Up to 200,000 new trees needed in Melbourne to avoid affecting quality of life, research finds

Exclusive: Report by housing group says 24.3 hectares of residential tree canopy cover could be lost each year due to densification across inner city

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Up to 200,000 trees will be needed across inner Melbourne to prevent a widespread loss of canopy – and associated impacts to quality of life – from the planned construction of 800,000 new homes, research suggests.

A new report by housing advocacy group Yimby Melbourne, released on Wednesday, estimates 24.3 hectares (60 acres) of residential tree canopy cover – the equivalent of six cricket ovals – could be lost each year as a result of densification across the 19 local government areas (LGAs) that make up inner Melbourne.