We have more than 1200 parks and reserves across Ōtautahi Christchurch and Banks Peninsula with targets to increase tree canopy cover over the next 50 years.
Trees play an important role in combating the effects of climate change. They soak up carbon, and bring other benefits, such as reducing ground temperatures, aiding in stormwater management and filtering air pollutants.
Trees define our parks, neighbourhoods, and streets and are an essential part of Ōtautahi Christchurch’s character and identity. Trees provide space for us to relax and play, a home for birdlife, insects and other wildlife, enhancement of our environment, are a source of food to nourish and heal us, and improve our wellbeing.
For these reasons, we are undertaking an ambitious tree planting program across the city to increase the canopy cover.
We are also aware that trees can have a negative impact on some people. Trees can cause excessive shade, debris, damage to property and nearby infrastructure and cause concerns over safety. These negative impacts can be avoided through carefully selecting the right tree in the right place to complement the local environment, so our tree planting plans are guided by our Urban Forest Plan.
Find out how we developed our targets, and why we want to increase tree canopy cover in local parks.
Tree species diversity is important to maintain a healthy tree population. The greater the diversity, the more resilient our urban forest will be to threats – particularly the effects of climate change, and pests and disease. Ideally, we need no more than 30% from one family, 20% from a single genus or 10% of trees from a single species. We also need to take steps to protect the natural diversity of our local indigenous fauna through the use of locally-sourced plants.
With bigger canopies and root systems, larger trees maximise benefits such as carbon sequestration, stormwater management and shade. However, smaller trees are also valuable in places where space is restricted.
We’ve listened to feedback from residents and have designed these tree planting plans using a recession plane model, so we can manage the impact of shading on neighbouring properties and sports fields.
We’re aiming for 40% canopy cover across our parks. In some parks this will be higher, and in some parks lower, depending on how the park is used and the space that’s available for planting. For example, in parks which don’t have sports fields, we’re making sure we retain some open spaces.
While we’re aiming to get as much as we can done in this planting season, planting within each location will be progressive and not necessarily involve planting all trees shown in a plan within a single season.
Currently, our urban forest is not spread across our communities evenly, so the benefits are not felt by everyone to the same extent.
Distribution of canopy cover across Ōtautahi Christchurch at 2018/2019
One of the objectives of the Urban Forest Plan is to increase the visibility of our native species, one way to do this is to plant more native species within our parks. We are also creating a network of native forest patches across the city, this is a method where patches of native vegetation are spaced at strategic locations across the city to help our bush birds return and connect us with nature.
While we receive a lot of messages requesting an increase in native species, we also hear from people who are concerned that they will loose the large exotic trees that are so prominent in parts of our city. Although there will be a focus on planting more native tree species within our parks, we will also continue to plant exotic trees as well, particularly in parks which have an existing character or heritage theme.
Fruit trees can feed the local community and also form a space were people can come together for a common goal. Council has a process for requesting fruit trees and/or a community garden to be included in your local park.
Have questions or want to learn more about a project? Contact us:
| letstalk@ccc.govt.nz |
