7 things you MUST to know before any Tree Cutting in the Inner West Sydney!

Home Tree Service’s Ultimate Guide to Tree Cutting in the Inner West Sydney!

Unauthorised Tree Cutting in the Inner West Sydney, whether it’s Tree Removal, Tree Pruning or Tree Cutting,  may result in significant fines, reaching up to $500,000 for individuals. Read this to avoid it!

At Home Tree Services, we value the time, safety and money of all our clients, so we put a list of valuable information together that can help you in the initial steps to execute any Tree Services.

 

Do I need a council permit to prune or remove my tree in the Inner West?

Yes, but under certain conditions no council permission is required.

 

Tree work that can be done without council approval in the Inner West area:

• Canopy lifting to 2.5 metres above ground level
• Selective pruning to a 3-metre clearance above the roof or from the face of all structures
• The pruning of deadwood that does not have hollows or provide habitat for native fauna

Referenced from Inner West Council’s Tree Management DCP

https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/live/information-for-residents/trees/trees-on-your-property-pruning-or-removing

 

Exemptions

The pruning of the trees listed below are exempt from the above conditions, however for removal a Tree Minor Works Request is required.

 

The conditions above do not apply to the pruning of the trees below:

Species Name	Common Name
Acer negundo	Box elder
Ailanthus altissima	Tree of Heaven
Albizia lophantha	Silk Tree
Alnus jorrullensis	Evergreen Alder
Araucaria bidwillii	Bunya Pine
Araucaria cunninghami	Hoop Pine
Araucaria heterophylla	Norfolk Island Pine
Archontophoenix alexandrae	Alexandra Palm
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana	Bangalow Palm
Bambusa spp. Phyllostachys spp.	Bamboo species
Celtis australis	Hackberry
Celtis sinensis	Chinese Hackberry
Cinnamomum camphora	Camphor
Laurel Citharexylum spinosum	Fiddlewood
Cotoneaster spp.	Cotoneaster
Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’	Pencil Pine
Cupressus marocarpa	Monterey Cyprus
Eriobotrya japonica	Loquat
Erythrina x sykesii	Coral Tree
Ficus benjamina	Weeping Fig
Ficus elastica	Indian Rubber Tree
Gleditsia triacanthos	Honey Locust
Harpephyllum caffrum	Kaffir Plum
Lagunaria patersonia	Norfolk Island Hibiscus
Ligustrum lucidum	Broad Leaved Privet
Ligustrum sinense	Small Leaved Privet
Liquidambar styraciflua	Liquidambar
Melia azedarach	White Cedar
Morus spp	Mulberry
Nerium oleander	Oleander
Olea europaea var. africana	Wild Olive/African Olive
Pinus radiata	Monterey Pine/Radiata Pine
Pittosporum undulatum	Sweet Pittosporum
Populus nigra ‘Italica’	Lombardy Poplar
Robinia pseudoacacia	False Accacia/Black Locust
Salix spp.	Willow
Schefflera actinophylla	Umbrella Tree
Schinus terebinthifolius	Broadleaf Pepper Tree
Syagrus romanzoffianum	Cocos Palm
Tamarix aphylla	Athel Tree
Toxicodendron succedaneum	Rhus Tree
x Cupressocyparis leylandii	Leyland Cyprus
A fruit tree grown for the purpose of fruit production, excluding naturally grown native fruiting species.

 

Referenced from Inner West Council’s Tree Management DCP

https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/live/information-for-residents/trees/trees-on-your-property-pruning-or-removing

 

Who performs tree pruning and cutting?

A qualified arborist, such as provided by Home Tree Services, who holds at least a level 3 certification or equivalent in accordance with AS 4373 – 2007 – Pruning of amenity trees and the Safe Work Australia Code of Practice ‘Guide to Managing Risks of Tree Trimming and Removal Work’ 2016.

Home Tree Services is fully qualified to execute any Tree Services; contact us here!

 

What happens when you damage or cut trees that require a permit without one?

Cutting such trees without a permit is an offence and you will be faced by heavy fines.

Any other tree damage such as poisoning or vandalism that is not authorised is also considered illegal.

 

What to do in case you realise a tree has been illegally damaged?

If you have noticed damage done to a tree, such as removal, pruning, poisoning, or vandalism, you can report this to council.

You are required to examine the tree and provide details of the type of activity that has been done and at what time.

You are also required to provide physical evidence such as photographs to support your claim.

 

Who removes trees on public land and streets?

The management of trees on public lands is the responsibility of the council, therefore any removal or pruning work will be performed by them.

 

Ready to proceed with the Tree Services in the City of Sydney?

Contact us here!

Disclaimer 

The information above functions as a guide and therefore should not be used as the final say before undertaking any tree removal or pruning. Always refer to your council policy and/or a qualified arborist before undertaking any tree work.

Updated: 28 May 2021