Sydney street trees

Street tree program

Street trees in the local area will be protected and maintained as part of the City of Sydney's tree maintenance program.

Arborists and management teams from the City of Sydney have worked closely with the community to develop the tree policies and street tree planting program.

Planting street trees

Over the past 13 years, more than 13,100 street trees have been planted throughout the local area. We plant the street trees in the cooler months of the year, from March to October, to ensure they don't suffer heat stress and establish quickly.

We plant large trees that are suited to the surrounds. Using quality stock and improved installation and maintenance procedures means our newly planted trees will grow into healthy and mature specimens.

The street tree master plan contains more information about the types of trees that will be planted in different streets.

More street trees will be planted to ensure the various benefits they provide can be enjoyed by present and future generations. Our target is to increase the local area's green canopy by 50%. 

Due to tree management and legal liability issues, street trees should only be planted by the City of Sydney, unless as a condition of development approval.

Street tree pruning

Street tree maintenance in the local area is planned and carried out by us. This ensures street trees are assessed each year by our qualified teams and local greenery meets the highest arboricultural standards.

Street trees will be pruned to:

• remove any dead, dying or dangerous branches
• allow people and traffic to pass under the branches freely
• allow enough space underneath branches where they are near buildings
• improve their health
• ensure they don’t block traffic signs.

Street trees will not be pruned to:

• allow or improve a view
• reduce fruit or leaf fall, sap drop, bird droppings or similar
• increase street lighting onto private property
• violate in any way laws and regulations that protect trees.

If you believe a street tree requires pruning, please review the relevant tree management policies first. You should then contact us online. The tree will be assessed and any necessary work will be carried out by our staff.

Please do not prune street trees yourself. They are public property and it is our responsibility to look after them.

Street tree removal

Trees, like all living things, grow, age and eventually die. Whilst tree removal is a last resort option, public safety is always a priority.

If we inspect a tree and decides to remove it for one of the reasons specified above, a sign is placed on the trunk giving the reason for removal and the replacement planting proposed. Contact details of the inspecting officer are also included in the sign.

Tree pruning for power line clearance

We do not prune trees for power line clearance. Ausgrid is responsible for pruning street trees in these circumstances and sets out the required clearance for its power lines. Please visit the Ausgrid site for more information. 

Trees and their effects on drains and pipes

Tree roots can sometimes inadvertently impact sewer and stormwater pipes. It is important to establish the cause of the problem and who is responsible for rectifying it.

You can download a factsheet with some answers to the most commonly-asked questions. 

Trees and their effects on buildings and other structures

Roots from large trees can sometimes damage buildings, but these are just one of many reasons a building may start to show signs of damage. It's important to have expert advice to establish the cause of a problem, who is responsible and how it can be resolved.

You can download a factsheet with some answers to the most commonly-asked questions.