Trees

Planting, pruning and removing trees

Pruning is considered if a tree is causing a visibility hazard to road users or pedestrians, a public nuisance, a safety issue, or if leaves are falling onto private property. We also consider the impact of pruning on the tree's health and appearance. We do not remove tree debris from private property.

Removal is considered if a tree is dead, dying or potentially dangerous.

If you would like a tree pruned, contact us to arrange an inspection.​ Street or park trees should not be pruned or removed without Council’s permission – there are penalties for doing so.

After a tree is pruned or felled, you can collect firewood left onsite, but cannot use chainsaws or other machinery to do so.

In some streets, trees have caused damage to assets such as roads, footpaths and pipes, or may be unsuitable for urban areas. We are working on replacing these with a better option.

We generally plant new trees in autumn, so there may be a gap after a tree is removed. We use root guards and other methods to make sure new trees don’t cause the same sort of damage.

Before starting work, we contact residents for feedback and to give them an opportunity to choose the replacement species from a preferred list.

In new suburbs, planting the right species of street trees will protect essential infrastructure and utility services. Developers are responsible for selecting and planting street trees with approval from our Parks and Open Spaces Unit. 

Our approved tree species list helps developers choose appropriate trees (other species may be planted if Council agrees).

Guiding factors for selecting species include:

• road type - arterial or local
• neighbourhood character - existing or intended
• berm width - plantable area
• soil type and conditions - dry, well-drained, wet, windy etc.
• form, structure, and size at maturity - shape, number of trunks, spread of branches
• debris - fruit, large seeds or pods
• diversity - to limit pest and disease potential.