In praise of trees

IT IS fantastic to see Geelong’s beautiful landscape getting the recognition it deserves, receiving the title of Tree City of the World for a third year running.

And we are in very good company – the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations designated this title to 210 cities across 24 countries.

Eleven Australian localities made the esteemed list with Burnside, Canberra, Canning, Marion, Mitcham, Onkaparinga, Perth, Tea Tree Gully, Unley, and Victoria Park also nabbing the title.

Receiving this accolade for the third consecutive year is a testament to the City of Greater Geelong’s dedicated parks and tree management teams.

Many community groups have also dedicated significant time and energy into a range of tree planting initiatives across the region to help us maintain our wonderful landscape.

Trees are an incredibly valuable part of our ecosystem and characterise much of what our city looks like today.

The lemon scented gums of Brougham Street, the palms of Moorabool Street and the Norfolk Island pines of our waterfront all add character and differentiate the neighbourhoods around our city.

Without our trees Geelong would be a very different place.

At the City we have focused on planting 393 different tree species that add to our region’s character and liveability.

Council manages more than 180,000 urban trees, made up of more than 119,000 in streets and 45,000 in parks.

These trees provide lush coverage and have a cooling effect on our open spaces while also supporting our biodiversity and ecosystems.

Tree planting programs are one of the many steps we are taking towards achieving net zero emissions.

Aside from beautifying our landscape, trees in Geelong absorb an impressive 73 tonnes of air pollution each year, while reducing stormwater run-off into our waterways equal to four Olympic swimming pools.

Among the most valuable species in Geelong’s urban forest are the Melaleuca and Yellow Gum, due to their

size and broad canopy coverage.

Our team at Council plants 2,400 new street and park trees every year and we are currently in the process of reviewing our Urban Forest Strategy to assess what the future of trees in our city will look like over coming decades.

This strategy provides a framework to manage the urban tree population, parkland and conservation reserves for improved environmental, social and economic outcomes for Geelong.

I am proud that Geelong is once again a Tree City of the World, and I look forward to seeing how the next phase of our urban forest project will branch out in the future.

But we can do more and as a community we can all make a difference, especially with National Tree Day coming up on 27 July.

So, now I’ve planted the seed for you, head to treeday.planetark.org to learn more.

Cr Ron Nelson

Barrabool Hills Ward, City of Greater Geelong