Booroondara City Council Tree Regulations

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 Before undertaking any major tree pruning or removal on your residential or business property, it is important to review Boroondara City Council’s tree laws.

These regulations apply to properties located in Ashburton, Balwyn, Camberwell, Canterbury, Deepdene, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew, and Kew East. Parts of Balwyn North, Glen Iris, Mont Albert, and Surrey Hills may also fall under Boroondara tree regulations, so residents in these areas should ensure compliance.

 English Oak (Quercus robur), Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), and Lemon-Scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora) are among the most commonly planted trees in Boroondara. Many homeowners also have variations of these species in their yards. With ongoing development and new apartment construction in the area, the demand for professional tree pruning and stump removal has increased to accommodate tighter land boundaries and a growing property base 

 Boroondara Council maintains a register of trees that receive a higher level of protection than standard canopy trees. These trees are protected due to their size, age, rarity, ecological value, or cultural and historical significance. A “significant tree” can be a single tree, an avenue of trees, or even a hedge, and may be located on either public or private property. CLICK HERE To check if your tree is listed on the Significant Tree Register.

 You will require a permit if your tree(s) meet the criteria set out inBoroondara’s Tree Protection Local Law:

• The tree has a trunk circumference greater than 110 cm measured at 1.5 metres above ground, or greater than 150 cm measured at ground level.
   
• For multi-stemmed trees, the trunk circumference is calculated as the sum of all stems measured 1.5 metres above ground

Additional Permit Requirements in Boroondara

You will also need a permit if your property is located within any of the following overlays:

• Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO)
   
• Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO)
   
• Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO)

CLICK HERE to apply for a tree removal/pruning permit for Booroondara City Council

Permit Exemptions for Tree Works

Residents may not require a permit for tree works under the following conditions:

• Immediate Risk: If a tree or part of a tree poses an immediate risk to people or property, only the hazardous portion may be removed. It is still recommended to contact the council, if possible, to inform them about the tree and the planned work.
   
• Qualified Arborist: Work is carried out by a qualified arborist (Cert. III or higher—our arborists all meet this standard) competent to perform the task in accordance with Australian Standards (AS 4373-2007) Pruning of Amenity Trees. For pruning, before and after photos must be taken to certify the work.