Street trees in Sunnyside Road, Mount Waverley

The trees in Sunnyside Road, Mount Waverley have been nominated for renewal as part of Council’s Street Tree Strategy.

The Street Tree Strategy aims to enhance and preserve Monash’s street tree canopy to ensure it continues to be a source of neighbourhood and city pride. We hope to create engaging and inviting green spaces, encouraging walking, cycling and street activity and delivering tangible benefits to local communities.

Our focus is on preserving trees that are healthy and creating additional planting in local parks and reserves to boost greenery.

We will only be removing and replacing those trees that are dead, dying (with a useful life expectancy of less than two years) or dangerous (they pose a risk to the community in the short term).

Street Tree Assessments

Our arborists have completed individual tree assessments based on the above criteria and in Sunnyside Road, we are proposing to remove 2 trees and will be planting a total of 13 trees which includes an additional 11 trees in vacant locations.

Replacement Tree Species

Council's arborist has proposed 3 appropriate tree species to be considered for planting. In some cases, we will need to select 2 complementary species to be planted on either side of the road to accommodate constraints such as power lines, service pits and other infrastructure that exists within the street.

A proposed street tree renewal plan including all proposed tree removals, replacements and species choices has been drafted for Sunnyside Road, Mount Waverley:

Sunnyside Road - Proposed Tree Renewal Plan(PDF, 1MB)

If you would like a hard copy of the plan please contact council using the details below:

Survey Results

Council sought feedback (reply paid mail and online survey) on the preferred option of tree species directly affected residents would like to see planted in their street until Friday 18 September 2020.

Your street has selected Option 1 – “Hymenosporum flavum, Native Frangipani”.

In Sunnyside Road a total of nine (9) votes were received. Four  (4) votes for Option 1, two (2) votes for Option 2 and three (3) votes for Option 3.

The “Hymenosporum flavum, Native Frangipani”, although not related to the exotic form, bears highly fragrant flower clusters that start out cream and turn to yellow. Its flowers are great for attracting birds and native bees. We have found that in southern areas of Australia it performs best planted in the ground rather than in pots.

These trees will be planted in late June to July 2021 on both the power line and non-power line sides of the street.

Council will be responsible for the care of the new street trees for the first two years as they become established. However our residents can play a vital role in their successful establishment by keeping an eye on them and reporting to Council if they see the tree is not looking well or has been damaged.

The trees will then become part of Council’s annual tree maintenance program, where they will be checked and pruned if necessary.

Thank you for providing your feedback to renew your streetscape and Monash’s highly valued tree canopy.  

If you require any further information, please contact Lucas Skelton, Manager Horticulture on 9518 3555.


Option 1 - single species (both sides of the road)

Native Frangipani

Hymenosporum flavum (Native Frangipani)

Commonly known as the native Frangipani, although not related to the exotic form, this tree bears highly fragrant flower clusters that start out cream and turn to yellow. Its flowers are great for attracting birds and native bees. We have found that in southern areas of Australia it performs best planted in the ground rather than in pots.

Mature Size (h x w): 8 x 3 m
Form: Oval


Option 2 - Combination of species

Power line side

Elsrijk Maple

Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'(Elsrijk Maple)

A small tree with a dense round canopy and a somewhat corky bark. Small leaves with rounded lobes, dark green in summer, which turn a beautiful clear yellow in the autumn. Green inconspicuous flowers from September to October. Paired samaras spread throughout the tree and hang in clusters well into winter.

Mature Size (h x w): 7 x 3 m
Form: Oval

Non-power line side

Urbanite Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' (Urbanite Green Ash)

This tree is attractive and tough. It has a pyramid shape with a strong, upright trunk and develops grey-brown bark, which becomes deeply furrowed as it matures. Yellowish-green flowers are produced in spring and in autumn and dark green, glossy foliage turns a beautiful bronze colour before falling.

Mature Size (h x w): 11 x 8 m
Form: Round


Option 3 - Combination of species planted in an alternating pattern

Luscious Kanooka

Tristaniopsis laurina 'Luscious' (Luscious Kanooka)

An Australian native. Leaves are dark green, shiny and large. New growth starts in a distinctive copper colour and further interest appears over time with the branches developing deep purple coloured bark which peels back to reveal a smooth, cream trunk. Flowers are yellow and sweetly perfumed, appearing in clusters through summer.

Mature Size (h x w): 8 m x 4 m
Form: Oval

Crimson Sentry Norway Maple

Acer platanoides 'Crimson Sentry'(Crimson Sentry Norway Maple)

This is a flashy crimson foliaged maple with dense upright branching. It has a compact growth habit with its large crimson leaves in summer turning to gold and orange in autumn. Adds great colour contrast foliage. A small tree with greyish-black bark that is lightly textured.

Mature Size (h x w): 7 x 4 m
Form: Upright