Perth is growing fast, and with that growth comes the challenge of hotter, drier summers and the pressing need to design cooler, more resilient neighbourhoods.
To ensure our city remains liveable for future generations, we need to adopt sustainable strategies to combat the challenges of urban heat. That means acting on two fronts: taking advantage of the cooling power of mature trees today, while also planting and nurturing new trees to secure long-term benefits. Both established and newly planted trees have a vital role to play in shaping the future of our urban landscape.
Why Mature Trees Matter
Different species reach maturity at different times, but as a guide, a medium-sized tree such as a Marri typically takes around 20 years to reach early maturity at 10–12 metres tall. By this stage, its canopy can provide benefits equivalent to around 100 newly planted 200L trees.
Mature trees are critical in addressing today’s urban heat. They lower surrounding temperatures, create shaded spaces, filter the air, and provide oxygen, all while enhancing the character and beauty of our suburbs and parklands.
The Challenges of Growing Mature Trees
Once a tree reaches maturity, it delivers its full range of benefits. However, getting trees to this stage is not always straightforward.
Research and industry feedback suggest that fewer than one in four trees planted in Perth’s urban settings are likely to grow into healthy, worthwhile mature specimens. In some areas, anecdotal evidence indicates the survival rate may be as low as 10%. This highlights the importance of not only planting trees, but also managing and maintaining them carefully to ensure they thrive long enough to reach maturity.
Planning Ahead for Perth’s Future
As Perth continues to grow, space for new trees is becoming more limited. That makes it even more important to ensure that the trees we plant today are given the best chance to develop into strong, established specimens for the future.
Ongoing planting programs, combined with effective care and long-term planning, are essential if we want to maintain the canopy cover needed to keep Perth a cool, enjoyable, and liveable city.
Get in touch with us today!
📧 ua.moc.ertnecrobra@seiriuqne
📞 (08) 9359 9300
visit www.arborcentre.com.au