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About this consultation

Our Trees Team recently reviewed the street trees along the nature strip in Milfay Court, Balwyn North.

The nature strips are wide, but the grafted Bechtel Crab Apple trees are small and they provide no shade or cooling benefit. Several trees are growing poorly. We want to plant better trees and increase canopy cover along the street.


We propose to:

  • remove all nature strip trees
  • plant new trees
  • where necessary, undertake soil improvement before we plant.

We would like your feedback on tree removal and which of the suggested replacement species you prefer.

The proposed changes to Milfay Court street trees are in line with our:

  • Tree Management Guidelines 2010
  • Tree Canopy Strategy 2024–34.

    • Proposed changes

    We propose to remove and replace all nature strip trees in Milfay Court with one of 3 new options:

    • Kurrajong, Brachychiton populneus
    • Edgeworth Ornamental Pear, Pyrus calleryana x betulifolia 'Edgedell'
    • Chinese Elm, Ulmus parvifolia 'Burnley Select'.

    We've investigated the placement of services along the street and we expect to be able to plant 15 new trees.

    The photo below shows where trees could be removed and where new trees could be planted. You can slide the arrows in the centre of the photo to see the proposed changes.

    Before: Aerial image of Milfay Court with red crosses indicating 14 trees to be removed After: Aerial image of Milfay Court with green circles showing location of 15 proposed new trees

    Proposed tree types

    We propose to replace nature strip trees in Milfay Court with one of these 3 new options:

    • Kurrajong

      Brachychiton populneus

      Expected mature height x width: 6 x 6 metres

      Medium-sized, evergreen Australian tree has smooth, grey bark, robust trunk and branches and dark green leaves. In summer, tree produces bell-shaped white flowers with purple-speckles. Small woody fruit capsules are held on the tree, so produce limited litter. Orange seeds are a food source for native birds.

      Main image of mature tree in Neave St, Hawthorn East. Right side images show leaves, flowers, and capsules with seeds.

    • Edgeworth Ornamental Pear

      Pyrus calleryana x betulifolia 'Edgedell'

      Expected mature height x width: 8 x 6 metres

      Medium-sized rounded deciduous tree with orange-brown bark. Glossy green leaves turn orange, red and purple in autumn before falling. White flowers in early spring develop into small, round orange-brown fruit in autumn that are held on the tree. Fruit may provide food for local birdlife.

      Main image shows young tree in street. Upper right image shows spring flowers. Lower right image shows autumn leaf colour.

    • Chinese Elm

      Ulmus parvifolia 'Burnley Select'

      Expected mature height x width: 7 x 5 metres

      Medium-sized deciduous tree with decorative, patchy grey and orange-coloured bark and glossy mid- to dark green leaves turning yellow in autumn. Flowers, and flat papery fruit are tiny and not noticeable, though seeds may attract native birds in autumn.

      Main image: Mature tree in Tannock St, Balwyn North. Upper right image shows small glossy green leaves. Lower right image shows patchy orange-grey coloured bark.

    Who can take part

    • Residents of Milfay Court. We will accept the first response received from each property address.
    • Non-resident property owners (landlords). We will accept the first non-resident response received for each property.


    How to have your say

    Have your say on the proposed changes by completing our survey below. It takes 5 minutes or less. We will ask for your name, address and email. All reporting is anonymous.

    You can also request a paper survey by phoning 03 9278 4444.

    This consultation closes at 5 pm on Thursday 5 June 2025.


    What happens after this consultation

    We will advise you of the survey outcome. If there is majority support for tree replacement, we will plan the tree removals and planting. If responses are mixed or unclear, we may undertake a further survey of residents.