Street Trees
Buckland Street, Plane Trees
The City of Sydney’s street trees are one of our most important assets. These trees are crucial to maintaining the high quality of our public realm and provide numerous environmental, social, health and financial benefits to the City and community.
The City’s street tree population consists of an estimated 30,000 trees, of over 120 differing species, that are both native and exotic species, evergreen and deciduous and range in age, size and condition.
The City has a Master Plan and a program to maintain the street trees, including regular assessment of their health, safety, condition, pruning, removal and replanting requirements.
Street Tree Pruning
The City is implementing programmed street tree maintenance throughout our Local Government Area. This ensures that our street trees are regularly assessed by our qualified staff and the trees are maintained to the very best arboricultural standards.
Street trees will be pruned to;
- Remove any dead, dying, dangerous, defective branches,
- Uplift the canopy (prune lower branches) to allow pedestrian and road clearance,
- Selective pruning to allow appropriate building clearance of branches in conflict with adjoining buildings,
- Formative pruning to improve the trees structural stability, health and appearance,
- Selective pruning to allow sightlines for vehicles and traffic signs.
Street trees will not be pruned to;
- Allow or improve a view,
- To reduce fruit fall, leaf fall, sap drop, bird droppings or similar,
- To increase street lighting onto private property,
- Pruning of trees contrary to Australian Standard 4373-1996 “Pruning of amenity trees”.
Georgina Street, Ficus Macrophylla
If you believe a street tree requires pruning please send in a request to the City on 9265 9333 or at council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. The City will assess the tree and prioritise the necessary works, to be undertaken by our qualified staff. Please do not undertake the pruning of street trees yourself. It is important to note that the street trees are public property and are Council’s responsibility to maintain.
Tree pruning for Powerline Clearance
The City of Sydney does not undertake the pruning of trees to provide clearance from the powerlines. Energy Australia’s service providers undertake this pruning to allow a specified clearance from their infrastructure. For information on the clearances specified by Energy Australia you can go to www.energy.com.au.
Street Tree Removal
The City regularly assesses trees for any potential structural weakness, decay and other diseases. If the City believes a tree requires removal, a sign will be placed on the trees trunk informing of the reason for removal and the replacement planting proposed. The contact details for the relevant City officer, who inspected the tree, is included on the sign should you have any questions regarding the trees removal.
If the City believes that a tree is in an imminently dangerous condition, the tree may be removed immediately to ensure public safety.
Street Tree Planting
The City’s 2006 Street Tree Planting Program proposes to concentrate planting the new street tree planting sites identified within the Southern area of the City. Up to 1500 advanced trees will be planted within this area. In addition to this, tree planting will be undertaken within the Northern area of the city with up to 300 advanced trees being planted.
Street Tree Planting
The successful 2005 Planting Program saw 743 new street trees planted within the LGA. The trees were largely concentrated within the CBD and East and West areas of the City.
The City undertakes street tree planting with large advanced stock, with the species specified in our Street Tree Master Plan. This process allows for the best tree species to be planted, using quality stock and improved installation and maintenance practices. This ensures the new tree will establish into the site quickly and grow to a healthy, mature specimen.
Tree planting is undertaken through the cooler months of the year, from mid March to the October, when the weather is more favourable for tree planting. This ensures the new trees do not suffer from heat stress and establish quickly into the site.
It is important to realise that street trees are Council's responsibility. Due to tree management and legal liability issues street trees should only be planted by the City, and not by residents, unless it is a condition of development consent.
If you would like a street tree planted, please contact the City on 02 9265 9333 or at council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.
