The Woollahra Local Government Area has a rich heritage of trees planted since the early development of the area. Woollahra also contains significant remnants of original trees, bushland and threatened plant species. Trees provide a backdrop to the diversity and history that make the area such a desirable place to live and work.

Trees benefit Woollahra’s urban environment in many ways.

Aesthetic benefits

• trees create a ‘sense of place’ and provide a distinctive character to an area
• trees can visually soften hard surfacing of the built environment and screen undesirable sights
• trees help create social wellbeing through seasonal variations of foliage colour and floral displays
• trees reflect cultural preferences and particular architectural and historical periods of an areas development.

Environmental benefits

• trees provide habitat for birds, possums, insects and other native animals
• trees help absorb water and reduce the volume of water run-off entering the Harbour
• trees reduce ultra-violet radiation and reduce heat energy absorption from surfaces such as bitumen or concrete areas
• trees absorb carbon dioxide, entrap airborne pollutants and return oxygen back to the atmosphere
• trees provide shade to residents and pedestrian using public footpaths.

Financial benefits

• trees can keep summer temperatures lower and reduce the need for energy consuming air conditioners
• tree-lined streets and well maintained gardens with trees enhances economic land value
• ‘leafy suburbs’ are recognised as maintaining higher land value than those areas without trees.