Find out about tree maintenance and removal requests and guidelines to protect street trees.
In the interest of public safety and for the health of the trees, only the City or its licensed contractors are authorised to carry out any pruning of street trees.
If there are concerns that the tree is a hazard, damaged, diseased, dangerous or dead, the City will investigate and arrange the most appropriate action. It is an offence to interfere with the soil or anything on local government property or take anything from land which is local government property – this includes to damage, injure, prune, remove or kill a tree.
Maintenance and removal requirements
How to apply for street tree maintenance
Please refer to the Tree Management Guidelines (PDF) and request the maintenance of street trees on your property online.
The City recognises the importance of preserving trees for the current community and for future generations.
Requirements
City may remove trees under the following criteria:
- The tree is dead, in decline or past its safe useful life
- The tree has been deemed, by a suitably qualified person, as a hazard to persons or property and no pruning techniques can alleviate the hazard
- The tree is diseased or damaged past the point of recovery and no remedial treatment will be effective
- A development approved by the City deems the removal necessary, in which case the developer shall be responsible for the amenity value, removal, replacement and establishment costs of a replacement tree
- The tree has been planted by a resident without the City’s approval and may be removed at the resident’s expense
- The tree is deemed by the City to be an inappropriate species for that location.
Exclusions
Trees will not be pruned or removed for any of the following reasons:
- Falling leaves, bark or fruit causing a nuisance
- The variety is disliked or a resident’s preference is for a different species
- A perceived danger that the tree or a limb may fail
- Perceived damage to infrastructure
- The tree shades lawns, gardens, houses, pools, solar panels, etc
- To enhance or clear views, inclusive of advertising signage
- Allergy and/or health problems
- For the installation of non-essential crossovers or verge paving.
Street trees are the property of local government. The City, or its licensed contractors, are the only authority permitted to remove a street tree. Any unauthorised removal of trees within the City, undertaken by persons other than the City or its licensed contractor, is an offence and prosecution can occur.
How to apply for the removal of trees
- Please refer to the Tree Management Guidelines (PDF)
- To request the removal of a tree complete the online form. Please note, that submitting a request to remove a tree does not guarantee its removal.
Many individual and groups of trees are highly valued by the community, including remnants of the original vegetation of the area now left within an urban environment. These trees hold significant value for their visual/aesthetic, botanic/scientific, ecological and historical, commemorative, cultural and social aspects.
The City values the shade, habitat and amenity provided by trees on land owned or managed by the City and commends practices which seek to preserve mature trees where possible.
Significant tree requirements
Please refer to the Tree Management Guidelines (PDF).
Significant Tree Register
The City maintains a Significant Tree Register. This include trees on land owned or managed by the City that are assessed as meeting the requirements of the City’s guidelines for the assessment of significant trees.
For each tree or group of trees on the Significant Tree Register, a statement of significance and a management plan shall be prepared by the City in consultation with an arborist. The City will undertake maintenance work as required to ensure the overall health of the tree/s on an ongoing basis.
Any tree or group of trees that is not on the register, but are considered to be worthy of listing, may be nominated for the City to undertake an assessment and listing consideration in accordance with the City’s guidelines for the assessment of significant trees on land owned or managed by the City.
How to nominate for the Significant Tree Register
To recommend trees to be considered for inclusion in the Significant Tree complete the online form.
The City is working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) to help stop the spread of invasive pest, the Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB).
PSHB is a serious issue across the Perth metropolitan area, leading to the loss of trees and canopy cover.
How you can help
If you suspect borer damage, report it to DPIRD on 9368 3080, email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au, or via the MyPestGuide app.
To assist DPIRD, residents with a box elder maple tree on their property or street should report the location of these trees, so DPIRD can check if they are infested with PSHB. Refer to DPIRD's Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) Australian Host List (PDF).
If you want to plant any new trees, consider planting a suggested species. Refer to DPIRD's Planting to help support eradication of PSHB information sheet (PDF).
Is PSHB in the City?
PSHB has been discovered in the City of Joondalup by DPIRD and are being managed. Refer to the DPIRD's Quarantine Area Map (PDF) to see the current spread of PSHB in Perth.
For further information about PSHB, visit the DPIRD website.
Development guidelines to protect street trees
The City encourages residents to develop plans which retain existing street trees.
Should a tree(s) still need to be removed (after building plan approval) due to the building works or the crossover location, the owner and/or builder will be required to reimburse the City for the amenity value of the tree(s) (Helliwell Method) and the costs incurred for removal and a replacement tree.
About the Helliwell Method
The Helliwell Method is a system used for visual amenity valuation of individual trees and woodlands. It was originally devised to make logical decisions in the planning and management of woodlands and urban tree populations.
Residents and developers are not permitted to undertake (or engage a contractor to undertake) removal or maintenance of street trees. Should it be found that a street tree has been damaged or removed, the property owner may be liable for the amenity value of the tree/s on the verge.
Frequently asked questions
There is no specific limit to the height that a tree is allowed to grow on private property.
Please note that trees are living organisms and over time their condition may change. It is a property owner’s responsibility, therefore, to inspect their trees regularly and to ensure that they are in a safe condition.
The City recommends that you first talk with your neighbour to try and resolve the issue. There is no law that states that residents are responsible for removing leaves which fall onto neighbouring property. Whilst the City acknowledges that this may cause some frustration, the dropping of leaves is a natural occurrence, especially on a windy day, and is a part of living in an urban environment.
Where a branch or root from a neighbouring property encroaches upon your land, you are entitled to cut and remove the offending branch or root at any point up to the boundary of your land. You must not cut the branch or root on your neighbour’s side of the boundary without their agreement. Nor are you entitled to enter the neighbouring property to do this without prior permission.
If a branch or root comes onto your side of the fence you are permitted to:
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Cut off the branch to the point where it overhangs your property.
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Dig up the root and remove it up to the boundary of your land.
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Do not cut the branch or dig up the root on your neighbour’s side without their prior agreement.
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Do not cause unnecessary damage to the health of the tree. You are not required to tell your neighbour of your intention to cut their trees back from your property; nevertheless, it is a good idea to let them know beforehand that there is a problem and what you intend to do about it. Under common law a tree usually belongs to the land on which it is growing and is the property of the owner of the land, regardless of how it came to be there.
Any branch or root, or any flower or fruit growing on a branch that you cut back still belongs to the tree’s owner and should be returned to your neighbour.
Be careful about how the cuttings are returned - you are responsible for any damage or littering that might occur as a result of your work. It is advisable to let your neighbour know what you intend to do with the cuttings. If the tree’s owner agrees, you may dispose of the cuttings yourself (during the City’s green waste collection). For further information, visit the City's Green waste disposal webpage.
Repairing damage caused by a neighbour’s tree can be costly, as can specialist arboricultural work. Roots can damage foundations, fences, block drains or raise brick paving, while overhanging branches can drop leaves into your gutters or prevent your own trees and crops from growing. Costs for work or repairs carried out on your property should be met by the owner of the tree.
If you need to have repairs done or need to seek the services of a specialist to remove roots or branches, first write a letter to your neighbour setting out what the damage to your property is and requesting that your neighbour take steps to remedy the situation.
The following would be useful to include in your letter:
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Copies of quotes for repairs and/or specialist work required.
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A request that your neighbour pay to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again. You should keep a copy of your letter. Once your neighbour has been made aware of the problem they have a legal responsibility to fix it and/or to prevent the problem from worsening.
If there is a cost involved in fixing the problem, you should reach an agreement with your neighbour about who will pay the costs before work is commenced. If you cannot reach an agreement with your neighbour you may have to apply to court for an order that legally obliges your neighbour to have the branches or roots removed and/ or the damage to the property fixed.
Legal action against neighbours can lead to bad relationships that are difficult to repair. Wherever possible, think about negotiating an agreement with your neighbour, or going to a dispute resolution service instead of taking court action
| Genus | Species | Common name | Number of trees | Location | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eucalyptus | gomphocephala | Tuart | 1 | Hepburn Avenue Near Lukin Road, Hillarys |
20 metres |
| Nuytsia | floribunda | Western Australian Christmas Trees | 17 | Leeward Park 2 Amalfi Drive, Hillarys |
2-5 metres |
| Pinus | halepensis | Aleppo Pine | 1 | Central Park 187 Grand Boulevard, Joondalup |
4 metres |
| Eucalyptus | gomphocephala | Tuart | 1 | Whitfords East Park 26 Rosette Close, Craigie |
31 metres |
| Eucalyptus | gomphocephala | Tuart | 1 | Leichhardt Park 57 Leichhardt Avenue, Padbury |
20 metres |
| Eucalyptus | gomphocephala | Tuart | 1 | Leichhardt Park 57 Leichhardt Avenue, Padbury |
21 metres |
| Eucalyptus | gomphocephala | Tuart | 1 | Quarry Ramble Park 35 Quarry Ramble, Edgewater |
32 meters |
| Corymbia | citriodora | Lemon-Scented Gums | 50 | Davallia Road median island, Duncraig | 14-23 metres |
| Ficus | microcarpa var. hillii | Hill’s Weeping Fig | 12 | Sycamore Drive, Duncraig | 15-19 metres |
| Platanus | acerifolia | London Plane | 17 | Sycamore Drive, Duncraig | 14-18 metres |
| Eucalyptus | gomphocephala | Tuart | 1 | Hepburn Avenue (Near Lukin Road, Hillarys) | 20 metres |
| Nuytsia | floribunda | Western Australian Christmas Trees | 17 | Leeward Park, 2 Amalfi Drive, Hillarys | 2-5 metres |
| Pinus | halepensis | Aleppo Pine | 1 | Central Park, 187 Grand Boulevard, Joondalup | 4 metres |
| Eucalyptus | gomphocephala | Tuart | 1 | Whitfords East Park, 26 Rosette Close, Craigie | 31 metres |
| Eucalyptus | gomphocephala | Tuart | 1 | Leichhardt Park, 57 Leichhardt Avenue, Padbury | 20 metres |
| Eucalyptus | gomphocephala | Tuart | 1 | Leichhardt Park, 57 Leichhardt Avenue, Padbury | 21 metres |
| Eucalyptus | gomphocephala | Tuart | 1 | Quarry Ramble Park, 35 Quarry Ramble, Edgewater | 32 meters |
| Corymbia | citriodora | Lemon-Scented Gums | 50 | Davallia Road median island, Duncraig | 14-23 metres |
| Ficus | microcarpa var. hillii | Hill’s Weeping Fig | 12 | Sycamore Drive, Duncraig | 15-19 metres |
| Platanus | acerifolia | London Plane | 17 | Sycamore Drive, Duncraig | 14-18 metres |