Street trees in Hotham Street, Hughesdale
The Street Tree Strategy aims to enhance and preserve Monash’s street tree canopy to ensure it continues to be a source of neighbourhood and city pride. We hope to create engaging and inviting green spaces, encouraging walking, cycling and street activity and delivering tangible benefits to local communities.
Our focus is on preserving trees that are healthy and creating additional planting in local parks and reserves to boost greenery.
We will only be removing and replacing those trees that are dead, dying (with a useful life expectancy of less than two years) or dangerous (they pose a risk to the community in the short term).
Street Tree Assessments
Council’s arborist has completed individual tree assessments based on the above criteria and in Hotham Street, Hughesdale, we are proposing to remove 5 trees and will be planting a total of 12 trees which includes an additional 8 trees in vacant locations.
Replacement Tree Species
In some cases, we will need to select two complementary species to be planted on either side of the road to accommodate constraints such as power lines, service pits and other infrastructure that exists within the street.
A proposed street tree renewal plan including all proposed tree removals, replacements and species choices has been drafted for Hotham Street:
Hotham Street Detailed Layout Street Tree Strategy(PDF, 1MB)
If you would like to receive a hard copy of the plan, please contact council using the details below.
Survey Results
Council sought feedback on the preferred option of tree species that directly affected residents would like to see planted in their street.
Your street has selected Option 2 – Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Natchez', Natchez Crepe Myrtle and Acer x freemanii 'Autumn Blaze', Freeman Maple.
For Hotham Street, 27 votes were received with four votes for Option 1, 17 votes for Option 2 and six votes for Option 3.
The Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Natchez', Natchez Crepe Myrtle is a small deciduous tree that has white flowers borne in clusters from late summer to early autumns. It has a beautiful growth habit with dark green leaves changing to orange before falling.
It has flaking bark with a rich brown under bark. This tree will be on the power line side of the street.
The Acer x freemanii 'Autumn Blaze', Freeman Maple has deeply indented yellow-green spring foliage that turns green in summer before the vibrant red, orange and yellow autumn colours appear. 'Autumn Blaze' also boasts silvery-grey bark that contrasts wonderfully with the foliage. This tree will be planted on the non-power line side of the street.
The new trees for your street are expected to be planted in June/July 2022, following removals in May 2022.
Council will be responsible for the care of the new street trees for the first two years as they become established. However, our residents can play a vital role in their successful establishment by keeping an eye on them and reporting to Council if they see the tree is not looking well or has been damaged.
The trees will then become part of Council’s annual tree maintenance program, where they will be checked and pruned if necessary.
Thank you for providing your feedback to renew your streetscape and Monash’s highly valued tree canopy.
For more information, please contact Lucas Skelton, Manager Horticulture, on 9518 3555.
Proposed Species Options - Hotham Street(PDF, 1MB)