Update: Preferred species selected

Thank you to everyone who voted on their preferred street tree species for Columbia Drive. Based on community feedback, the chosen option for this street is Brachychiton acerifolius and Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Jerilderie Red'.

Brachychiton acerifolius to be planted on non powerline side and Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Jerilderie Red' to be planted on powerline side

Brachychiton acerifolius

A drought tolerant, slow growing tree native to the warmer parts of the east coast of Australia, this tree is known for its masses of crimson flowers in spring-summer when the tree is totally devoid of foilage.

Size - height x width: 12m x 6m

Foliage: Deciduous

Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Jerilderie Red':

This is an attractive densely canopied tree that grows to approximately 8m tall and 7m wide. It has a bloated trunk and large lobed leaves. During the summer months, the tree is densely packed with stunning powdery-red flowers that are shaped like small bells.

Size - height x width: 8m x 7m

Foliage: Evergreen

Background

As part of Monash Council's Street Tree Strategy, residents of Columbia Drive are invited to let us know what type of tree you'd like to see us plant in your street.

Our Street Tree Strategy helps protect and increase our street tree canopy across Monash - something we know is very important to our residents because of the role it plays in cooling, shading and beautifying our streets.

Why does Council identify trees for removal?

When assessing a street that is part of our Street Tree Strategy, we flag trees for removal that are dead, dying (assessed as having less than five years useful life), diseased or dangerous (pose an inappropriate level of risk to people or assets which cannot be reasonably be managed).

These trees are then replaced where appropriate and we also look for other opportunities to plant trees on the street.

Columbia Drive, Wheelers Hill

Our arborists have completed individual tree assessments based on the above criteria and, in Columbia Drive, we are proposing to remove 13 trees and will be planting a total of 43 trees, which includes planting 30 trees in currently vacant locations.

Columbia Drive tree replacement map

Tree to be removed and replaced

New tree

Tree removed with no replacement

Species for replanting

Three different options for replanting have been identified by Council's arboriculture team, with species identified most appropriate for the conditions. These options are explained below with residents invited to pick their preference by using the below survey. Council's arboriculture team will then begin working towards planting the species in the preferred option.

Brachychiton acerifolius to be planted on non powerline side and Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Jerilderie Red' to be planted on powerline side

Brachychiton acerifolius

A drought tolerant, slow growing tree native to the warmer parts of the east coast of Australia, this tree is known for its masses of crimson flowers in spring-summer when the tree is totally devoid of foilage.

Size - height x width: 12m x 6m

Foliage: Deciduous

Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Jerilderie Red':

This is an attractive densely canopied tree that grows to approximately 8m tall and 7m wide. It has a bloated trunk and large lobed leaves. During the summer months, the tree is densely packed with stunning powdery-red flowers that are shaped like small bells.

Size - height x width: 8m x 7m

Foliage: Evergreen

Eucalyptus torquata to be planted on powerline side and Eucalytpus polyanthemos to be planted on non powerline side.

Eucalyptus torquata:

A small, hardy evergreen tree with pretty coral-pink flowers.. Native to the poor and shallow soils of the Goldfields, the Coral Gum tolerates dry summers and poor soils yet rewards with a conspicuous show of flowers in spring or summer. the coral-pink or creamy flowers are also known for their abundant nectar and bird attracting. The latent hardiness and smaller adult size of the tree makes it a popular choice as a street tree, but it also works well as a feature tree in water-wise gardens and native plantings. Best in full sun. Can grow in a variety of soils including poor, shallow or rocky. Tolerates dry summers and urban environments. Grows fast in suitable conditions.

Size - height x width: 4-10m x 2-6m

Foliage: Evergreen

Eucalytpus polyanthemos:

This Australian native tree grows naturally down the central tablelands of New South Wales to Victoria, and across as far as Ararat. A tough tree, it is capable of tolerating difficult, dry stony soils. Juvenile foliage is oval in shape and grey-green in colour whilst the mature, adult leaves are more ovate. The short trunk can be smooth or box-like (fissured). Flowering occurs from September to January during which small white flowers appear.

Size - height x width: 10-15m x 5m

Foliage: Evergreen

Lophostemon confertus on to be planted on non powerline side and Waterhousea floribunda 'ST1' Whisper to be planted on powerline side.

Lophostemon confertus:

A rainforest tree native to the North-Eastern parts of Australia, this is a fast growing tree which is rarely affected by pests and diseases. Dome-like in shape, it develops a very dense foliage cover of dark green, leathery leaves providing good shade for the summer months. This variety rarely sheds limbs and has salmon coloured bark which flakes off over summer revealing orange-brown tones on the trunk. Summer also brings clusters of small white flowers whose stamens give them a decorative fluffy appearance.

Size - height x width: 15m x 10m

Foliage: Evergreen

Waterhousea floribunda 'ST1' Whisper:

This is a versatile, bushy tree with a wonderful weeping habit. New growth starts off pink with leaves turning to various shades of green as the foliage matures. Foliage is maintained to the base of the plant giving a year-round lush, full appearance. It forms a small quantity of creamy-white flowers in summer. Berry production on 'Whisper' is unlike other Lilly Pillies, with minimal quantities of small green berries that, whilst bird attracting, these fruits are tucked in amongst the foliage and are not obvious.

Size - height x width: 8m x 5m

Foliage: Evergreen