City of Albany calls on residents to register for free verge trees to aid growth of urban tree inventory

More than 120 street trees have been planted by the City of Albany this year, and it wants residents to know requesting a free tree through its Street Tree Program is a relatively simple process on its website. The number of trees in the City’s urban tree inventory has now grown to more than 12,000 as part of efforts to promote resilient, healthy, diverse and sustainable communities through yearly tree planting programs. The program has closed for this year but residents are able to apply for their free tree, which would be planted on their verge in winter next year. Species for verge planting are determined by the circumstances of the property, including whether it needs to avoid power lines, the viability of the species in the location and whether it can benefit local wildlife as a habitat. City reserves manager Jacqui Freeman said street trees played many important roles. “Street trees cool us down by providing shade for houses and footpaths, assist in reducing the urban heat island effect, reduce storm water run-off and capture and store carbon by removing CO2 from the atmosphere,” she said. “There are also economic benefits such as reducing household energy use, improving street amenity and increasing property values. “Trees also create a sense of identity and character in our suburbs as well as improving our physical and mental wellbeing.” Visit the City’s website - https://bit.ly/3hKOmuT