Gift trees help green Dalyellup

Capel Shire Council is attempting to make Dalyellup greener through its Tree Giveaway Project.

The council is giving away 100 trees to Dalyellup residents in a pilot project to make urban areas greener and maintain them as nice places to live.

Residents have until October 28 - or until all trees are claimed - to take up the offer on a 'first in' basis.

Capel shire sustainability officer Evan Gray said the project also had environmental benefits.

"Trees obviously absorb carbon dioxide and other pollution, but also the more I research the benefits of this, the more I find," he said.

"It also provides a habitat for birds and other wildlife, as well as keeping urban areas cooler when there's lots of concrete."

The project is funded by the council, with one per cent of the council's rate revenue set aside for climate change initiatives.

Mr Evans said Lakeside Nursery in Stratham had worked with council staff to select trees suitable for Dalyellup.

"They are all small to medium-sized trees that are well-behaved and include trees that provide shade or screening or are deciduous," he said.

Trees such as peppermint, kings park bottlebrush, native frangipani, ornamental pear and crepe myrtle are being given away through the project.

The trees are about two to three years old and usually cost about $20 each.

Residents will also receive a 25-litre bag of compost and be provided with a briefing session on how to plant and look after their tree.

Residents on ranch blocks are not eligible for the project.

Mr Evans is hoping to continue an annual tree giveaway project and expand to other urban areas within the shire.