Tree Planting

In the place of the people, formal tree planting reflects the ground pattern of roads and formal spaces and it is the tree planting which establishes the character and beauty of the spaces.

This initiative proposes to conserve and strengthen the existing planting and to introduce new tree planting that will attract native birdlife and create shelter, scale, interest and a special character to each of the campuses.

The Land Axis and Commonwealth and Kings Avenues are important elements in making the Parliamentary Zone legible. To maintain the definition of the geometry of the Zone, there must be a long- term strategy for the replacement of trees.

With its central location, length, width and the stark contrast between the turf and the eucalypts, the Land Axis has a powerful presence in the place of the people. Unfortunately the health and vigour of the trees along the Axis varies considerably and in some areas, especially toward the lake, trees are missing. It is proposed to replace trees and to extend the planting where appropriate to preserve the visual strength of the Land Axis.

The tree planting on Commonwealth and Kings Avenues is patchy and reflects different attitudes to avenue planting over the generations. There is an assortment of native, coniferous and deciduous species that requires rationalisation. The Chinese Elms (Ulmus chinensis) which were planted for quick effect are now compromising the growth of the English Elms (Ulmus procera) and their progressive removal has commenced. The original design intent of the avenue planting - to provide a backdrop of coniferous evergreen trees contrasting with the deciduous trees at the street edge - made the avenues legible in the broader landscape and distinctive throughout the seasons. A consistent approach to replacement tree planting will be undertaken to reinstate this intent.

There are other formal spaces that reflect Walter Burley Griffin’s plan with its terracing, and the 1920s road layout. These spaces and streets, which include Parkes Place and Queen Victoria, King George and King Edward Terraces, create a series of important cross axes and lateral spaces. The trees that establish these spaces are a mixture of exotic evergreen and deciduous species.

A consistent approach to replacement planting is proposed to conserve the clarity and character of these spaces. For example, red autumn foliage along the avenues, with accents of yellow at intersection points, will help to define special routes and places of interest. The brighter foliage of deciduous trees will also emphasise the major groupings of buildings and offer sun and shade control at various times of the year.

The East-West Promenade between the National Gallery of Australia and the National Library of Australia will create a major new lateral space. Here, tree planting will be used to identify this as a new cross axis mimicking the older tree planting of the avenues.

Tree planting is fundamental to the enduring design concept of Canberra and to the character and structure of the place of the people.