Private trees

Please note in order to receive a determination on or before 22 December 2025, applications to prune or remove a private tree must be lodged with Council no later than Monday 24 November 2025.

Trees within private property

The Woollahra LGA is proud of its rich and diverse privately owned trees which have been contributing to the beauty and richness of the area over hundreds of years. Council and the community value the contribution that private trees have and the importance they have in supporting and providing varied benefits to the community. The protection of existing trees and ensuring the planting of new trees is a top priority.    

The Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014 (Woollahra LEP), clause 5.9 Preservation of trees or vegetation, seeks to preserve the amenity of the area through the preservation of trees and other vegetation. From this, our community has chosen to adopt Chapter E3 - Tree Management of the Development Control Plan 2015 (DCP)(PDF, 186KB). This DCP is a planning instrument through which the pruning and removal of privately owned trees is administered.    

Sadly, some people don’t always do the right thing when it comes to pruning or removing trees. Council takes any unauthorised tree works such as pruning or removal without consent, vandalism, or poisoning very seriously. 

All matters reported to us are investigated, and any actions or outcomes will be carried out in accordance with Council’s Enforcement Policy(PDF, 884KB) which sets out how we investigate alleged breaches and determine the most appropriate enforcement response.  

If unauthorised works are confirmed, Council has a range of options available, including issuing infringement notices to both the tree owner and the company or individual who undertook the works, and in more serious cases pursuing criminal offences. 

Do I need a permit to prune or remove my tree?

Most species of trees with a height greater than 5m or with a crown spread greater than 3m (irrespective of the height of the tree) are covered under the provisions of the DCP. If the tree is covered by the DCP an application to prune or remove the tree(PDF, 382KB) will be required to be submitted to Council. The Tree Management DCP also outlines a number of tree species and works which are exempt and do not require consent from Council to undertake pruning or removal.

View the full list of exempt species and exempt tree works.(PDF, 186KB)

If the tree is covered by the DCP an application to prune or remove the tree(PDF, 382KB) will be required to be submitted to Council.   

How do I apply to prune or remove a tree?

There are two types of approval streams through which tree works (pruning or removal) are administered, these are:

Development Application (DA) consent

A Development Application is required where:

  • The tree has been included as part of the Conditions of Development Consent to be retained and protected. 
  • Tree removal is proposed for trees identified as an Environmental Heritage Item within Schedule 5 of the Woollahra LEP or the tree is listed in the Significant Tree Register.

Tree Works Application (Permit)

The majority of tree pruning and removal works are administered through the permit system, and includes:

  • Pruning or removal of prescribed trees for which a DA is not required.
  • Minor works to trees which have been identified as being;
    • An Environmental Heritage Item
    • On land identified as an Environmental Heritage Item
    • On land in a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA)

Minor tree works are generally considered as pruning for general crown maintenance or modification with consideration to the guidelines set out in Australian Standard 4373 Pruning of amenity trees.

The removal of trees within a HCA can be undertaken with a permit if it can be demonstrated, and Council is satisfied, that the removal of the tree will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the HCA.

Pruning or removing trees within my property

If the tree is growing within your property you will need to provide a completed application form(PDF, 382KB). All legal owners of the property must sign the application and the form must be accompanied by the relevant fees.

Please be mindful when pruning or removing trees and vegetation that (although extremely rare) some plant material may be harmful to animals if digested.

Can I prune or remove trees on my neighbour's property?

If you wish to prune a tree that is located within your neighbour’s property which extends over your boundary, you are still required to submit an application and you can do so with or without the consent of the tree owner.  

Council will notify the tree owner, and in most cases adjacent properties that will be impacted by the proposed works. However, it is also suggested that you talk to the tree owner to inform them of your intentions.  

Having the consent of the tree owner to undertake work to a tree may make the process of pruning the tree easier. Please note that without the consent of the tree owner Council will only assess and are only able to issue an approval to prune branches extending over the boundary and that are within your property. An approval cannot be given for tree works within your neighbour’s property unless your neighbour has given consent.  

It should also be noted that some pruning works to overhanging branches cannot be approved as the pruning works would need to be undertaken over the fence line to protect the health and structure of the tree, this is one reason why if feasible it is best to try and obtain the tree owner’s consent.  

Any approval does not allow you or a contractor to enter your neighbours property without their consent. You cannot apply to have a tree removed without the tree owners consent.

Council does not mediate disputes between neighbours regarding trees. Conflict over the management of private trees in neighbouring properties is the responsibility of both neighbours to resolve. Council cannot order a tree owner to prune branches overhanging a neighbouring property. Disputes may be settled with the assistance of a Community Justice Centre aide (1800 990 777).

Where attempts for mediation between parties has failed, the opportunity exists for an owner to apply to the NSW Land and Environment Court, under the provisions of the Tree (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006. The court has the ability to issue orders to remedy, restrain or prevent damage to the owner’s property, or to prevent injury, as a consequence of a tree situated on adjoining land.

Processing your Tree Works Application

Upon receipt and payment of your completed application, your application will be assigned given a Tree Works Application number and a Council Arborist will be assigned to assess your proposal.  

You will be emailed this tracking number and the time and date of a site inspection. A site inspection to assess the tree and site will be undertaken. Once completed the proposed application may be notified to surrounding neighbours.  

The proposed tree works will be assessed in accordance with the criteria set out in the Tree Management Policy(PDF, 1MB) and include:

  • risk of personal injury posed by the tree
  • risk of damage to buildings, structures or services
  • the tree’s health, growth habit, stability and structural soundness of the tree and condition of the ground
  • the extent of the other trees on the property
  • the significance of the tree
  • the effect on the streetscape
  • whether the tree forms a part of or is remnant indigenous vegetation
  • the effect on biodiversity
  • the cultural or heritage significance of the planting, particularly in a conservation area.

Determination

At the end of the assessment process a determination is emailed to the applicant (and a copy of the determination is sent to the tree owner if they were not the applicant). If approval is granted for the proposed works, or part thereof, the approved works must not be commenced prior to receipt of the written determination.  

Appealing a Determination

If you are not satisfied with a determination, you may lodge an application for review(PDF, 233KB). Additional information not available at the time of the original assessment must be provided with any application for review. This additional information would normally take the form of an arborist and/or engineering report, without this additional information the review will not be processed.

An application for review must be lodged within 12 months of the date of issue of the original determination. Fees for a review of determination are 50% of the original fee.

Trees growing on rented property

If you are the tenant of a property, you will need to obtain the written consent of the property owner before lodging an application. The application form(PDF, 382KB) must be accompanied by the relevant fees. Managing agents are not able to sign on behalf of the owner of the property.

Removing or pruning trees on Strata or Company Title property

If the tree is growing on property owned by Strata or Company title, the application(PDF, 382KB) must be signed by an authorised officer under common seal. In addition, if owned by a Strata Plan the application must also include the minutes from a meeting of the Body Corporate or Executive Committee where agreement on the management of the tree/s has been made, the minutes should include the species of the tree/s, what is approved (ie pruning or removal) and their location. If minutes do not provide enough detail to identify the tree the application may not be accepted.

Private trees overhanging public space

Where trees or shrubs from private property overhang a public walkway or carriageway and that tree is causing obstruction Council can contact the tree owner to request that they prune or remove the vegetation.

To request that Council investigate private trees or shrubs overhanging public space please contact our Customer Service Department on 9391 7000, or email records@woollahra.nsw.gov.au and include a photograph of the vegetation and the address where it is located.

Who pays for and completes the work once I have approval?

It is the responsibility of the applicant and or the tree owner to organise and pay for approved works to be undertaken. Council does not carry out approved private tree removal or pruning works. As a condition of approval, applicants are required to engage the services of a qualified arborist trained to prune trees to Australian Standards. A list of qualified arborists can be found on the Arboriculture Australia or Institute of Australian Consulting Arboriculturists websites.

Replacement planting

To maintain our urban forest a condition requiring you to plant a replacement tree when removal is granted may form part of the approval. The condition may specify the size and species of tree to be planted. However, we encourage you to discuss replacement planting options with the Council Arborist with the aim of planting an appropriate species in a suitable location.

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