Street trees in Merbow Street, Oakleigh
The trees in Merbow Street, Oakleigh have been nominated for renewal as part of Council’s Street Tree Strategy.
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
Our arborists have completed individual tree assessments based on the above criteria and in Merbow Street, we are proposing to remove 3 trees and will be planting a total of 6 trees which includes an additional 3 trees in vacant locations.
Replacement Tree Species
Council's arborist has proposed 3 appropriate tree species to be considered for planting. In some cases, we will need to select 2 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 Merbow Street:
Merbow Street - Proposed Tree Renewal Plan(PDF, 1MB)
If you would like a hard copy of the plan please contact council using the details below:
Survey Results
Council sought feedback (reply paid mail survey and online) on the preferred option of tree species directly affected residents would like to see planted in their street until Friday 25 September 2020.
Your street has selected Option 3 – “Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Pink', Bella Pink Hybrid Brachychiton”.
In Merbow Street a total of five (5) votes were received. Two (2) votes for Option 1, zero (0) votes for Option 2 and three (3) votes for Option 3.
The “Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius 'Bella Pink', Bella Pink Hybrid Brachychiton” is a small to medium-sized shade native tree offering glossy green foliage and pretty clusters of salmon pink, bell-shaped flowers in summer. The flowers attract birds.
These trees will be planted in late June to July 2021 and will be planted on both the power line and non-power line sides of the street.
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.
If you require any further information, please contact Lucas Skelton, Manager Horticulture on 9518 3555.
Option 1 - Single species (both sides of the road)
Pyrus calleryana x P. betulaefolia 'Edgewood' (Upright Callery Pear)
A lovely ornamental pear that has a good spring floral display and attractive mid-green summer foliage that changes to reds and purples in autumn.
Mature Size (h x w): 8–10 m x 6–8 m
Form: Upright
Option 2 - Single species (both sides of the road)
Olea europaea 'Swan Hill' (Swan Hill Olive)
A small to medium tree with slender, greyish-green foliage with a silvery underside. This variety does produce white flowers in spring, they are generally sterile and so will produce very little fruit. This is a tough tree which, once established, will tolerate periods of dryness.
Mature Size (h x w): 7 m x 10 m
Form: Round
Option 3 - Single species (both sides of the road)
Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius ' Bella Pink' (Bella Pink Hybrid Brachychiton)
This is a small to medium-sized shade native tree offering glossy green foliage and pretty clusters of salmon pink, bell-shaped flowers in summer. The flowers attract birds.
Mature Size (h x w): 8 m x 4 m
Form: Broad domed