Seedlings, trees and community planting

Building a greener future for Maitland

Our Greening Plan aims to enhance the urban environment with strategic plantings, seedlings, and street trees. These efforts help create a cooler, more sustainable city, improve air quality, and support a vibrant ecosystem.

Get involved

Join local planting events, request street trees, or use our free native seedling giveaway to help make Maitland greener and more resilient.

Upcoming Greening events

Native seedling giveaway

Maitland residents can attend seedling giveaway events held throughout the year to receive free native shrubs and groundcovers suitable for urban backyards, with shrubs typically growing up to 3-4 meters tall. Tenants are required to get landowner approval before collecting.

Each household can collect up to 6 seedlings for one property, available while stocks last. Proof of Maitland residency is required.

• Seniors Festival: 5, 6, 10 & 12 March, 9.30am
  Various library locations - check festival program for details. 
  Please note: Limit of 4 seedlings per property are applicable for Seniors Festival.
• Saturday 5 April, 9am
  Maitland Netball Courts, 36/44 Park Street, Maitland
• Tuesday 20 May, 9.30am
  All library branches - Maitland, East Maitland, Rutherford & Thornton

Community planting days

Council hosts Community Planting Days in Autumn and Spring, inviting residents to plant trees and ask environmental experts about biodiversity. Bring a hat, drink bottle, gloves, long sleeves, pants, and enclosed footwear to participate as we work together to green Maitland’s local spaces.

• Friday 11 April, 9am
  Cnr Somerset Drive & Sandalwood Ave, Thornton
• Sunday 13 April, 9am
  Lorn Foreshore car park, end of The Esplanade
• Thursday 17 April, 9.30am - 12pm
  Beryl Humble Oval, Metford Road, Tenambit
  This planting event will celebrate Youth Week and include art activities and a nature walk.  

Green Communities workshops

The Council runs periodic community workshops on living a more environmentally sustainable life, covering topics such as backyard gardening, waste management, stormwater management, energy and water use, and planting native vegetation.

• Creating a frog pond in your backyard workshop
  Saturday 15 March 2025, 10am to 12pm
  Gillieston Heights Community Hub, Cnr Redwood Drive and Pine Street, Gillieston Heights
  Join Tree Frog Permaculture to learn how to transform your backyard into a frog-friendly oasis!