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How we manage trees

Yarra's Urban Forest Strategy guides tree management and enhancement efforts for livability.

Notice

This page is about management of street trees in Yarra. For help managing trees on private property, please visit managing trees and your property.

Our Urban Forest Strategy

We manage approximately 35,000 trees in Yarra streets and parklands.

Our Urban Forest Strategy [ PDF, 4.46 MB] provides a clear charter for the future custodianship of Yarra's street and park tree population. We have an ongoing commitment to manage and enhance our urban forest, which includes:

  • planting trees
  • establishing trees
  • pruning trees
  • removing trees
  • managing and planning for future tree development

All of the trees, exotic or native, old or young contribute to the livability of Yarra and provide environmental, social, and economical benefits to the community.

Street tree policy

We plant and maintain street trees guided by our Street Tree Policy [ PDF, 213.53 KB] .

We have researched and developed practical and innovative methods to achieve improvements to street tree maintenance and health.

We are also maximising opportunities for planting new street trees.

Identifying significant trees

Some trees are deemed significant under law, and must be managed accordingly.

Learn about how to identify a significant tree, and how to manage their protection, pruning or removal.

Significant trees

Caring for street trees in Yarra

We have dedicated professional tree contractors to care for Yarra's tree population.

The activities performed by the contractors include:

  • pruning and removals
  • planting and establishment
  • tree pest and disease management
  • tree root management

When we prune street trees

Our street tree maintenance program operates as per the map shown below and as per the months/years stated against each 'zone' in our Electric Line Clearance Management Plan 2024/25 [ PDF, 1.96 MB] .

These works are programmed every two years to maintain safe clearances from power lines, roads, signage, vehicles and pedestrians and meet Council’s obligations under the Electrical Line Clearance Regulations 2020.

Council requests and appreciates your understanding in completing these necessary works. Should you have any questions regarding these works please contact Council’s Open Space Services Team on 9205 5555 or email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au.

In 2020 the Victorian Government regulations changed and the distance required to keep trees clear of the powerlines has increased. This means that we must prune trees harder to comply with the regulations. In some cases, hard pruning can affect the vitality and health of a tree. In these cases (which are rare), a tree may need to be removed.

We will not prune or remove a tree to:

  • Reduce leaf litter or debris
  • Increase car parking
  • Reduce overshadowing or solar access
  • Improve visibility of advertising signage
  • Prevent wildlife accessing tree or properties

Electric Line Clearance Management Plan 2024/25 [ PDF, 1.87 MB]

We prune trees to:

  • 3.5 metres above council roads
  • 3 metres above footpaths
  • 1.5 metres from structures (excluding structural limbs)
Street Tree Pruning Specifications

When making decisions about removing trees we are guided by our Street Tree Policy [ PDF, 213.53 KB] .

Removal of a tree is usually the last option and only considered when other options to rectify the concern have been exhausted.

We will only consider removing trees that are:

  • Dead
  • Dying
  • Structurally unsound
  • Proven to be causing property damage that cannot be remedied through other arboricultural solutions

We plant approximately 800 trees per year, along with thousands of other plants for revegetation in local parks and gardens.

Whenever a tree is removed, a replacement tree will be planted.

You can request a new tree to be planted by following the link below.

Request a new tree

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.