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Australian Local Government Areas (LGA) failure to compensate their 30% urban tree canopy benchmark depletion: leading to hotter treeless medium density suburbs. This paper presents an Optimal Residential Tree arrangement (ORTa) concept for technical policy guideline updates, as an effective pioneer energy–efficient approach. ORTa is a multi-criteria sustainability framework promoting tree inclusion, deep soil management, soft landscape volume, biodiversity, long-term energy and water conservations and enhanced resident wellbeing. This study has three phases: first phase integrates current urban development and scattered open site assessment; the second phase analyses long term climate-building response, utilising Fourier series solar dependency data, resulting in accurate air and surface temperature predictions. The third phase adds evapotranspiration to AccuRate software, integrating field work data, to calculate crucial tree allocation parameters, validating bi seasonal optimisation criteria. We then evaluate Adelaide and Perth ORTa variations, with a 2050+ climate forecast. Adelaide’s longer winters and higher wind velocity affect energy reduction results, with Perth showing double annual conservation. ORTa encourages governments, and accreditation bodies, to value tree microclimate modification strengths and provide stakeholders with education, inspiration and support. CSIRO 2050+ climate projections, strengthen our hypothesis, demonstrating ORTa’s 80% climate retention. ORTa policy inclusion will transform research and future tree canopy cover and net-zero strategies.

Keywords: Nature-based solution, Optimal residential tree arrangement, Energy efficiency, Resilient neighbourhood.

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