Arborist and Tree Removal Lake Macquarie

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Tree pruning and removal in Lake Macquarie.

Before pruning or removing a NSW native tree or Norfolk Island Pine from any private property in Lake Macquarie an application must be lodged with Lake Macquarie City Council.


For more information please go to the Lake Macquarie City Council Tree Pruning web page.


As a property owner, it is your responsibility to identify if a tree is native, non-native or otherwise exempt from requiring consent prior to removal or pruning.

Council does not provide a species identification service and will only identify the species after an application is received.

To identify tree species prior to lodging your application are Council suggests:

  • A consulting arborist or horticulturist can identify the species and complete a health and hazard assessment of the tree. They can confirm whether Council consent is required.
  • A reputable tree service operator may be able to identify the species, provide advice on whether Council consent is required for pruning or removal, and provide a quote for any works.
  • Take a sample (e.g. leaves and fruit/seed/nut) to a local nursery for identification.
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TREE REMOVAL REGULATIONS



Lake Macquarie City Council.

Why is it important to have my trees pruned regularly?

Tree pruning involves the selective removal of certain parts of a tree, such as branches, buds, or roots.

Reasons to prune trees include deadwood removal, shaping (by controlling or directing growth), improving or maintaining health, reducing risk from falling branches, preparing nursery specimens for transplanting, and both harvesting and increasing the yield or quality of flowers and fruits.



Here are some key reasons why regular tree pruning is important:

  1. Health: Pruning can remove dead, diseased, or insect-infested branches, helping to prevent further spread of decay, diseases, or pests within the tree. It also allows for increased air circulation and sunlight penetration, which can improve the overall health of the tree.
  2. Safety: Overgrown or dead branches can pose significant safety hazards. They can fall and cause injury or damage to property, especially during severe weather conditions. Regular pruning helps to reduce these risks by removing potentially dangerous branches.
  3. Aesthetics: Pruning can greatly enhance the appearance of trees, making a landscape more attractive. By removing unwanted branches, trees can be shaped and their natural form maintained or improved.
  4. Growth Control: Through pruning, the growth of a tree can be directed to achieve a desired shape or to keep it within a certain space. This is particularly important in urban or residential areas, where trees might interfere with buildings, power lines, or other structures.
  5. Fruit and Flower Production: For fruit trees, regular pruning is crucial for improving the quantity and quality of the crop. Pruning encourages the growth of spurs, which will produce fruit in the following season. It also allows for better light penetration and air circulation around the fruit, reducing the risk of disease.
  6. Prevent Overcrowding: In forests or dense planting arrangements, pruning can help prevent trees from overcrowding. This ensures that all trees have enough room to grow and access sufficient resources like sunlight and nutrients.


Regular pruning, when done correctly, supports the healthy growth and longevity of trees, contributing to a safer and more pleasing environment. However, it's important to note that pruning should be done with care, as improper pruning can harm the tree. It's often best to consult with or hire a professional arborist to ensure that pruning is done correctly and at the right time for the specific type of tree.

You can prune branches from native trees overhanging from a neighbouring property as long as pruning does not exceed 10% of the tree canopy. You can prune the tree back to the boundary line of your property. Pruning works must be carried out in accordance with acceptable industry standards. Pruning that exceeds 10% is subject to an application to Council. 

You should discuss the pruning with your neighbour first and work should be carried out by a qualified arborist.

Offcuts are green waste and should be disposed in your green waste bin. In the interests of maintaining good neighbourly relations, offcuts should not to be thrown back onto the neighbouring property.

Councils do not have the authority to enter into disputes between neighbours about trees. This is deemed a civil matter covered by NSW State Legislation Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006.

You can seek legal advice from a solicitor, the Community Justice Centre, Chamber Magistrate at your Local Court, or the Land and Environment Court.


Can I prune my Neighbour's Tree?

Pruning a neighbours tree

What is Deadwooding?

Deadwooding is a specific tree pruning technique that involves the selective removal of dead, dying, or diseased branches from a tree.

This process is crucial for several reasons, mainly related to the health, safety, and aesthetics of the tree and its surrounding area.

Deadwood refers to tree branches or limbs that no longer have living tissue; these can be easily identified as they do not produce leaves or bark may be missing, revealing dry, cracked wood underneath.

Reasons for Deadwooding

 

  1. Safety: Dead branches can become brittle and weak, making them prone to breaking off. This poses a risk to people, pets, and property below, especially in areas with high pedestrian or vehicle traffic. Removing these branches reduces the risk of injury or damage.
  2. Health of the Tree: By removing dead or diseased branches, the spread of decay, fungi, and pests within the tree can be prevented. Deadwood can serve as an entry point or breeding ground for pests and diseases that can spread to healthier parts of the tree or even to nearby trees.
  3. Aesthetic Appeal: Dead branches can detract from the overall appearance of a tree. Removing them helps to maintain or enhance the tree's natural shape and beauty, contributing positively to the landscape's aesthetic value.
  4. Improved Growth and Structure: Deadwooding can also help improve the tree's structure and promote healthier growth. By removing dead branches, the tree can redirect its energy towards producing new, healthy growth. This can lead to a stronger, more vibrant tree.

Best Practices for Deadwooding

 

  1. Timing: While dead branches can be removed at any time of the year, it's often best to perform deadwooding during the dormant season for many tree species. This minimizes stress on the tree and reduces the risk of attracting pests that are active during warmer months.
  2. Technique: Proper pruning techniques are crucial to avoid damaging the tree. Cuts should be made just outside the branch collar (the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk or a larger branch) to promote healing.
  3. Equipment: Using clean, sharp tools is important to make clean cuts and prevent the spread of disease.
  4. Professional Assistance: For large trees, trees in difficult locations, or when dealing with extensive deadwooding, it may be best to hire a professional arborist. They have the expertise, experience, and equipment to safely and effectively perform the job.

Arborist

Before you fire up the chainsaw or clippers and attack your tree, getting a professional Arborist to look at it could save your tree, and save you some money.

Tree Removal

Trees are an essential part of nature. However, there are times when they can be a hazard to you, your family or your home. If your tree is dead or dying, or is in a dangerous location, tree removal may be the best option.

Stump Grinding

Tree removal is not the whole job, the remaining trunk requires a process called stump grinding. Tree removal and stump grinding often combine to completely remove unsightly stumps which are an eyesore and can be a hazard to you and your family.

What is a Stump Grinding Machine?


A stump grinding machine is a specialised piece of power equipment designed to effectively remove tree stumps.

The machine consists of a sharp cutting wheel which spins at high speed and allows the user systematically grind away at a tree stump until it has been removed to below the surface of the ground. The action of the spinning disk will grind the timber into wood chips. These wood chips can be easily removed using hand tools.


Stump Grinding machines are designed in various shapes and sizes. Some machines are small enough to fit on a small box trailer while others need to be towed by heavy vehicles. These machines are commonly used in the arbor industry, as tree stumps are usually the result of a large tree being removed from a property. A property owner may want to remove the stump to create more space, to make way for building developments or just for aesthetic reasons.


A stump grinder has a cutting wheel with reinforced carbide teeth. The operator maneuvers cutter wheel by hydraulic controls located around the handles on larger machines. Smaller machines can be controlled by hand movements.


Stump Grinders are usually powered by using a petrol powered engine. Electrical power is not suitable for these machines as they require high amperage supply which not usually available in residential areas. Specialised stump Grinding attachments may also be fitted to farm equipment or machinery such as tractors or excavators. 


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