A recent spate of tree poisoning across the Bayside local government area shows that now is the time to support an Adopt a Tree Policy, Councillor Liz Barlow said.
"Recently there have been trees poisoned in Knight and Withers Street Arncliffe," Cr Barlow said.
"There are numerous trees poisoned in Bardwell Valley Parklands.
"Five trees have been poisoned in Glenfarne and two in Byrnes Street, Bexley. They were all large brush boxes, about 40 years old.
"One resident was so upset when she found the tree poisoned outside her home. She tried to save it but couldn't."
At the September Bayside council meeting, Cr Barlow submitted a Notice of Motion calling on the council to re-establish an "Adopt A Tree" Program similar to the program operated by the former Rockdale Council.
Rockdale Council had a program that encouraged residents to take pride in their street and local area and to adopt and care for a street tree planted outside or in the vicinity of their home.
Bayside Council has received a $100,000 grant from the NSW Government's Five Million Trees program to improve the green canopy in the local government area.
"This is particularly important in Bayside as, because of the airport, our LGA has the lowest tree canopy in Sydney. To support our project to increase the tree canopy in Bayside, it would be an ideal time to promote adopt a tree to the community," a council report said.
Cr Barlow told the council, "We do have a lack of people who care about trees, as proven in Arncliffe where a resident stole the trees from the street and threw them out.
"There is someone who actually hates brush box trees in our area and they have killed at least seven in two streets near my place," she said.
"You really have to go around the trees and see if there are drill hotels. People are drilling holes in trees and keep coming back and pouring oil in or poison.
"So it's up to the residents as well as the council to check on the trees and see if people have been drilling holes in them."
Cr Barlow had a message for residents who want an early start on an Adopt a Tree program.
"As this is the perfect planting season, please contact me on 0417490882 or your Ward Councillors if you would like a street tree outside your home," Cr Barlow said.
"Ask your neighbours as well as Council is happy to improve your streetscape."
