Project: Large scale container trees for the Bourke Street Mall beautification, Melbourne.
Client: Melbourne City Council, Victoria, Australia.
In October 2004 Metro Trees was contracted by the City of Melbourne in the taxon selection and procurement; galvanized planter fit-out and logistic management for the movable large scale container trees for the Bourke St Mall. This is a unique project in that large trees can be changed throughout the year to reflect the season and the activities taking place in the Mall.
Twelve Ficus macrophylla (Moreton Bay Fig) trees were firstly selected at 4.5m height and installed into large four cubic meter galvanized planters (weighing 4.2 tonne). These planters are equipped with top demountable fork lift channels to allow for the lifting and movement of the trees (minimizing damage to the canopy and tree trunk). Metro Trees ensured that the Moreton Bay Figs (purchased from central coast New South Wales) were thoroughly acclimated to Melbourne conditions on site at Alphington Victoria 12 weeks prior installation in the Mall.
In November 2006 the Figs were removed and held at Metro Trees Docklands Nursery and Christmas trees using the similar galvanized planters filled their place for the Bourke St Mall Christmas 2006 festivities. These Christmas trees were then swapped in January 2007 with the original Figs.