Tree Museum was inspired by Joni Mitchell’s song ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ in which she sings, “They paved paradise//and put up a parking lot.” Following the 2010-2011 earthquakes residents in Christchurch were asked what kind of city they wanted and the top response was “a green city.”

The Tree Museum serves as a place for locals and visitors to learn about nine native trees that made up the original ecosystem in Christchurch. A place for people to cherish trees that are rarely seen in our city today and to reflect on what city they want to build.