National Tree Day is celebrated on 28 July this year and on 26 July for schools involved in planting trees. The national day was initiated in 1996 by an Australian Not For Profit organisation called Planet Ark to encourage and support community tree planting and nature care. Since its inception, over 27 million trees have been planted through the programme.

Why are trees important?

Trees benefit our health – tree canopies act as a filter, trapping pollutants and helping to keep our air clean. They help to reduce noise and some have medicinal properties. Many studies have shown both the physical and psychological benefits of living in areas with more green space and tree canopy.

Trees benefit the environment – they absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon, so helping to reduce global warming. They soak up rainwater, help to prevent flooding and stabilise the soil. Tree canopies provide shade, reduce wind speed and cool the air.

Trees host complex micro habitats and provide a home for wildlife. Our native Tuart tree (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) is sometimes known as ‘nature’s boarding house’. Mature gum trees provide hollows for large nesting birds such as red-tailed black cockatoos.

Trees are connected underground by a ‘wood wide web’ – a complex network of fungi called a microrrhyzal network, through which trees can share nutrients and chemical messages.

Trees benefit the community by contributing to neighbourhood green space, social cohesion and social support.

Kings Park has about 40,000 trees, the vast majority of which are Australian natives. The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) has a Tree Management Policy which aims to preserve and enhance the trees in Kings Park and Bold Park.

Why not take a free Guided walk to celebrate National Tree Day or follow the self-guided special Tree Trail and admire and understand more about a selection of our incredible Western Australian tree species.

For Tree Trail map click here.

For more information about Planet Ark’s National Tree Day see here.