Frequently Asked Questions about Urban Trees

Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) is responsible for the management of street and parkland trees in Canberra. TAMS continuously assesses trees throughout the city and undertakes the appropriate maintenance work. This work is aimed to maintain Canberra’s trees for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future.

Tree maintenance involves four processes:

• Condition assessment of existing trees
• Pruning including formative pruning for young trees, corrective work for line of sight issues and general strengthening and tidying up for mature trees. To request this service, click here.
• Planting
• Watering and care for young trees –The information below is a quick and easy way to answer questions you may have.

General Information about Tree Management

• If a tree or large branch falls outside my house, who do I call?
• Can I prune my street tree?
• Tree removal – why does it happen and where
• I think there’s something wrong with a tree. How do I find out?
• I’d like a tree outside my house.
• How can I tell if the tree in front of my house is on the nature strip?
• Who do I contact about trees that are not on the nature strip?
• How do I claim for damage to my property caused by a tree on the nature strip?
• There are a number of trees outside my house and my neighbour has only one, why is that?
• The ACT Tree Register - Canberra’s exceptional trees Register.
• I’d like to register a tree.
• I’d like to install solar panels and there’s a tree shading my house.
• How long will my request for tree maintenance take?
• Who removes leaf litter and small branches out the front of my house?
• How do I plant a tree?
• Where can I find out what trees I have growing in my street?
• What should I do if a Government tree is shading my house or solar collectors?

Nature Strip Information

• What is a Nature Strip?
• How wide is a nature strip?

Tree on the nature strip outside my house

• Can I change the species of tree on my nature strip?
• Can I get approval to remove a public tree?
• Am I allowed to water the street or parkland tree(s) outside my home?
• Can I develop/landscape the nature strip in front of my house?
• Do I need approval to construct new driveway entrances to my property?
• Can I dig under the nature strip tree in front of my home?

Caring for the trees in the streets and parks

Some facts about how many trees in the urban forest, something about assessment of the condition with link to screen dump of assessment criteria or discuss the components.

• How does the ACT government maintain its trees? (hyperlink to some general info about maintenance works)
• Who is responsible for the maintenance of nature strips?
• Who is responsible for the maintenance of trees on nature strips?
• Who is responsible for the maintenance of trees located in urban parks?
• How will I know if someone has assessed the tree outside my home?
• How long will it take to have my stump removed?
• How do I get a fallen tree removed?
• What should I do if the footpath outside my property is damaged or uplifted by tree roots?
• What do I do if I have a dead wattle tree on my nature strip?
• Will root damage cause branches to fall from a tree?
• If I am in a newly developed suburb who is responsible for the care of my street tree?
• Can my dead tree be left as a habitat tree?
• Who do I contact if I have a fallen branch?
• Who do I contact if I have a line of sight issue?
• Under what circumstances are nature strip or parkland trees removed?
• Who do I contact to have a nature strip or parkland tree pruned?

Trees around your house (Private land)

• How do I apply to undertake a tree damaging activity?
• My tree is on leased land but the branches are overhanging onto the footpath, who is responsible for trimming the branches?

General Information about Tree Management

If a tree or large branch falls outside my house, who do I call?
If the tree is located on the nature strip, The Government will remove the tree. To make a request call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81. If the tree is located on private land and falls onto government land it is the resident or property owner’s responsibility for the removal.

Can I prune my street tree?
No. Issues can be directed to Canberra Connect (13 22 81), leading to an inspection of the tree to decide whether pruning is needed.
Tree pruning is undertaken when branches are disturbing walkways, roads or foot paths, to improve form and structure of the tree and removal of large dead or alive branches that may pose a threat to infrastructure.

Tree removal – why does it happen and where
Tree removal is undertaken on unleased land for a number of reasons, for example when a tree is deemed structurally unstable, dead, causing damage to infrastructure, not in line with street plantings or causing a line of sight issue. This issue can be raised through Canberra Connect (13 22 81), which will lead to a tree assessment by TAMS staff to determine the level of management needed.
For more information about work done so far Click Here.

I think there’s something wrong with a tree. How do I find out?
Contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 to report any issues. The tree will then be assessed and appropriate action undertaken.

I’d like a tree outside my house.
A tree can be planted outside your house subject to seasonal and site factors (Refer to Tree Planting Requests on Public Land). Call Canberra Connect (13 22 81) if you would like to request a tree on the nature strip outside your house.

How can I tell if the tree in front of my house is on the nature strip?
A rough guideline is if the tree is between the water meter and the kerb of the street. More exact measurements can be obtained by calling Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 or using ACTMAPi.

Who do I contact about trees that are not on the nature strip?
Work to existing trees on leased land over a certain size requires development approval. Your development application will need to include a tree survey and report by a qualified arborist that identifies the trees and the impact on them. Regulated trees:

• are 12m or more high or have a canopy 12m or more wide and/or
• have a trunk circumference of 1.5m or more, 1m above natural ground level and/or
• have two or more trunks and the total circumference of all the trunks, 1m above natural ground level, is 1.5m or more.

You will have to contact The Tree Protection Unit if you wish to undertake maintenance on trees that fit the above criteria.

How do I claim for damage to my property caused by a tree on the nature strip?
The Government administers a series of claims procedures that relate to such situations. Call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 or down load the relevant claims procedure from the TAMS website.

There are a number of trees outside my house and my neighbour has only one, why is that?
The number of trees on each nature strip will differ depending on a number of factors including the length of the nature strip, the spacing of the trees, whether previous residents have planted trees on the nature strip and whether trees have been removed and not replaced.

The ACT Tree Register - Canberra’s exceptional trees Register.
Exceptional trees may be included on the Tree Register if they are considered to be of high heritage, landscape or scientific value. The Conservator of Flora and Fauna makes the final decision in the light of advice from the Tree Advisory Panel. Those affected by the possible registration of the tree will be consulted.

I’d like to register a tree
Anyone may identify and nominate a suitable tree to the register. The tree is assessed against formal criteria.

I’d like to install solar panels and there’s a tree shading my house
While the ACT Government is actively promoting the use of passive solar energy in new developments and new development areas, issues relating to solar access in established areas will continue to be subject to assessment of individual circumstances. There is no intention to remove sound healthy trees solely to improve access to solar energy in established suburbs. However, where trees require pruning, this can, at times, improve solar capture capacity. Contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 if you want to have trees near your home assessed.

How long will my request for tree maintenance take?
Tree maintenance issues are usually assessed within two weeks and work is then programmed according to the priority. Urgent work will be carried out as soon as possible while minor maintenance work will be placed on longer term work programs.

Who removes leaf litter and small branches out the front of my house?
The property owner is encouraged to remove leaf litter and sticks from their nature strip as a contribution to maintaining the neat appearance of their neighbourhood.

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Nature Strip Information

What is a nature strip?
The nature strip is a strip of government land outside all properties that contains underground, above ground, over head services and street trees.
How wide is a nature strip?
Nature strips are of variable width and may range from less than 2.0 metres to more than 15.0 metres wide.

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Tree on the nature strip outside my house

Can I change the species of tree on my nature strip?
If a tree is due for replacement, the resident may suggest the species of tree they would prefer. Ultimately the decision will be made by Urban Treescapes staff; in line with what is currently planted in the street, the performance of that species

Can I get approval to remove a public tree?
At times written formal approval will be given for residents to remove trees that are not part of the formal street or parkland plantings or undesirable tree species such as: Pine, Poplars and Willows. Residents must not remove public trees unless they have written approval.

Am I allowed to water the street or parkland tree(s) outside my home?
Yes. Residents are encouraged to water street and parkland trees using non-potable water such as bath water. A bucket of water once a week during summer should guarantee the survival of young trees.

Can I develop/landscape the nature strip in front of my house?
You will need development approval if your proposal impacts on:

• existing vegetation – submit a vegetation survey that includes identifying regulated or registered trees and
• existing trees – submit a Tree Management Plan, contact the Directorate of Territory and Municipal Services.

You should contact the Directorate of Territory and Municipal Services if your block has trees on or adjacent to it and you are unsure of their status or the potential impact of your proposal or if you propose to remove or lop a significant tree, as you will need to make an application for tree damaging activity.
http://www.tams.act.gov.au/play/pcl/bookings_permits_and_payments/nature_strip_development_application

Do I need approval to construct new driveway entrances to my property?
Yes. There is a formal process for driveway approvals. Contact the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA)

Can I dig under the nature strip tree in front of my home?
Not without approval. Excavation under a trees’ canopy may result in root damage and a subsequent decline in tree health. Strip trenching for the installation of irrigation systems or cabling can have serious effects on tree health and stability. You will need to complete a Nature strip development approval.

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Caring for the trees in the streets and parks

How does the ACT government maintain its trees?
Tree maintenance involves four processes:

• Condition assessment of existing trees
• Pruning including formative pruning for young trees, corrective work for line of sight issues and general strengthening and tidying up for mature trees. To request this service, click here.
• Planting
• Watering and care for young trees

Further information on tree management policy.

Who is responsible for the maintenance of nature strips?
The householder is responsible for maintaining the nature strip except for trees.

Who is responsible for the maintenance of trees on nature strips?

City Maintenance is responsible for the maintenance of all trees that are planted on the nature strip whether they are formal government plantings or private plantings.

Who is responsible for the maintenance of trees located in urban parks?
City Maintenance is responsible for the maintenance of all trees that are planted in urban parkland whether they are formal government plantings or private plantings.

How will I know if someone has assessed the tree outside my home?
City Maintenance tree maintenance personnel will leave a calling card if they inspect public trees and don’t carry out work at the time and the resident is not home.

How long will it take to have my stump removed?
Four weeks (to be confirmed)

What should I do if the footpath outside my property is damaged or uplifted by tree roots?
Call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 to report such matters.

What do I do if I have a dead wattle tree on my nature strip?
Contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

Will root damage cause branches to fall from a tree?
Sometimes the loss of tree roots can cause a tree to shed branches.

If I am in a newly developed suburb who is responsible for the care of my street tree?
In new suburbs (or Greenfield developments) there is a period of time where developers are responsible for tree care after which City Maintenance takes on responsibility. ACTPLA or LDA should be able to inform you of who is responsible for the tree.

Who do I contact if I have a line of sight issue?
When trees obscure street signs or vision into intersections and roundabouts, this issue can resolved by calling Canberra Connect (13 22 81) this issue has a resolution time of 6 weeks. Pruning or removal of trees around signs may be completed.

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Trees around your house (Private land)

How do I apply to undertake a tree damaging activity?
When undertaking an activity that may cause damage to a government tree a Tree Damaging Activity Form needs to be completed. This will result in an assessment of the work being undertaken and whether or not the work can be completed.

My tree is on leased land but the branches are overhanging onto the footpath, who is responsible for trimming the branches?
The property owner must prune branches from trees and shrubs that overhang from leased land onto the nature strip causing an obstruction.

Can I change the species of tree on my nature strip?
No. The only time when the species of a street tree within a street will change is when City Maintenance carry out a formal street tree replacement program where there has been a specific reason for a change in species.