Protecting the trees that protect us
An arborist talks about the benefits of trees in the built environment, and how to work with trees to achieve the best outcomes.
Canberra’s landscape is enhanced by the trees and plants in public spaces and in our gardens. Our majestic eucalypts, beautiful autumn leaves and spring blossoms are part of our identity as the bush capital.
What we enjoy today is the result of a century of care and investment. But Canberra’s landscape is facing new challenges. Our trees are aging, our population is growing, our weather is changing, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense.
In the face of a changing climate, trees in our cities are more important than ever. New tree protection laws have been developed to ensure all Canberrans can enjoy the benefits of trees and to make our city more resilient to the effects of climate change.
The challenge
Urban areas that are sparsely vegetated experience hotter temperatures during the day and at night. This is known as the “urban heat island effect”. In summer, the night-time temperature can be around 8°C warmer in Canberra’s built-up areas than in surrounding rural areas.
As Canberra’s population grows, more houses need to be built within the city’s existing footprint. Without the right rules in place, a more densely populated Canberra could end up with fewer trees. This would increase the urban heat island effect and make our community less resilient to the impacts of climate change.
The action
New laws have been developed to protect the trees that protect us. Arborists will be essential to the success of our new tree protection measures.
Ryan, an ACT Government Tree Protection Officer with twenty years of experience as an arborist in the private sector, is well qualified to speak about the new laws.
“The new rules say that you can’t remove a tree over a certain size without approval. Basically, by reducing the size of the trees that are now protected, more trees will be protected,” said Ryan.
“People often assume that if they are going into a tree protection zone, that’s it – you can’t do it. But if you’re using tree sensitive measures, you can do it. We can make minor encroachments on the tree protection zone and have both – have the house and have the tree.
“Hopefully people will start realising that trees aren’t an obstacle – we can do things around the trees and enjoy the benefits they bring.
“Whether it be developers, whether it be builders, whether it be the homeowners, the new rules will make people stop and think. Can they remove that tree if they want to, or can they just prune it? If they really must remove a tree, how can new trees enhance their project?
“I think generally Canberrans are going to appreciate the impacts of the new tree protection rules. The rules are going to allow us to stay the Bush Capital.”
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Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.