It’s time for a tree change — City of Albany offers free trees in bid to turn streets green

The City of Albany is offering locals a free street tree in a bid to make neighbourhoods greener.

Residents can apply for one of 200 trees to be planted on their verge to help expand the city’s urban tree population.

City of Albany developed reserves supervisor Wayne Turner said since 2018, the City had planted an additional 926 trees, taking the City’s “urban tree inventory” to more than 11,800.

“Providing the community with street trees promotes long-term health benefits, city liveability, provides shade for residents, complements our natural surrounding landscape, and mitigates the effect of climate change,” Mr Turner said.

“The first Free Street Tree program was rolled out off the back of the City’s Urban Tree Strategy that was adopted by council in 2017.

“This program has been part of a wider initiative involving regular infill and replacement of trees through projects such as the Centennial Sporting Precinct Promenade.”

Japanese maple, Manchurian pear, coral gum, freshwater paperbark, and peppermint are some of the varieties available, depending on the location of each home.