Street trees in State Street, Oakleigh East

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 State Street, none of the trees meet the removal criteria. However we will be planting a 10 additional trees in vacant locations. 

Replacement Tree Species

Council's arborist has proposed three appropriate tree species to be considered for planting. 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 State Street, Oakleigh East:

State Street - Proposed Tree Renewal Plan(PDF, 1MB)

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 Tuesday 2 October 2018.

In State Street a total of nine votes were received. Six votes for Option 1, one vote for Option 2 and two votes for Option 3.

Your street has selected Option 1: “Acer campestre 'Evelyn' - Queen Elizabeth Maple" and "Acer truncatum x platanoides 'Taggert Sunset' - Truncatum Hybrid Maple".

Unfortunately the "Acer campestre 'Evelyn'- Queen Elizabeth Maple" can no longer be supplied by our growers, however the "Acer campestre 'Elsrijk' - Elsrijk Maple" is an almost identical replacement with the main difference being its height of growth being seven metres compared to eight metres.

The “Acer campestre ‘Elsrijk’- Elsrijk Maple” is a compact, slow growing small tree with a dense round canopy. It has small leaves with rounded lobes, dark green in summer, which turn a beautiful clear yellow in the autumn.

(Photo of Elsrijk Maple is available on: Jaguar Drive Survey page)

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 proactive annual maintenance program, where they will be checked and pruned if necessary as part of an annual program.

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.

Option 1 - Combination of species

Power line side

Acer campestre 'Evelyn' - Queen Elizabeth Maple

This is a small to medium deciduous tree with upright branching habit. Small leaves with rounded lobes, dark green in summer turning yellow in autumn. Flowers are green and inconspicuous.

Mature Size (h x w): 8-10 x 7m
Form: Round

Non-power line side

Acer truncatum x platanoides' Taggert Sunse' - Truncatum Hybrid Maple

This is very attractive small to medium-sized maple has glossy, dark green, sharply-lobed leaves, which change to a multitude of yellows, oranges and reds in autumn. Moderately fast growing, it is known to perform well in trying conditions. Flowers in late spring.

Mature Size (h x w): 12-15 x 10m
Form: Upright

Option 2 - Single species (both sides of the road)

Power line side/Non-power line side

Corymbia ficifolia'Wildfire' - Red Flowering Gum

This is a tough and compact Australian native that puts on a brilliant display of fiery red flowers throughout the summer months, providing an abundance of food for nectar-loving birds. This variety forms a dense canopy consisting of numerous branches and large, glossy, dark green foliage, which is highlighted by the lighter green undersides of the leaves. During the warmer months new foliage emerges with a reddish tinge.

Mature Size (h x w): 6 x 3-4m
Form: Round

Option 3 - Single species (both sides of the road)

Power line side/Non-power line side

Olea europaea 'Swan Hill' - Swan Hill Olive

This tree has slender, greyish-green foliage with a silvery underside. It is a relatively slow grower that responds well to pruning, however if left unpruned, it can grow as tall as it does wide. Bark is pale grey in colour and although this variety does produce white flowers in spring it is a low to non-fruiting variety.

Mature Size (h x w): 7-10 x 7-10m
Form: Round