Don’t hire any Tree Services in the Randwick City Council area before read this!

Home Tree Service’s Guide to Tree Work in Randwick City Council

Updated: 29/09/2022

Tree services can bring several benefits to your property, not only from the visual perspective but also for your finances. A tree that prevents natural light from coming inside your property may help to increase the use of electricity and its costs of it. Also, regular maintenance can contribute for the safety of your property and everyone who lives there. But before proceeding with any tree services, whether it’s Tree Removal, Tree Pruning or Tree Cutting, there are a number of things that need to be checked before.

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?

Yes, for tree works that do not meet the following conditions.

 

Tree work that can be done without council approval:

 

• If the tree has the following characteristics: under 6m in height, a canopy spread of under 4m, and a diameter under 1m at 1m above ground level
• If the tree is dying or dead and isn’t required as habitat for native fauna
• The removal of dead wood
• Crown thinning up to 10% of the existing canopy
• Crown lifting up to 2.5m from ground level
• Formative pruning of young trees and powerline clearance in line with the Australian Standard AS 4373 – 2007 – Pruning of Amenity Trees;
• Removal of trees within 2m of any building, measured horizontally from the closest part of the trunk to the building at 1m above ground level
• Tree work carried out under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 or State Emergency Service Act 1989 the Rural Fires Act 1997, however evidence should be collected before works are carried out

Exemptions

Any tree work may be carried out to the following species:

Botanical Name	Common Name
Ailanthus altissima	Tree of Heaven
Alnus jorullensis	Evergreen Elder
Bambusa spp.	Bamboo
Celtis occidentalis	Hackberry
Cotoneaster spp.	Cotoneaster
Cupressocyparis x leylandii	Leyland Cypress
Erythrina spp.	Coral Tree
Ficus elastica	Rubber Tree
Lagunaria patersonia	Norfolk Island Hibiscus
Ligustrum spp.	Privet
Morus spp.	Mulberry
Nerium oleander	Oleander
Ochna serrulata	Ochna
Olea europa var. africana	African Olive
Populus spp.	Poplars
Salix spp.	Willows
Schefflera actinophylla	Umbrella Tree
Syagrus romanzoffianum	Cocos Palm
Toxicodendron succedaneum	Rhus Tree

 

Note: All work done should have clear evidence documenting the reason work is permitted before commencing.

 

Who performs tree pruning and cutting?

WorkCover NSW recommends that any tree work be carried out by a team with at least one person who holds a qualification of Certificate II in Horticulture (arboriculture) or above. When it comes to tree work involving tree climbing there must be a person on site who holds a minimum qualification of Certificate III Horticulture (arboriculture).

The 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?

 

Unauthorised tree work, including any cutting or damage, will result in perpetrators required to rehabilitate the site and plant new trees in their stead. Perpetrators will also be vulnerable to significant fines as under the Local government Act 1993.

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 should report this to council via their call centre at 1300 722 542 so an investigation be performed. All information provided to the council is done so with strict confidentiality.

 

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 Service?

Contact us here!

 

Disclaimer

 

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