Trees on private land

Regulated trees

Regulated trees are on private land and either:

• 8 metres or more in height
• 8 metres or more in canopy width
• 1 metre or more in circumference at 1.4 metres above the ground, or
• a dead native tree that, 1.4 metres above natural ground level, has a trunk circumference at least 1.88 metres.

A tree on private land is not a regulated tree, regardless of its size, if it is:

• dead and not a native species, or
• a recognised noxious or environmental weed according to the Pest Plants and Animals Act 2005.

Emergency tree removals and fallen branches

Contact 000 if a tree is causing an immediate threat to life.

If a tree is touching power lines or has fallen and brought down power lines, please contact Evoenergy on 13 10 93.

If a tree is touching telephone wires or has fallen and brought down telephone wires, please contact Telstra on 13 22 03.

If you need assistance with a fallen tree following a storm event call SES on 13 25 00 for assistance to make the property safe.

If a tree on public land presents a safety risk and needs to be removed urgently, contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or submit a request online using Fix My Street.

If a tree on private land presents a safety risk and needs to be removed urgently, contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81. When you speak with an operator ask for ‘urgent circumstances authorisation for tree removal’. Depending on the circumstances, an authorised officer will provide approval to remove the tree either in person or over the phone. You may be asked to provide a photo of the tree at the time of your call.

If a tree on private property drops branches onto public land or a neighbouring property, it is the responsibility of the tree owner to clean up. The ACT Government cannot undertake work on trees located on private land. If a tree on your property has fallen or requires maintenance, you need to contact an arborist.

Nature strips and verges

The ACT Government manages trees on public land such as nature strips and road verges.

For more information see trees on public land.

Trees over the fence line

As the neighbouring property owner, you can carry out minor pruning to a tree growing over the fence. Any pruned branches, however, should not be dropped on the tree owner’s side. Damage to, or excessive pruning of, a tree that is not yours is classified as property damage. Please have a discussion with your neighbour before undertaking any work on your neighbour’s tree.

If the neighbour's tree is a protected tree, you must complete a tree activity application. Submitting an application requires written consent from the tree owner showing they are aware of the application and proposed works, and consent to an officer entering their property to undertake a tree inspection.

If you cannot resolve a tree related issue by talking with your neighbour contact the Conflict Resolution Service for advice.

Hiring an arborist

Arboriculture is a profession focused on managing and caring for trees, typically in and around the places where we live, work and play. Arborists specialise in tree care and safe tree work. They can prune, protect, assess, plant and remove trees.

When choosing an arborist remember:

• a qualified arborist will have a minimum Certificate III in Arboriculture or similar
• someone local should better understand the regulations of the Urban Forest Act 2023
• to ask for copies of their insurances
• to look for someone who offers a wide range of tree care services, not just tree removals or pruning
• to seek a quote from more than one arborist and don’t expect companies to price match. You may need to pay for quotes but obtaining these is worth the effort to avoid engaging someone who is not right for the job.

Try to avoid an arborist who:

• is eager to remove or excessively prune a living tree
• rushes you to make a decision
• offers a discount for committing on the spot
• does not mention any legislative requirements
• suggests the use of climbing spikes on a living tree.

Word of mouth referrals are often the most reliable. If someone you trust has had a positive experience with a local arborist, ask for their details.

Registered trees

Registered trees are trees of exceptional value on either private or public land. Approval is required for pruning or any other activity that could cause damage to a registered tree.

Check the following to see if a tree is registered:

• ACT tree register
• Provisional tree register
• ACTmapi registered trees map (select the tree icon to turn on the registered tree layer).

Proposed developments

All development, driveway and building applications, where the work may impact a protected tree (including those on adjoining land), must include a Tree Management Plan.

A Tree Management Plan shows how protected trees on and around the work site will be protected and cared for prior to works commencing and during all stages of work. It is recommended that applicants engage a consulting arborist or other suitably qualified professional to develop a Tree Management Plan for their project. For more information see tree management plans and tree bonds.

When the Tree Management Plan is assessed, the ACT Government may request that a bond be paid before works identified in the application can commence. Bonds will be returned to the developer after the completion of the work if an assessment by an authorised person determines there is no evidence of Tree Management Plan breaches. For more information see tree management plans and tree bonds.

If a protected tree is approved for removal, the applicant will be required to enter into a canopy contribution agreement with the ACT Government. See canopy contribution agreement.

Canopy contribution agreement

Canopy contribution is an action to counterbalance the loss of canopy coverage due to the removal of a protected tree. This might involve planting new trees on your property or making a payment towards planting elsewhere, if planting on your property is not possible.

A canopy contribution agreement is entered into following the approval to remove a protected tree on your property. Some tree removals are exempt.

For more information see canopy contribution agreement.

Minor pruning

Minor pruning of regulated trees can be undertaken without the need for approval if it:

• involves removing deadwood only
• is the first pruning of the tree in the calendar year and affects less than 10% of the canopy, not altering the overall shape of the canopy
• is a fruit tree and done for fruit production
• does not adversely affect the appearance of the tree
• does not include removing limbs with a diameter of 100mm or more.

Pruning must be undertaken in accordance with the standard for Pruning Amenity Trees ASNZ4373 or MIS 308 Tree Pruning .

Minor pruning of a registered tree requires an approved tree activity application.

Tree removal and other damaging activities

On private land, works on or around a regulated or registered tree that could cause damage to that tree require approval. Activities requiring approval are listed below.

• Tree removal – the complete removal of a tree, irrespective of stump grinding.
• Major pruning – removing select branches from a tree that are greater than 100mm or more in diameter.
• Lopping – removing a large limb or limbs, often in an attempt to stifle tree growth beyond a certain point or in a certain direction or on dead trees to allow retention of habitat.
• Prohibited groundwork in the Tree Protection Zone – undertaking any groundwork within the Tree Protection Zone such as:
  • groundwork that damages the tree’s root system in the Tree Protection Zone
  • conduct that would compact the soil in at least 10% of the protection zone
  • cutting any of the tree's roots that have a diameter greater than 50mm
  • excavating to a depth greater than 10cm over an area 4m² or larger
  • raising the soil level by more than 10cm above the natural soil level over an area 4m² or larger.
• Minor pruning (registered trees only).

For more information see tree activity applications.