City Of Sydney To Give Trees Away To Residents

The City of Sydney will be giving one thousand trees away to residents on Saturday 28 March.

The trees will be distributed at the Sydney Park Road car park in Alexandria, between the Alan Davidson Oval and the skate park. Locals are invited to show up from 9am, and the distribution will take place until 1pm or when all the trees are gone. Identification will be required to ensure that tree-seekers reside in the council area.

“The event is popular, so arrive early to avoid disappointment,” the City advises.

Each household may take two trees, consisting of either two bay trees or one bay and one citrus tree.

Wide variety of trees on offer

There is a range of 25 types being given away, ranging from exotic species to those locally indigenous and native to Australia. These include the frangipani, weeping bottlebrush, lemon, Chinese hibiscus and water gum geni, among many others.

The trees vary widely in terms of their growth rates, whether they produce fruit or flowers, whether they are vulnerable to drought and how much of a canopy they provide.

Whilst the smallest type on offer is the port wine magnolia from China, the largest is the tulipwood, which hails from eastern Australia.

Some are deciduous, losing their leaves in autumn and growing new ones in spring, whereas others are evergreen.

Interested residents are encouraged to speak with council staff on the day for advice on looking after their trees.

Trees will contribute to City’s environmental objectives

The City of Sydney aims to increase the local tree canopy, to cover 27 per cent of the council area by 2050. “This makes Sydney cooler, improves air quality and provides a better habitat for birds and animals.”

With the effects of climate change, the urban canopy — that is, the coverage of built-up areas by shade-rendering trees — has become increasingly important. Trees mitigate extreme heat.

Recent research by Macquarie University found that a typical suburban knock-down rebuild sees more than sixty per cent of the tree canopy, and nearly half of the front garden, eliminated.

For City of Sydney residents, picking up a free tree on the weekend is a free way of feeling good.