Adopt a Tree Program
Applications are open for the May – September 2024 planting season
We're planting more trees across the Copper Coast to help cool and beautify our streets.
If you'd like a street tree on the public verge in front of your home, let us know!
How it works
- Contact us to request a free street tree in front of your home (using the form below).
- You can tell us what type you prefer: deciduous, evergreen, native or exotic. We'll select one or more trees for you, suited to your location.
- We don't just plant any tree! The trees we recommend are based on many factors at each location and will consider things like:
- power lines
- views/sight lines
- location of underground services
- soil type and condition
- width and depth of your verge
- visibility for road users
- adjacent land (e.g. natural areas) and much more.
Note: not all locations are suitable for a street tree. If a tree isn't suitable for your place, you can still create a verge garden Adopt a Verge Garden - Information Sheet
- We'll come out and plant your new tree. This may take some time as we usually plant in autumn and spring when the trees have the best chance to thrive. Timing also depends on our ability to source different tree species.
- All we ask in return is for you to care for your tree, give it plenty of water while it settles in, and let us know if it needs a prune or doesn't look healthy.
Request your street tree:
Printable copy can be found here:
More info: Adopt a Tree - Information Sheet
For assistance with your Tree Adoption choice, check out the information pages for each of the tree varieties.
Native/Evergreen: Eucky Dwarf and Tuckeroo
Deciduous/Exotic: Pistachio and Jacaranda
Frequently Asked Questions
No, adopted trees are planted on the verge and require no assistance to access and install. We cannot provide a specific date and time for planting once scheduled, but you will see a mark on the verge where the tree will be planted.
Yes, all new trees planted require water and a little extra care to help them establish and succeed.
Residents that have requested to be part of our Adopt a Tree program, agree to be responsible for watering trees planted in their verge as part of the application process. Adopters will receive a bucket when their tree is planted and care instructions. New trees generally require 2-3 buckets of water per week.
Yes, but we will assess the location and determine if there is enough space for multiple trees. We will advise you once the verge has been assessed.
When assessing the suitability of locations for planting new street trees, arborists take several factors into consideration to ensure that trees will thrive and grow.
The rule of thumb is that they need to ensure that new trees are not planted any closer than 3m from a driveway, 6m from a corner plot or 1.5m from the kerb.
Other factors include existing underground services that will be compromised by digging or tree roots, planting on a corner or driveway that may block line of sight, a nearby home has solar panels that will be shaded, or existing vegetation is present.
Verges come in all shapes and sizes! The two main types of verges that are suitable for trees are the ones that have a separate patch of earth between the kerb and footpath, and those that may not include a footpath and are purely landscaped all the way to the kerb (this is still classed as the verge as it needs to be accessible to pedestrians). Sadly, if your verge is fully paved with no earth accessible, we will be unable to plant a tree.
Trees can only be planted in the council owned verge and not in your privately owned garden.
Trees have so many benefits, that if you are ineligible for Adopt a Tree but have the room for a tree in your garden we'd strongly suggest investigating planting one or alternatively you can still create a verge garden – Adopt a Verge Garden
Maybe. Our Parks and Gardens team plants a mixture of exotic, native and indigenous species throughout the Copper Coast region. This approach places our region in the best position to respond to pest, disease, climatic challenges and provides high level aesthetic value. The need to have a resilient tree stock has never been more critical.
While we most often plants native trees throughout our open space and reserves, the use of exotic trees within streetscapes is highly successful. Exotic trees often provide enhanced visual amenity as they change with the seasons, they provide shade in the summer and warm winter sun throughout the cooler months, and very often lend themselves to the ‘avenue’ look and feel as their form can be manipulated to cope with the challenges of roadway, footway, overhead conductors, etc.
For the Adopt a Tree program, we'll be using some of the following species. You can't choose which will be planted, but you can rest assured that our experts will make sure it’s right for your location. Click the links to see tree specifications and images.