Street tree trial
Investigating how best to prune street trees around South Australian Power Network (SAPN) lines.
The Town of Walkerville has been featured on Channel 9 show Outdoors Indoors to showcase Council's street tree trial planting project in conjunction with South Australia Power Networks.
The project involves planting new tree species in Vale Park that are considered suitable to locate under power lines.
Beautification Team Member and Arborist Dave Williams spoke to presenter Kim Syrus on the importance of street trees in the Town of Walkerville and the trial being undertaken along Lansdowne Terrace.
The Town of Walkerville is one of three South Australian Councils chosen to participate in the street tree trial, along with Mount Barker District Council and Whyalla City Council. Walkerville was selected as the State’s only metropolitan Council for inclusion in the street tree trial.
The trial commenced in May 2021 and involved the planting of almost 30 street trees – including Brachychiton populneus x acerifolius ‘Bella Pink’, Acer buergerianum and Corymbia eximia ‘Nana’.
The existing oleander trees had reached their useful life expectancy and Council replaced them with the new species to ensure appropriate height and prune requirements could be met underneath powerlines. Residents were informed of the trial by a letterbox drop completed in April 2021.
The project aligns with the Town of Walkerville Urban Forest Strategy, which aims to expand the local network of trees, as well as Council’s annual street tree planting program and desire to increase beautification in the Township.