City trees

City trees located on the verge, in a park or a reserve are managed by the City of Belmont. It is an offence to prune, damage or remove any of these trees without written approval from the City.

Here are some important things to know about the City’s approach to planting, pruning and removing City trees.

How to request a street tree for your home or business verge

Trees are very important to improving both natural and urban environments and provide many benefits to those living in the City of Belmont. 

As part of the annual Street Tree Planting Program, the city sources and grows it street tree stock from seed in line with Australian Standards. The proposed trees are ordered a minimum of 12 months in advance to allow for adequate growing time. This results in a better-quality tree long term. 

Every winter, the City plants trees as part of the Street Tree Planting Program. You can request a street tree to be planted on your council verge and the City will take care of the planting, pruning and initial watering. Ongoing maintenance of the tree, where required, will also be undertaken by the City.

Information on the City's approved street tree species can be found here.

To request a street tree, please use the request a street tree form or phone the City's Parks, Leisure and Environment team on 9477 7257.

Request for tree pruning

If you are considering making a request for the City to prune a tree, please bear in mind:
 
  • City trees are pruned to manage risk and keep roads, footpaths and overhead services clear from branches and will only be pruned to adopted standards;  
  • In February to May each year, the City conducts an annual power line pruning program, in line with Western Power’s clearance guidelines. Only street trees under power lines will be pruned during this period; 
  • Any other requests for tree pruning will be assessed by the City and actioned as appropriate. 
The City does not prune or remove trees based on general natural factors, such as leaf drop, flowers, nut drop, bark, sap or small branchlets. A quality gutter guard can successfully protect roof gutters from leaf and nut drop.

For more information on tree pruning in the City of Belmont, please use the customer request form or phone the City’s Parks, Leisure and Environment team on 9477 7257.

Request a tree removal

Street trees are an asset to our community. They provide shade, an attractive landscape, assist in improving air quality and contain conservation benefits, such as providing habitat for birds and other animals.

If you are considering requesting a City street tree to be removed, please bear in mind:
 
  • Conservation of street trees is a priority of the City; 
  • A tree will only be considered for removal when it is dead, diseased or dying or it poses a high risk of harm to people or property; 
  • Tree removal and replacement requirements associated with a development will be assessed as part of a Development Application or Crossover Application. Trees will not be removed in advance of these applications. 
Only the City or someone with specific direction and written approval from the City can remove street trees, in line with the City’s Urban Forest Policy.

For more information on tree removal in the City of Belmont, please use our customer request form or phone the City’s Parks and Environment Team on 9477 7257. 

Requests to remove a street tree related to a subdivision

If you have plans to develop, subdivide your block or install a crossover (driveway), this could impact the structural stability and health of a street tree on your verge. Here is a summary of what could happen in this case:
 
  • After you have submitted a development application, the City will assess the requirement to remove and replace existing street trees; 
  • The City’s Parks, Leisure and Environment team will assess your application and consider a range of factors, including the tree’s location, monetary value, health and life expectancy;
  • If a street tree is authorised to be removed, you would be responsible for the costs associated with removal and replacement of the tree. The City will undertake these works and nominate replacement tree species, as outlined in the City’s Street Tree Plan; 
  • In line with the City's Urban Forest Policy; where a City tree is removed, the replacement planting shall be undertaken by the City at a minimum ratio of 1:3 (so at least three trees would need to replace every tree removed);
  • If the City does not approve a street tree to be removed, the City might recommend an adjustment to your development plans or crossover location in order to leave the tree in place. With appropriate management, trees can be retained whilst achieving your development aspiration.
The City's Fact Sheet - Tree Protection has useful information on tree retention and protection requirements.

Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB)

Polyphagous shot-hole borer or PSHB (Euwallacea fornicatus) is a beetle native to Southeast Asia. About the size of a sesame seed, PSHB excavates tunnels in trees where they cultivate fungus as a food source. This fungus spreads in the tunnels of trees disrupting the flow of water and nutrients. Trees damaged by PSHB can become a constant source of beetles that can disperse and impact neighbouring trees.

PSHB is a declared pest in Western Australia under section 22(2) of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act). Early detection and the prompt removal (including stump grinding) or pruning of infested trees is key to containing the spread of PSHB and minimising further impact on neighbouring trees. No known effective chemical treatment options are available.

Tree Management

The City of Belmont is working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) to help stop the spread of this invasive pest. Where an infected tree is identified within City managed lands by the DPRID, DPRID may choose to either remove the tree or undertake reduction pruning. In accordance with DPIRD’s Tree Management Plan they are responsible for arranging, managing, and paying for these tree maintenance works to be undertaken. In line with the Urban Forest Policy, the City where possible will replace removed trees with similar species suitable for the location.

Quarantine Area

As the City of Belmont is included in the DPIRD’s quarantine area, it is important that people living or working within the Quarantine Area are aware of the restrictions on the movement of wood and plant material from their properties as they could act as hosts and potentially spread the borer. PSHB does not affect grass, so lawn clippings can be disposed of as normal.

A map of the Quarantine Area, list of tree hosts and additional information is available on the Department’s website agric.wa.gov.au/borer

Residents who suspect they have borer damage to trees should make a report to the Department through the Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080 or via the Department’s MyPestGuide™ Reporter app, or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.


For more information on street trees in the City of Belmont please phone the City’s Parks, Leisure and Environment team on 9477 7257.
extraMile by Integranet