Background

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

We are inviting residents of Wattle Grove to let us know what type of tree you'd like to see us plant in your street.

Click 'Follow' at the top of this page to receive updates on the project, including the results of voting.

Why does Council identify trees for removal?

When assessing a street as 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 that 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.

Wattle Grove, Mulgrave

Our arborists have completed individual tree assessments based on the above criteria. We will be:

  • Removing 19 trees, and
  • Planting 62 new trees.
Wattle Grove - tree replacement map
Wattle Grove - tree replacement map

Tree to be removed and replaced

New tree

Tree removed with no replacement

Species for replanting

Two different options for replanting have been identified by Council's arboriculture team, with species identified as the most appropriate for the conditions. These options are explained below. Residents are then invited to select their preference by using the survey at the bottom of the page. Council's arboriculture team will then begin working towards planting the species in the preferred option.

Narrow-leaved Black Peppermint (Eucalyptus nicholii) to be planted on the side of the street with no powerlines.

A small to medium-sized drought-tolerant eucalypt tree with rough bark on the trunk and thick, fibrous grey-brown branches. The leaves are small and narrow, turning from green to grey once matured, with small buds and fruit.

Size – height and width: 15-20m x 10-12m

Foliage: Deciduous

Coral Gum (Eucalyptus torquata) to be planted on the side of the street with powerlines.

A small, adaptable evergreen tree with pretty coral-pink flowers. Native to the poor and shallow soils of the Goldfields in Western Australia, 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. Needs good drainage.

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

Foliage: Evergreen

Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) to be planted on the side of the street with no powerlines.

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 can tolerate difficult, dry stony soils. Juvenile foliage is oval in shape and grey-green in colour while 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

Chinese photinia (Photinia serratifolia) - to be planted on the side of the street with powerlines.

An adaptable species with a compact, broad-domed form. Its deep green leaves are glossy with slightly toothed edges, turning red in autumn and winter. New growth in spring turns leaves a rose-bronze colour, with clusters of small white flowers blooming at ends of branches. Once established, the Chinese Photina is drought-tolerant but does not like soggy soil.

Size – height and width: 6-8m x 5-8 m

Foliage: Evergreen

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    Residents invited to provide feedback

    By 20 February 2026.

  • Timeline item 2 - incomplete

    Affected trees removed

    By 30 April 2026.

  • Timeline item 3 - incomplete

    Preferred species planted

    By 30 June 2026.