Oscar given new lease of life

Six months after the City lost one of its most iconic trees, a special tree planting event has been held at Chichester Park, Woodvale, to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The planting of the commemorative tree replaces the loss of “Oscar”, one of the City’s most significant trees, which was removed in March 2022 due to declining structural integrity and safety concerns posed by a three-metre crack in its base.

Oscar brought great pleasure to generations of school students that attended the nearby North Woodvale Primary School and the wider community.

The City of Joondalup received funding from the Australian Government through the Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee program.

The tree planting will honour The Queen and her 70 years of service to Australia and the Commonwealth, and create a legacy for local community members to enjoy.

Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob said the grant funding will help the City create a legacy and increase the area of tree canopy to create cooler, inviting green urban spaces.

“This tree planting enables the City to celebrate Her Majesty’s Jubilee and begin a new tradition after having to farewell an icon in Oscar, one of the oldest trees of its kind within the City,” Mayor Jacob said.

“This tree will bear a commemorative plaque to honour Her Majesty’s Jubilee, and other trees will be planted at various locations across the City.

“We were very sad to say goodbye to Oscar, and many locals took the chance to bid farewell in the weekend before it was removed earlier this year, but the tree’s declining health posed an unacceptable risk to the primary school and passers-by.

“It was great to have students from North Woodvale Primary School involved in today’s planting, and we look forward to seeing the tree grow and mature in the years ahead.”

The tree planting aligns with the City’s Leafy City Program, which aims to increase leafy canopy cover through tree planting in its suburbs to help mitigate the environmental impact of climate change and rapid urban growth.

As part of the Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee program, the City will also be selecting one park in each of its 22 suburbs to receive three trees. Further details on the park locations will be determined and advised in due course.

Federal Member for Moore, Ian Goodenough said commemorative plantings provide great opportunities for participants to return in years to come and remember.

“In 1992, I helped plant a tree at my school grounds in Leederville to mark the Queen’s Ruby Jubilee. Returning 30 years later to see it grown brought back wonderful memories,” Mr Goodenough said.