ABSTRACT
Planting locally unfamiliar tree species to assess their performance under urban conditions has been a major focus since TREENET was founded. Early species trials now provide valuable information, but they are limited in quantity, species diversity and spatial distribution. Familiarity with a wide range of resilient tree species is fundamental to addressing urban forestry’s needs in relation to urbanization, the changing climate, heat island effects, soil degradation and other challenges. To obtain and share the necessary knowledge TREENET is expanding its tree species trials project and seeking to collaborate with more councils and communities across the nation to introduce a greater range of species to urban cultivation. This presentation will reveal how TREENET is working to engage with communities to record and share existing local knowledge. It will provide an update on the progress of some early street tree species trials and will share ideas on how delegates might support new trials to contribute further to the knowledge base.
