Adopt and water a tree

Looking for Adopt a Tree Pit and Pollinator Pathways? Click here.

Watering and nurturing a new street tree

We plant street trees between November and March and attach a blue label asking for help to take care of and water them. You can help young street trees by watering them during the spring and summer period; 2 litres of water a day or, if you are watering less often, 5 litres every few days will help. Please keep safe: do not stand on the road when watering and be aware of other users of the street (pedestrians and vehicles).

If you "unofficially" adopt and water the new tree you should still adhere to the Terms and Conditions below - these are to keep you safe and ensure the tree is maintained properly.

Newly planted trees will not be included as part of our weed treatment programme, so maintenance from residents is encouraged and appreciated.

 

Terms and conditions

  • When working on the street you must be sensible and safe
  • You may not work from the road and you must be aware of other users of the street (pedestrians and vehicles)
  • Do not install any structures, such as a wooden border, or raise the soil level above the level of the footpath
  • Only the use of hand tools are permitted; however, the use of scythes, machetes and similar single bladed tools are not permitted
  • Gloves should be worn and please be aware that there may be broken glass and other litter in the tree pit
  • You may not dig in the tree pit or otherwise disturb the tree roots
  • You may not apply any pesticides

In addition to this:

  • You may litter pick and keep the tree pit and footpath outside your home clear of rubbish
  • You may remove low branches and low tree growth that are smaller in diameter than your thumb; only use secateurs and you should only remove branches to head height - please do not prune trees during the first three years of planting and do not prune branches overhanging a parked vehicle
  • Young trees that still have a support stake may be watered during the spring and summer period and 2 litres of water a day will help the tree establish
  • You will be responsible for the disposal of all cut material

 

Please see our website pages for council treesweed control and Sprucing up your neighbourhood for related information.