Tree Pruning or Removal Guidelines
Bayside council has guidelines for pruning or removing trees on either private land, or managed public lands.
Bayside Council’s policies, procedures and guidelines are designed to protect and enhance the trees in the community while making sure they are safe. Requests for tree removal or pruning are assessed on an individual basis to balance the needs of the community and environment.
Private Land – When it is Acceptable to Prune or Remove a Tree
Tree Permits/applications will be considered on their merit such as:
- Pruning to provide clear access and vision to vehicles and/or pedestrians.
- Selective pruning of branches to provide clear vision to street signs.
- Pruning to provide a minimum clearance of two metres from infrastructure such as a building
- Removal of hazardous trees.
- Maintenance pruning to remove dead, diseased, dying and defective branches.
- Selective pruning of neighbouring trees back to fence line, pruning back to collar or fork.
- Removal of trees in conflict with built structures, where all engineering alternatives have been considered.
- Root pruning of trees to ameliorate damage to built and natural structures in such a manner as to not compromise the health of trees.
Public Land – When it is Acceptable to Prune or Remove a Tree
Council is responsible for trees on nature strips, parks and public places. Council will assess trees to make sure they are healthy and safe.
Council’s criteria for tree pruning and removal include but is not limited to:
- Clearing pedestrian and vehicular thoroughfare
- Safety by removing deadwood or structurally unsound branches or trees
- Building and services clearances
- Improved vehicle line-of-sight
- Formative pruning of young trees
- Improve their health
It is possible to request this via the council online system.
Private/Public Land – When it is Unacceptable to Prune or Remove a Tree
The following situations will not generally be considered as justifiable reasons to prune public trees or native vegetation:
- Leaf /sap/resin/seed/flower/fruit drop, bird or bat droppings, as these are all natural processes of trees and wildlife
- To improve street lighting into private property
- To improve views
- To allow for rooftop solar panels
- To facilitate minor household renovations where other engineering alternatives have not been explored.
- Prune/remove trees near powerlines.
- Remove structural roots
- Back to fence/property lines
- To mitigate seasonal allergies
- Break any law that is there to protect trees
Tree Pruning or Removal on Private Property Application
You will need to apply for a permit before you prune or remove a tree on your property.
Requests for tree removal or pruning are assessed on an individual basis to balance the needs of the community and environment.
Read more: Tree Pruning or Removal on Private Property Application