Update: Preferred species selected

Thank you to everyone who voted on their preferred street tree species for Hourigan Avenue. Based on community feedback, the chosen option for this street is Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Sioux'.

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Sioux' - to be planted on both sides of the road.

Creating quite the visual impact over a lengthy period, this variety has a great trunk and offers masses of intense, musk-pink flowers over summer, followed by stunning, rich foliage colour in tones of yellow, red and orange through autumn, before shedding its leaves. When mature, the bark of this variety will peel, creating a mottled effect to reveal the beautiful caramel-pink colour of its underbark.

Size - height x width: 6-8m x 4m

Foliage: Deciduous

Background

As part of Monash Council's Street Tree Strategy, residents of Hourigan Avenue 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.

Hourigan Avenue, Clayton

Our arborists have completed individual tree assessments based on the above criteria and, in Hourigan Avenue, we are proposing to remove no trees but will be planting a total of 11 trees in currently vacant locations.

Hourigan Avenue 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.

Pistacia chinensis - to be planted on both sides of the road.

This lovely small, deciduous tree has a moderate growth rate and great autumn colour in shades of orange, yellow and red. Bark is dark grey with shallow furrows and this variety is capable of withstanding relatively harsh conditions. Interesting pinnate leaves emerge green and leathery and although inconspicuous, clusters of small white flowers are borne in summer, followed by red drupes which mature to blue.

Size - height x width: 8m x 6m

Foliage: Deciduous

Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Sioux' - to be planted on both sides of the road.

Creating quite the visual impact over a lengthy period, this variety has a great trunk and offers masses of intense, musk-pink flowers over summer, followed by stunning, rich foliage colour in tones of yellow, red and orange through autumn, before shedding its leaves. When mature, the bark of this variety will peel, creating a mottled effect to reveal the beautiful caramel-pink colour of its underbark.

Size - height x width: 6-8m x 4m

Foliage: Deciduous

Betula nigra 'Dura Heat' - to be planted on both sides of the road.

A low maintenance tree that is well suited to Australian conditions. May be of use in streetscapes where other birch trees have failed to perform. Highly regarded selection of River Birch well suited for use as an amenity tree due to its exceptional environmental tolerances and ornamental qualities. Rich green summer foliage, attractive flaking bark and consistently good autumn colour add to the overall appeal of this cultivar.

Size - height x width: 10m x 6m

Foliage: Deciduous