How we manage public trees
A quick guide to caring for the trees that shape our streets, parks and neighbourhoods.
See our trees mapped and categorised by species and significant tree status, or learn about tree planting and maintenance efforts, all on our interactive dashboard.
Caring for our trees
Council cares for approximately 36,000 public trees across Yarra’s streets and parklands. These trees are a much‑loved part of our neighbourhoods and play an important role in keeping Yarra healthy, leafy, and liveable for everyone.
To support a safe and thriving community, Yarra City Council manages the Public Tree Pruning Program. All public trees are inspected every two years to assess their health and condition and to ensure required clearance standards are met. This includes maintaining safe distances from power lines, roads, signage, vehicles, and pedestrian pathways, in line with Council’s responsibilities under the Electrical Line Clearance Regulations 2020.
The municipality is divided into 10 tree management blocks/zones, with pruning carried out on a rotating two‑year schedule based on odd and even calendar years. This approach allows us to plan ahead while caring for trees consistently across the city.
Every tree, whether native or exotic, young or mature, contributes to Yarra’s character and wellbeing. Together, they provide valuable environmental, social, and economic benefits, helping to cool our streets, support biodiversity, and create welcoming public spaces for the community to enjoy.
When we prune public trees
How we prune public trees
We prune trees to:
- 4 metres above council roads
- 2.5 metres above footpaths
- 0.5 metres from structures (excluding structural limbs)
Note: Structural branches or limbs located within 2.5 m of footpaths or 0.5 m of houses or structures are not required to be pruned.
Pruning clearance requirements for footpaths, bicycle lanes, and roads are governed by the Road Management Plan 2025 [ PDF, 494.54 KB] .
Pruning clearance requirements for electrical line are governed by the Electric Line Clearance Plan 2026-2027 [ PDF, 2.37 MB] .
Pruning and removal criteria
To help protect Yarra’s urban forest and ensure consistent decision‑making, there are some circumstances where Council will not prune or remove public trees. These include requests based on appearance, convenience, or minor impacts that do not affect safety or tree health.
Council will not prune or remove a tree for the following reasons:
Trees will not be pruned or removed solely to improve their appearance or visual appeal.
Trees will not be pruned or removed to create or increase the availability of car parking spaces.
Trees will not be pruned or removed to increase sunlight or daylight into private properties or gardens, or to improve solar access.
Trees will not be pruned or removed to address minor allergenic or irritant responses.
Trees will not be pruned or removed to reduce the natural shedding of bark, leaves, fruit, flowers, or similar plant material onto footpaths, roads, nature strips, or private property, including roofs and gutters.
Trees will not be pruned or removed to reduce branches or foliage overhanging private property, except where vegetation is within 0.5 metres of private infrastructure.
Trees will not be pruned or removed to improve the visibility of advertising or other private signage.
Trees will not be pruned or removed solely to reduce their height, size, or canopy spread.
Trees will not be pruned or removed to improve general sightlines unless they obstruct traffic, road signage, or required visibility under the Road Management Plan.
Trees will not be pruned or removed to prevent wildlife access or presence, including the removal of nests, habitat, hives, native fauna, or to limit insect secretions.
Community planting days
Planting days predominantly occur in spring and autumn, though successful plant regeneration can occur all year round.
We work with a number of organisations who run community planting days in Yarra.
Visit our events calendar to find out about community planting groups and initiatives.
Tree roots
Our street trees are often growing in confined spaces within road and footpath cut outs and close to properties.
The majority of our estimated 35,000 street trees do not cause damage, though on occasion there can be conflict with surrounding infrastructure and private properties.
We complete a 2 year inspection of all roadways and footpaths and all root pruning and management works are performed between April and October to minimise any effect on the tree.
Structural damage to private property is not always tree related and can be caused by any or many of the following:
- Inadequate or poor quality footings
- Poor drainage or inadequate storm water discharge
- Damaged, leaking water or sewage pipes
- Nearby construction disturbance
- Alterations to the property
- Service pits such as gas or Telstra
Home owners' responsibilities
As a property owner it is your responsibility to ensure that all pipes on your land are completely sealed to prevent roots entering. You also need to make sure there are no leaking pipes encouraging root growth close to pipes.
For these reasons we require the property owner to provide evidence that the damage to their property has been caused by a Yarra City Council tree by providing a GEO technical (soil engineer) report on the site.
If a Yarra City Council tree is proven to be causing damage to private property, our arborist will review measures to prevent the damage continuing and ultimately retain the tree. As a last resort the tree may be removed.
If you suspect your property is damaged by a Yarra City Council tree roots, please report an issue with us.