Trees and J L Murphy Reserve

An avenue of pin oaks has been planted - and the desert ash trees removed - along Williamstown Rd. People said they wanted a strong presence of large trees to bring colour and form to the Reserve. Unlike the plane trees which have to be pruned off the electrical lines, these trees can grow unimpeded. There aren't many places for planting specimen trees in Port Melbourne - and Murphy's Reserve is one such a place. The trees have been planted with optimism that they will be the mighty trees for future generations. The park planting in Murphy Reserve gives effect to Council's tree policy to achieve a mixed tree population - not over reliant on any one species - and a spread of trees of different ages across the municipality.

Rouse St trees

The long suffering wind buffeted trees in Rouse St have received some long awaited tlc. The compacted granitic sand has been broken up and replaced with some nutrient containing soil. The trees have been underplanted with lomandras in beds like those on the other side of Rouse St. The soil mix will allow better water penetration. Six dead trees will be replaced. This brings Rouse St [east] up to a comparable standard to Rouse St [west].

Its all happening in Rouse St

The struggling trees in Rouse St have been freshly encircled with mulch. Since I follow the health of these trees with avid interest, I stopped to take a photo - only to see that Kosdown is for sale! The property is advertised with the most magnificent real estate board you've ever seen. I believe Kosdown will be going to Salmon St. The trees have also been treated recently for a destructive leaf eating insect. Lets hope they start picking up now.

Rouse St west

Worried about some of the newly planted trees in Rouse St? So am I. All the trees have been inspected. Those trees that haven't made it will be replaced. Six trees that are not doing well will be fed. All will be closely monitored.

Trees in narrow streets and pedestrians

Sections of the kerb have been cut out to enable small trees to be planted in Seisman St. The design enables stormwater to flow to the trees. Pedestrian movement is not impeded by the tree planting.

Rouse St trees

Today the black shade cloth protection was removed from the trees in Rouse St and broken ties renewed. The trees are now assessed as being sufficiently robust to stand on their own.

Putting even more garden into Garden City

The morning sun illuminates the new trees planted in Fred Jackson Reserve, at the end of Centre Avenue.

Banksias, chinese elms and casaurinas are planted in groups through the Reserve.

Fred Jackson was a long serving Town Clerk of the City of Port Melbourne. You will find a plaque commemorating his service under a tree in the Reserve.

Gaps filled with new trees

Trees that had died in the Liardet St median have been replaced with young trees, as seen in the foreground of this photo.
The grand tree incorporated into the Park development makes its presence felt in that part of Liardet St.

Getting around the municipality

I think I have been obsessing about waste and recycling to the neglect of other topics.

In 2009/10

• the Community Buses have made 2,000 trips around the municipality and transported 27.168 passengers this year

If you would like to look at the Annual Accounts and Annual Report, they are available by clicking here

Serious tree roots

Just have a look at these roots taken out of a driveway in Clifford St, Port Melbourne where the fig trees were removed last month.
Every alternate tree was removed this year, and replaced with a young tree. The remaining trees will be removed and replaced with new trees next year.

August is magnolia time

This magnolia tree looked lovely against these Nott St houses.

Rouse St trees

The trees on Rouse St have been re-staked, and their wind protection re-instated.
It's a tough gig for trees on Rouse St - windy, shady, and attractive to vandals.
Some doubt the trees will succeed, but I am optimistic. The trees are Eucalyptus scoparia and you can see a photograph of the potential of these trees here.
If you search Port Focus by Rouse St you will see how far the trees have come. I have found this blog is a good way of tracking projects.

Improving Rouse St bit by bit

I am glad that these large kerb extensions on the corner of Johnstone & Rouse St have been planted up. Grass hasn't done well. The plantings will add some needed green to Rouse St.
Over the wild and windy weekend, trees in the Rouse St median were knocked over. This has been reported and I hope they will be re-staked soon.

Tree planting season

New trees being planted across Port Melbourne have been well watered in by all the recent rain.
Council has adopted a tree strategy which will guide tree planting to achieve over time

• an even tree cover across the municipality
• a balanced distribution of trees of all ages
• a mix of tree types - to reduce the risk of depending too much on any one type of tree
• a reasonable process to guide tree replacements, street segment tree renewals and a way to increase greening where trees can't be planted
• consideration of trees in any future planning especially where higher density development is anticipated

Planes pollarded

The London Plane trees along Williamstown Road have been pollarded, a form of pruning that regenerates growth to establish a canopy.
The high voltage transmission lines along Williamstown Road are low. Safe clearances are required by Energy Safe Victoria to be maintained for the safety of the tree pruning crews.
Since the transmission lines provide industries throughout Port Melboure with power, the power companies are reluctant to shut the lines down while pruning is undertaken.
In the background, the 'quartets' built in 1940 - nine blocks of four units each, built to respond to the acute shortage of decent housing at that time.

Trees - the Liardet Centre and Lagoon Reserve

Some of the most significant trees associated with the proposed Liardet St children's centre are actually outside the boundary of the proposed centre and will therefore be retained. This beautiful specimen tree is outside the boundary and will be protected and retained.

The trees to be retained and protected are

• eight street trees on Liardet St
• seven trees within Lagoon Reserve and
• fourteen trees within the site

A landscape plan is also required to be developed to increase the landscape quality of the proposal, provide shade to play areas and soften the appearance of the building.

Planting banksias in Beacon Cove

This perhaps over-wide nature strip on Beach St in Beacon Cove will be improved through the planting of a second line of banksia integrifolia, our local coastal banksia.
These houses, between Princes St and the light rail, were the first to be built in the Beacon Cove estate. Contrast the generous nature strips here with those built towards the end of the project where the houses are hard up against Beach Street.

Catching up on Port Focus

Eucalypt aromatherapy along Sandridge Beach this morning as mulch was being spread under this sculptural stand of trees.
Works are well underway on the pathways, lights, and playground with completion expected in August.

Next step taken towards an integrated children's centre on Liardet Street

Tonight Council resolved to issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit for the use of the land at 85 Liardet Street and 186 Esplanade West for the purpose of an 85 childcare centre and 50 place kindergarten and the removal of native vegetation.

Click here for the full council report.

Liquidamber history

Reader Lynette reports that this tree in Edwards Avenue 'was planted by my parents, Delsie and Cecil Simmons, most likely in the late 1940's or early 1950's. Mum first planted it in the front garden, but it was decided to move it to the naturestrip as it started to grow.'

Great to share these stories. Please keep them coming.