'Look around Pearl Beach' - GUST urges

The Grow Urban Shade Trees group has urged Peninsula residents to look around Pearl Beach to see the benefits of tree canopy.

"The bountiful dappled shade enjoyed at Pearl Beach is not cast by shrubs or small trees but by taller trees, the heavy-lifters lining the streets and gardens," said group member Ms Jen Wilder.

"The real heroes at Pearl Beach are the tall and abundant angophora floribunda.

"Angophora costata, coastal banksia, paperbark and southern mahogany are there helping too, amongst others, but its the large quantity and size of the angophora floribunda that add the most shade and value to this highly desirable location.

"There is even a plaque labelling one spectacular specimen on Diamond Road.

"The collective effect of so many taller trees speaks for itself.

"Is it any wonder why experts call for at least 40 per cent urban canopy cover?

"Take a walk around Pearl Beach or look at realestate.com if you need proof of the value of canopy," she said.

"Here at GUST, we are not scientists but we do listen and learn from those who understand the science.

"We have learned that:

"Without trees, surface runoff and soil evaporation are high.

"With trees, water is collected and stored. This stored water is then released into the atmosphere from the leaves.

"Through this transpiration, the surrounding air is cooled as water changes from liquid to a vapour resulting in a cooling effect.

"Standing under a tree on a hot day cools us.

"If we had hundreds of trees along our streets, our whole suburb would be cooler in summer.

"Let's make the most of this rain and plant a tree."

SOURCE:

Social media, 2 Jan 2022

Jen Wilder, GUST