Wondering “can I remove a tree on my property”? The honest answer is that it depends on where you live and the tree itself. Sydney councils each set their own rules on which trees are protected, and getting it wrong can land you a fine. This guide gives you a plain read on how tree removal approval works in Sydney, what a tree preservation order actually is, where the 10/50 scheme fits, and how to check the rules for your own address. If the tree has you worried because it looks unhealthy, our guide on the signs your tree needs attention may help you work out what you’re dealing with.
One thing up front: treat this as a general guide, not legal advice. Rules vary by local government area and they change, so always confirm with your own council and the official NSW sources before you remove or heavily prune a tree.
The short answer: it depends on your council
In most of Sydney, you can’t just remove any tree on your own land. Councils protect trees above a certain size, and sometimes particular species, and the rules shift from one council area to the next. A tree you could take out in one suburb might be protected a few streets over in a different local government area.
So the first move is always the same: check your own council’s tree or vegetation rules for the property. The rest of this guide explains what those rules tend to cover, so you know what you’re looking for.
Tree preservation orders and development control plans
Most Sydney councils protect trees through their planning controls, often set out in a Development Control Plan or a local tree and vegetation provision. Plenty of people still call this a tree preservation order, or TPO.
Broadly, these controls protect trees above a set height or trunk size, and sometimes particular species, so established trees can’t be removed without permission. The size thresholds and the list of protected or exempt species differ by council, so don’t assume a figure you read for one area applies to yours. Your council website is where you confirm what counts as a protected tree at your address.
The 10/50 vegetation clearing scheme
The 10/50 vegetation clearing scheme is a separate, bushfire-related rule in New South Wales. In eligible areas it can let property owners clear certain vegetation close to a home without council approval, to cut bushfire risk.
The word that matters is eligible. The scheme only applies if your property sits inside a designated 10/50 clearing area, and you check that using the official tool. The NSW Rural Fire Service runs the 10/50 online tool, where you enter your address to see whether it applies to you. Don’t go off a neighbour’s situation or a rule of thumb, because eligibility comes from the mapped area, not the street name.
When you usually do not need approval
There are cases where approval often isn’t needed, though you should still confirm before you touch the tree. As general examples, small trees below the protected size, some exempt species, and certain dead or clearly dangerous trees can fall outside the controls in some council areas.
Even then, checking first is the smart move. Councils handle these exemptions differently, and a tree you think is exempt might still be protected, or might need something like an arborist report to back up removal. A quick call to your council or a qualified arborist can save you a lot of grief.
How to apply to remove a protected tree
If the tree is protected, you generally apply to your council for permission to remove or prune it. The usual path is to check your council’s specific requirements, get an arborist report if they ask for one, then lodge the application with the details and your reasons for the work.
Councils weigh up each application on its merits, so approval is never a given and outcomes vary. Give them the information they ask for, be clear about why the work is needed, and allow time for the assessment before you plan anything.
What happens if you remove a tree without approval
Take out a protected tree without the approval you needed and you can be hit with penalties, which is the main reason to check first. This isn’t meant to scare you. The fines can simply be steep, and it’s far easier to confirm where you stand beforehand than to sort out the fallout after the tree is gone. If you’re unsure, check with your council before anything comes down.
How A1 can help
A1 handles the physical tree work once any approvals are in place. That covers tree lopping and removal for trees that have to come out, plus tree pruning and trimming to keep healthy trees safe and in shape. When the work’s done, A1 can clear the site with green waste and garden rubbish removal so you’re not left staring at a pile of branches.
On the approvals side, one point to be clear about: confirming whether a tree is protected and getting any council permission is the property owner’s job, and A1’s advice is to sort that out before the work is booked. Once you’ve got the green light, the team does the tree work safely and tidies up afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove a tree on my own property in Sydney? Sometimes, not always. Most Sydney councils protect trees above a certain size or species, so check your council’s rules for your address before removing a tree. Smaller or exempt trees may not need approval, but confirm it first.
What size tree can I remove without council approval? It varies by council area. Many councils set a height or trunk-size threshold above which a tree is protected, but the figures differ between local government areas, so a number that applies in one suburb may not apply in yours. Check your council’s tree controls.
What is a tree preservation order? A planning control, often part of a council’s Development Control Plan, that protects trees above a set size or of certain species so they can’t be removed without permission. The details depend on your council.
How does the 10/50 vegetation clearing scheme work? It’s a bushfire-related scheme that can allow certain clearing near a home without council approval, but only if your property sits in a designated 10/50 area. Check your address on the NSW Rural Fire Service 10/50 online tool to see whether it applies.
For safe tree lopping, pruning and clean-up once your approvals are sorted, contact A1. See our tree lopping and removal service or get in touch.
