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.

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.

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.

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

Private Land – When it is Acceptable to Prune or Remove a Tree

Public Land – When it is Acceptable to Prune or Remove a Tree

Private/Public Land – When it is Unacceptable to Prune or Remove a Tree

Tree Pruning or Removal on Private Property Application

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