Griffith University researchers are calling on the community to share what trees in their neighbourhoods fell or were damaged during Tropical Cyclone Alfred, to better inform urban planning and decisions around tree species selection.
Led by Green Infrastructure Research Labs (GIRLS) in the School of Engineering and Built Environment, the survey went live shortly after TC Alfred struck the South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales regions in March 2025, resulting in flooding, power outages and infrastructure damage.
The survey asks participants to share their experiences and photos of fallen trees in and around their suburbs, via an online, five-minute questionnaire.
Ecological engineer and GIRLS Founder Dr Ruby Michael said the data collected from the survey would shed light on which tree species were particularly vulnerable.
“Responses from the community would also allow our team to collect characteristics about fallen or damaged trees during TC Alfred, including their height and rare information about their root systems which may be restricted or damaged by roads and footpaths,” Dr Michael said.
“Working together with arborists and landscape architects, this will help our team and other researchers inform local governments to enhance the resilience of our urban forests for future cyclonic events.
“Many participants in the survey are saddened by the loss of trees from the cyclone mentioning the flowers and shade they will miss and acknowledging their value for local wildlife and koalas.
“The survey results will help us establish greater knowledge to encourage appropriate species selection and their care requirements in our diverse suburbs.”
Dr Michael and her research team hoped the collected data would be useful for creating strategies and management approaches to managing our street trees.
Do you have photos of fallen street trees?
Take the survey and share them here.
ENDS
