Perth Voice Interactive

HAVING a leafy tree on the verge outside your house increases your median property value by more than $16,000, according to a new academic study.

Conducted by three academics—including UWA assistant professor Ram Pandit—the study analysed data from 23 northern Perth suburbs, including Stirling, Bayswater, Perth and Vincent. It found broad-leaved trees (not pine needle nor palms) increased the median property price in a street by about $16,889.

Professor Pandit says the survey covered around 92sqkm: “Trees on private property can increase maintenance costs and take up room, so they don’t tend to have a positive influence on property price,” he says.

“But verge trees, which are maintained by the council, do not incur any cost, barring the tree falling onto your property or another similar incident.

“Our survey didn’t extend to why the property price increased, for example, whether it was related to the extra shade provided or the aesthetic effect of the verge trees.

“Sometimes because of power lines, the verge trees have to be kept at a certain height and pruned, so that is another factor that can affect the level of shade.”

Professor Pandit adds a second related study on tree canopy density reveals similar findings on median house prices.

Town planner Greg Smith says people should now realise trees benefit both the environment and their wallets: “Anything that indirectly encourages local governments to plant more trees on verges and prevent an urban heat island is good news. I want Bayswater to be more proactive and live up to its Garden City motto by making our verges greener.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK