Randwick City Council
Adopt a Street Tree
program
Tree requirements
What is the Adopt a Street Tree program?
Newly planted street trees
Watering
This program provides residents with
the information they require should they
wish to personally contribute in a practical
way to the long-term maintenance of
newly planted street trees.
A newly planted street tree requires
lots of care so it can develop into a
healthy specimen.
Sufficient water is perhaps the most
crucial factor in the establishment and
survival of newly planted street trees.
The nutrient deficient soils and harsh
environment of the City’s coastal strip
area mean that extra care is required for
any newly planted tree.
Council’s tree planting contractors water
and maintain new trees for a period of
six months after planting but additional
watering by residents will ensure
that they are given the best possible
chance of survival.
Street trees provide shade, produce oxygen, reduce noise
and pollution, provide habitat and food source for native birds
and other fauna and generally improve the visual amenity
of the City’s street scapes.
In the longer term they also increase property values and contribute
to an improved sense of wellbeing within the community.
By ‘adopting’ a street tree, residents voluntarily take on the
role of not only watering a street tree, but also regularly
inspecting it for pests and diseases and informing the Council
of acts of vandalism or other problems.
Street trees are planted by contractors to
a particular specification which includes
incorporating a wetting agent and slow
release fertiliser, mulch, stakes and tie.
The diagram on page 3 details the
specification used for the planting of street
trees throughout the Randwick City area.
When watering young trees, it is
important to observe the following:
• Mulch should be dished around
base of tree
• Allow water to soak into soil
• Water at a slow, even rate
• Water until mulch ‘saucer’ fills
and repeat
• Allow at least 9–10 litres per tree
The following information is designed to provide interested
residents with a general overview of the requirements of newly
planted street trees.
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Correct planting guidelines
Mulching
The majority of street trees planted
by the Council are either native or
indigenous and require little or no
additional fertiliser to that incorporated
at the time of planting.
Adequate mulch around the base of
newly planted trees ensures that weed
growth is minimised and that the trunk is
protected from damage.
Staking
All street trees are staked and tied at the
time of planting. Stakes are used as a
means of protection against vandalism
rather than support.
Some considerations when staking:
• Stake in a figure eight configuration
• Ensure some trunk movement
is possible
• Place stakes outside root zone
• Replace tie when required
Some important points about mulching:
• Mulch should be ‘dished’ around
base of tree
• Ensure mulch does not make
contact with trunk
• Mulch to a depth of at least
75-100mm
Lawn clippings should not be used as
mulch or deposited around the trunks of
trees because they can cause collar rot
and fungal decay.
Plant to be tied with
2x50mm width nylon
tie stapled to stakes
Form shallow dish
to tree base
Hardwood stakes
2x1500x50x50mm
installed vertically
75mm mulch as selected –
Mounted and dished around
tree – well clear of trunk.
Weeds
Weeds compete with young trees for
moisture and nutrients and often harbour
pests and diseases.
Weeds should be manually removed from
around the base of young trees. The use
of herbicides is discouraged because
of the health impact it can have on
developing trees and the environment.
2
Hardwood stake
1000mm
If you have concerns about the health
of ANY street tree, contact the Council
for further advice.
600mm diameter
spade cut edge
to lawn
Mound any leftover site soil
around tree – kept clear of
tree trunk.
Backfill planting mix
as specified
500mm
Adding fertiliser to the soil around a newly
planted street tree may be detrimental to
its health and may even kill the tree.
Mulch also assists in the retention of
moisture, which is particularly important
during the establishment period
and drier months.
600mm
600mm
Fertilising
Slow release fertiliser and
wetting agent to manufacturer’s
specifications
150mm
Container
width
150mm
3
Pests
Mechanical damage
Attack by insects can seriously affect
the growth and development of young
street trees and their early detection and
removal is very important.
Damaging the trunk of a tree at any
stage of its life cycle can weaken the
tree and allow the entry of pathogens
and diseases.
These attacks are often seasonal
and often last for only a short period
of time but they have a large impact
on young trees.
The most common cause of trunk
damage to street trees is the careless use
of mowers and brush cutters. Damage
is also often caused by motor vehicles or
pedestrian traffic.
When dealing with insect pests:
• Remove caterpillars manually or hose
off tree/s and then dispose of
• Treat sap sucking insects such
as scale with environmentally
friendly treatments
• Remove aphids with proprietary white
oil mix or other treatments
• Always follow manufacturer’s
instructions when using pesticides
and wear protective clothing
• Follow up treatments may be required
with some insect pests
Additional information
For additional information about Council’s Adopt A Street Tree Program, to report
a sick or vandalised street tree or to request that a tree be re-mulched or pruned,
contact Council’s Call Centre on 1300 722 542.
Council’s tree officers can also provide information on the species utilised as street
trees in your area and they may be contacted on 9399 0858 or 9399 0843.
Your involvement in this very worthwhile program would be TREE-MENDOUS
Trees may also be ringbarked by ties that
are too tight or damaged if the trunk or
branches rub against tree stakes.
If you notice any such damage to ANY
street tree you should contact the
Council so that the appropriate action
can be taken.
Pruning
Formative pruning of new street
trees is generally undertaken at the
time of planting.
Additional pruning is usually not required
until the tree/s has become established
and this will be undertaken by qualified
Council staff.
If you think that a newly planted street
tree requires pruning, please contact
the Council’s Call Centre so that
an assessment can be made by a
Council tree officer.
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Randwick City Council
30 Frances Street
Randwick nsw 2031
Hours of operation:
8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday
Call centre: 1300 722 542
www.randwick.nsw.gov.au