Exempt Tree Works

Overview

Application Process

Even though your works may be considered exempt, you are still required to request a Private Tree Works Inspection for any tree that is either 150mm diameter or greater than 4 metres in height.

Please include the following images in your application:

  1. The overall tree from the ground to the tip
  2. A close-up of the bark
  3. A picture of the leaves and arrangement
  4. A picture of the fruit (if available)

Council’s Tree Preservation Officer will review the application and an inspection may be carried out if required. Should Council be able to identify the tree from the images provided, your application may be fast-tracked and can usually be approved within 1-2 weeks.

Exempt Tree Works

The following list of works are considered exempt, however approval is still required:

  • Removal or pruning of dead branches
  • Removal or pruning of dead palm fronds
  • Pruning of branches within 0.5m of electricity service wires (from street pole to property)
  • Pruning or removal of exotic and ornamental fruit trees
  • Pruning or removal of any tree that has been declared a State, Regional and Local Priority weed in the Lane Cove local government area under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015
  • Pruning or removal of any trees or vegetation on the Exempt Species List
  • Hedging and reduction pruning of the following species – Murraya spp, Viburnum spp, Photinia spp.

Please note that any vegetation less than 4 metres in height and a trunk diameter of less than 150mm (measured at 1 meter above the ground) is not considered a tree and as such approval is not required.

Fee Payable

Trees that are included on the Exempt Species Listdo not usually require payment of a fee.

If the application does not meet the relevant criteria, you will be notified and will need to pay the relevant fee should you wish to proceed with your application.

 

Exempt Species with Height Restrictions

 

Common Name Botanical Name Height Restrictions
Box Elder

Acer negundo

Less than 6 metres

Evergreen Alder

Alnus acuminata

Less than 10 metres

Camphor Laurel

Cinnamomum camphora

Less than 10 metres

Silky Oak

Grevillea robusta

Less than 6 metres

Jacaranda

Jacaranda mimosifolia

Less than 6 metres

Crepe Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

Less than 6 metres

Liquidambar

Liquidambar styraciflua

Less than 10 metres

Phoenix Palm

Phoenix species

Less than 6 meters

 

 Exempt Species with no Height Restrictions

Common Name Botanical Name
Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima
Bamboo Bambusa species
Cotoneaster Cotoneaster species
Hackberry Celtis sinensis 
Hackberry Celtis australis 

Exotic Fruit (e.g. Citrus FruitPeaches and PlumsLoquat)

Citrus, Prunus, Eriobotrya japonica
Coral Tree

Erythrina species

Rubber Tree Ficus elastica
Norfolk Island Hibiscus Lagunaria patersonia
Privets Ligustrum species 
Mulberry Morus species 
Bananas Musa species 
Oleander Nerium oleander 
African Olive Olea africana 
Lombardy Poplar Populus nigra Italica 
China Doll Radermachera sinica 
Umbrella Tree Schefflera actinophylla 
Giant Bird of Paradise Strelitzia nicolai 
Cocos Palm Syagrus romanzoffianum 
Rhus

Toxicodendrum succedaneum

Leighton Green & Cultivars X Cupressosyparis leylandii 
Willow  Salix species