Melbourne's plane trees to be replaced by species resistant to climate change

Council to gradually get rid of ubiquitous trees from CBD to plant Moreton Bay figs, jacarandas and sweet gums

The London plane tree, a divisive staple of many Australian city streetscapes, will be gradually removed from Melbourne's central business district and replaced with species resistant to climate change such as Moreton Bay figs, jacarandas and sweet gums.

London plane trees make up 70% of the tree population in Melbourne's inner city. While admired by some for their hardiness and environmental benefits such as providing extensive cooling and shade, the trees are also unpopular for shedding leaf and shoot hairs, known as trichomes, during the same period that grass pollen levels are at their highest.