Trees FAQs

Council’s planning policies (Part O – Tree Management Development Control Plan) prohibits:

• Cutting down, removing, injuring or poisoning any part of a tree above or below ground, having a height greater than four (4.0) metres or a girth greater than half (0.5) metre measured at a point one (1.0) metres above ground level, except by written consent of the Council.
• Undertaking works within 5 metres from the base of a tree
• Failing to plant, protect or care for a tree which is required to be planted, protected or cared for as a condition of consent.

Council consent is not required for removal of the following trees – Ficus elastica (Rubber Tree), Privet (large and small leaf), Umbrella Trees, Rhus Trees and commercial fruit tree varieties. Additionally the pruning of deadwood in any trees  does not require Council consent.  Please visit the Trees section of this website for further information.

Dead or dying trees will need to be assessed by Council staff for retention value as suitable habitat trees. Many trees are also deciduous (periodically lose their foliage) and as such an inspection is required to ascertain if the trees are in a dormant state or are in fact dead.

Property owners or their agent can make application to Council for removal of a tree by completing an online application via the NSW Government Planning Portal. Council’s Duty Planners are available on 02 9748 9999 or council@strathfield.nsw.gov.au to provide advice and assistance.

Property owners or their agent can make application to Council for pruning of a tree by completing a Tree Pruning Permit Application Form(PDF, 218KB)

In the case of multi-unit dwellings, consent of the strata management must be obtained prior to making an application to Council to remove the tree. Owners must notify their neighbours of any proposed tree removal or pruning prior to commencement of work.  If the tree is on your neighbour’s property you must address the matter initially with the property owner where the tree is located. As the owner of the subject property, your neighbour will be required to make the application for trimming or removal of the tree. Council cannot force a neighbour to prune or remove a tree as this is considered a civil matter and is better dealt with through consultation between neighbours. Neighbours in dispute are encouraged to contact the Community Justice Centre. Please visit the Trees section of this website for further information.

Council will not pick up cutting or fallen branches from private trees unless booked as a green Waste Pick up Service.

You should cut up the cuttings/branches and place them in your garden vegetation bin (if they are no more than 1 metre long and less than 150mm in diameter) or bundle them and dispose them in Council’s Green Waste clean-up collection. Please visit the Recycling and Waste Services section of this website for further information.

Requests for information regarding owners of neighbouring properties must be made in writing to Council stating the reasons for the request and the intended use of the information. Council will consider your request under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (NSW) 1998. For further information, contact Council’s Customer Service Centre or Council’s Privacy Contact Officer on 9748 9999.

If you are wanting to prune overhanging branches from a neighbour’s tree you do not require the tree owner’s consent but we recommend you discuss your intentions with the tree owner. Unless the proposed pruning is for works that are exempt under Council’s Tree Management Development Control Plan such as removal of deadwood, clearances to gutters or clearance for pedestrian movement, then a Tree Management Application will be required.  If the tree owner has not provided their consent, then we will notify the tree owner of your intentions.  You are not permitted to enter your neighbour’s property to undertake pruning unless you have the neighbour’s consent.  Payment for the Tree Management Application and the undertaking of any approved pruning works is by agreement between neighbours.  Council does not mediate between neighbour’s and cannot order an owner to prune a tree that is overhanging a neighbouring property that is not public land.

Nature strips are part of the road reserve and are public land.

Only Council or its contractors or agents can prune, plant or remove trees on your nature strip.  Council generally does not prune or remove nature strip trees unless they are unsafe or diseased.

Yes. Nature strips are public land and can contain essential services such as sewerage, water pipes, telephone, power and gas. You must obtain permission from Council to undertake any works (except mowing) on the driveway, footpaths and nature strips outside your property. This includes driveway modifications, storage of materials such as skips bins and pruning, planting or replacing trees on your nature strip. Where building work is proposed, owners and/or applicants are responsible for ensuring that the street tree and grassed nature strip are protected during construction.

Backyard burning including burning of vegetation and domestic waste and the use of incinerators is prohibited in the Strathfield Local Government Area and is subject to on-the-spot fines. To report backyard burning please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre immediately on 9748 9999 and give an exact address.

No, however Council does provide street tree plantings on request if the nature strip in front of your property is currently vacant.