The days of Melbourne's boulevards being lined with exotic elm trees are numbered. A warming climate has prompted Melbourne City Council to reassess which tree species it will plant in the future.

And rather than sticking with the European elms, the city's landmark boulevards including St Kilda Road and Royal Parade will be lined with trees that can tolerate the higher temperatures forecast in the future. But don't think that automatically means gum trees.

Dave Kendal under a Morton Bay Fig tree, a species which could become more abundant in a warmer Melbourne. Credit:Eddie Jim

A report commissioned by council suggests North America's fiery foliaged red maple is a suitable candidate to replace the elms, some of which date back over a century.