Known as a green and leafy suburb, Epping has long had a dense tree canopy. From backyard and street verges, to parks and sporting grounds, the suburb has many mature trees that offer shade, colour and a safe home to birds and animals. The suburb is also surrounded on the north and east side by the Lane Cove valley, including Terreys Creek.

But this is under threat as more and more mature trees are removed due to development, large and small. Unless a concerted effort is made to raise the profile of keeping the tree canopy, enhancing it, replanting and nurturing new trees, the area will change irreparably in coming years.

The Epping Civic Trust has set up this sub-group to particularly work on trees. Areas will include:

• Monitoring development applications and tree removal applications
• Liaising with council staff on reducing the number of tree removals
• Lobby councillors on better tree protection measures and an increased tree planting program
• Raising the profile of trees with residents so they monitor illegal tree destruction