3,000 free trees up for grabs

Published on 07 April 2021

The 2021 tree planting season will officially launch at Brooklyn Reserve on Saturday 24 April, 10am to 12pm, with free trees for Hobsons Bay residents and live entertainment.

Sixteen different species of trees will be available to choose from which have been specifically chosen for residential front and backyards in Hobsons Bay.

Residents can collect their tree anytime between 10am and 12pm and speak to a member of Council’s tree team for advice on the best tree for their property and tips for planting and caring for their tree.

Musician and circus performer Brendan Jones will draw crowds with his flaming trumpet and unicycle juggling.

Roving performers and nature lovers, The Connies, will revive the yarning, poetic and singing trammie tradition and share their beautifully crafted collectable swap-cards tailored for Hobsons Bay.

Enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate while our Conservation Rangers delight young and old with their taxidermy collection and extensive knowledge of Hobsons Bay’s flora and fauna.

The free tree giveaway and celebration is part of Council’s ambitious Urban Forest Strategy to increase the city’s tree canopy to 30 per cent by 2040 across public parks, streets and private residential zones and industrial zones.

Offering free trees to residents is one of many initiatives to encourage residents to plant trees in their front or back garden.

Council’s website will host videos on how to plant trees and advice on the best native and exotic tree species for front and backyards in Hobsons Bay.

To register for the event and for more information on the Urban Forest Strategy, visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/UrbanForestStrategy

Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Jonathon Marsden:

“The Urban Forest Strategy, which was adopted in 2020, will see Hobsons Bay go from a 7.5 per cent tree canopy to a 30 per cent canopy in 20 years. This year, Council will plant 8,500 semi-advanced trees, which is 6,000 more trees than our typical annual planting quota.

“For our ambitious target to be achieved, we need the support of all Hobsons Bay residents and businesses to plant more trees on private land.

“Trees can create privacy, shade, cleaner air, reduced ground temperature and enhanced liveability.  Due to its high Heat Vulnerability Index, Brooklyn has been identified as a priority area in the strategy and it’s fitting to launch the 2021 Tree Planting Season at Brooklyn Reserve.

“I encourage everyone to pick up a free tree from Brooklyn Reserve and plant it to remember the community resilience which emerged in 2020 or simply for the future. “