Better streets & spaces  |  21 Feb 2022

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We’re known as the Garden City of New Zealand so our street trees are integral to the Ōtautahi Christchurch identity.

Trees generally bring a large range of environmental, economic and social benefits and this is particularly relevant to trees located along our streets.

They store carbon and provide shade and shelter from the elements, absorbing air pollution and helping cool the city.

In heavy rain trees help with storm water management and they provide habitats for birds and insects, helping to increase our biodiversity.

Did you know that Christchurch City Council maintains no less than 63,000 street trees across the city and Banks Peninsula!

The recently adopted Tree Policy has also included a requirement for two trees to be planted for every tree removed and work is currently underway on the Urban Forest Plan.  These two documents will result in even more trees.

Ginko bilboa is one of many different tree species planted on Christchurch streets.

While this is a lot of trees - not every street will have street plantings.

For trees to grow well they need enough space both above and below ground; if the berm is too small there won’t be enough room for the tree to flourish.

Factors like visibility for road users and sufficient space for the tree to grow up and out are also taken into account.

There’s a wide range of species planted in Christchurch including magnolia, oak, plane, pohutukawa, ginko and kowhai.

Tree planting generally occurs in the winter months, from May to August as this gives them the best possible start in life!

Sometimes multiple streets in an area are planted with the same or similar tree species which helps to give neighbourhoods their special character and feel.

When deciding what species of tree to plant we consider the attributes of the site such as exposure to wind, the characteristics of the tree and the landscape character of the area.

It’s about planting “the right tree in the right place.”

Street Talk is a series of stories exploring our city streets.