in accordance with Western Power's clearance requirements, only trees under powerlines will be pruned as part of this program.

The program schedule is as follows:

  1. Bassendean Industrial Area and Zones 4 and 5 (south of the train line) - November to December
  2. Zones 2 & 3 (between Railway Parade and Walter Rd) - December to January
  3. Zone 1 (north of Walter Rd) - January

Celebration Trees

The Town facilitates the placement of celebration trees/ tree memorials as outlined in the Celebration Trees Council Policy. This is subject to an application and payment of costs as per the Annual Fees and Charges as of the date of planting.

For further details please refer below.

Application for a Celebration Tree

Celebration Trees Council Policy

Adopt a Tree Program

The Adopt a Tree program invites community members to help care for street trees on the verges adjacent to their property. Participants in the program can assist by:

  • Monitoring the street tree and notifying the Town of any problems.
  • Watering the tree.
  • Transforming the verge into a waterwise garden, with support from the Town’s Verge Rebate program.

As per the Street and Reserve Trees Council Policy, the pruning or maintenance of trees is restricted to Town employees or a qualified arborist approved by the Town.

For further information please refer to the Adopt a Tree Program Information Sheet

If you would like to adopt a street tree, please complete and submit the Online Form - Adopt a Tree Program, email [email protected] or call 9377 8000. 

Verge Planting

The Town encourages the development and maintenance of environmentally sustainable verge treatments.

The verge is a valued public space and to achieve the maximum potential of this space for the community, and your valued contribution in landscaping and maintaining the verge is encouraged.

These guidelines encourage you to install verge treatments within our community which:

  • reduce water use within the verge
  • decrease the urban heat island effect
  • provides a habitat for fauna and improves biodiversity
  • creates a sense of community and place
  • adds to the amenity of the local area
  • increases water infiltration and reduces stormwater runoff
  • improves soil quality and the health of street trees.

Verge Policy

Verge Planting Guidelines