Adopt a Tree.

I have focused on three different developments in the East Brunswick area. All have required a great deal of planning and effort to bring them to their present state. In all, native plants have been used, particularly species that are indigenous to this area.  With careful siting and maintenance, these plantings can be very satisfying.

 The Wetland area along the Merri Creek.

However, I have hesitated to make a judgement on the quality of Brunswick’s street scapes because, in my opinion, at best they are adequate, but usually they are poor or even neglected.

I have seen very few streets planted with London Plane trees, a hybrid of Platanus orientalis, that seem to be favourites in the leafy eastern suburbs. Most of Brunswick’s street trees are hardy natives. They have to be tough because they do not get much attention once they are planted. The majority are melaleucas, acacias, casuarinas, some eucalypts and lately, callistemons.

It seems that I am not alone in my opinion of the state of Brunswick’s street scapes because, last month, on the front page of the local paper, there was an announcement about a resident group’s new initiative.

Friends of Moreland Street Gardens urge residents and businesses to sign up to the Adopt-a-Tree scheme. People can adopt civic land which they can plant with trees and shrubs provided by the council.

The council will provide

• A council-owned nature strip or garden bed to be cared for
• Free rubbish removal, plants and mulch
• A co-ordinator and mentor, and great prizes
• To sign up email adoptatreeinmoreland@y7mail.com

The co-ordinator said residents could help ‘fix the municipalities’ neglected street scapes by donating time’. People can nominate the public garden / nature strip of their choice, and once approved, they will receive their plants.

A neglected  tree in a sea of weeds.

This nature strip has had some help.

There has been encouraging interest shown in the scheme. It is hoped that not only will this benefit the amenity of Moreland’s streets, but there will be a positive experience of community building.

A beautiful tree that has to accommodate too many wires.