More Trees for a Cooler Greener West:
Site Selection
Things to think about when selecting your planting sites.
You can choose to plant in one or multiple locations.
You can plant around the perimeter of the school or oval, or group the trees to form solid areas of vegetated shade.
Outdoor Learning Areas
EEV has signage available for some schools that are planting trees and shrubs as a group to form solid areas of shade.
These areas can be used as outdoor learning spaces. Think about a mix of shade and open areas so teachers can work with small groups or a whole class.
Shade
Many Principals are telling us that the playground can be hot in the middle of summer.
You may like to plant for shading play areas, paved areas or for shading buildings. Shading buildings can help reduce your energy costs by reducing solar exposure in summer.
Make sure you plant so that the light can penetrate in winter.
This is a great opportunity for students to learn about the angle of the sun at different times of year, and also for some very practical Mathematics.
Please seek advice from a suitably qualified arborist, landscape architect or gardener before planting close to buildings.
Perimeter plantings may also double as shade for footpaths to encourage students to walk to school.
Slowing Water and Preventing Erosion
Planting trees where water starts to run across the landscape can help slow the flow and prevent erosion happening further down hill.
Planting in areas where water drains to can also help plants establish.
Be careful with the species that are planted in boggy areas - only a special few can survive in those conditions.
This project is supported by the Victorian government through the “More trees for a cooler greener west” program.
Helping schools prepare for Climate Change through increasing urban tree cover.