AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborists across the Northern Beaches
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Tree Pruning Northern Beaches

Professional tree pruning, Level 5 arborists and Council permit support.

We provide professional tree pruning throughout the Northern Beaches, from deadwood and damaged branch removal to selective pruning around homes, driveways and other structures.

Where Council approval or arboricultural assessment is required, our AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborists can establish the correct pathway before work begins. We check the applicable Council pruning requirements first, assess what the tree can reasonably tolerate and carry out appropriate pruning where required.

Get a Free Quote0494 077 630
  • AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborists
  • QTRA & TRAQ Qualified
  • 32+ Years' Experience
  • Council Pathway Checked First
Arborist selectively pruning a eucalypt beside a home

Can I prune a tree without Northern Beaches Council approval?

Quick answer

Northern Beaches Council currently allows reasonable pruning of up to 10% of a tree's canopy within 12 calendar months without a Council permit, provided the pruning complies with AS 4373-2007 and no other protection overrides the exemption.

Council also allows removal of deadwood and mistletoe or another parasitic plant without a permit, subject to the relevant requirements.

The 10% provision does not mean any 10% of a tree can simply be removed. Which branches are selected matters. Branch size, position, attachment and structural function can affect how a tree responds. Poorly selected cuts can damage tree structure and health even where the total foliage removed appears relatively small.

Where proposed work exceeds the exemption, or another protection applies to the tree or property, Council approval may be required. See Council's rules for pruning trees on private land.

Tree pruning guidelines: the full rules

Council permits and the pruning we carry out

Pruning that may require a Council permit

  • selective pruning where branches conflict with a building or other structure
  • maintenance pruning of dead, diseased or dying branches
  • root pruning where roots are affecting built or natural structures
  • pruning required for service lines
  • pruning required for vehicle sight lines or road-related requirements
  • pruning exceeding what is permitted under Council's pruning exemption

Council states that approved pruning must not be detrimental to the health of the tree and should comply with AS 4373-2007. If you are unsure whether the work is exempt, establish the Council pathway before pruning begins. Applications are made through Council's Tree Removal and Pruning application.

Tree pruning we carry out

  • deadwood removal
  • damaged or broken branch removal
  • selective pruning around buildings
  • appropriate clearance from roofs, gutters and structures
  • removal or management of defective branches
  • pruning to suitable branch unions
  • canopy management within Council requirements
  • assessment and pruning of larger mature trees
  • pruning associated with approved building or development work

The amount and type of pruning appropriate for one tree may be unsuitable for another. We assess what needs to be achieved, what Council permits and what the tree can reasonably tolerate before carrying out the work.

Can I prune my neighbour's tree?

Overhanging branches are one of the most common tree issues on the Northern Beaches. A neighbour's tree may extend across your boundary and interfere with roofs and gutters, driveways, pools, decks, fences, property access, sunlight or other vegetation.

However, the fact that a branch crosses the property boundary does not override Northern Beaches Council's tree controls. Before pruning a neighbour's tree, establish whether the proposed work complies with Council requirements and whether other planning, heritage or biodiversity protections apply.

Can I cut overhanging branches back to the boundary?

Not automatically. A property boundary is a legal boundary; it is not necessarily the correct point at which to make a pruning cut. Correct pruning generally requires branches to be cut at suitable branch unions in accordance with accepted arboricultural practice.

Simply cutting every branch vertically at the fence line can create poor pruning cuts, canopy imbalance, excessive foliage loss on one side, unnecessary stress, structural problems and increased future maintenance. If you are unsure, send us photographs of the tree and boundary before arranging the pruning.

Neighbour's tree branches overhanging a Colorbond boundary fence

Can I prune a tree away from my house?

Potentially. Branches growing close to roofs, gutters, balconies, windows and other structures are a common reason people contact us for tree pruning.

Northern Beaches Council identifies selective pruning of branches causing conflicts such as building encroachment as work that may be considered through its permit system. The objective should normally be to achieve appropriate clearance rather than unnecessarily reducing the entire tree. That can mean selectively pruning the branches creating the conflict while retaining the remainder of the canopy.

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Vertical crack running through the trunk of a eucalypt

Is a cracked, damaged or hanging branch dangerous?

Broken, hanging, cracked or structurally compromised branches should be assessed according to the risk they present. Deadwood can generally be removed under Council's pruning exemptions. Our arborists can assess issues such as:

  • cracks and splits
  • damaged branch unions
  • hanging branches
  • storm damage
  • deadwood
  • cavities and decay
  • included bark
  • previous poor pruning
  • branch loading over buildings
  • branches over frequently occupied areas

A branch does not necessarily need to be removed simply because it contains a visible defect. The defect, branch loading, attachment, tree response and what could be struck if the branch failed all need to be considered. Where pruning is appropriate, we can carry out the pruning rather than simply provide advice.

Is my tree dangerous? 15 warning signs

Power lines, roots and what Council will not support

Can I prune a tree away from power lines?

Trees around electrical infrastructure should not be treated as ordinary tree-pruning work. Branches touching or close to overhead electrical conductors can present serious safety risks and may be subject to requirements outside Northern Beaches Council's normal private-tree pruning process. Establish who is authorised to perform the work before arranging pruning. Do not attempt to prune around live electrical infrastructure yourself.

Can tree roots be pruned?

Sometimes, but root pruning requires particular care. Roots provide both structural support and water and nutrient uptake. Cutting significant roots can affect tree health and, in some circumstances, tree stability. Root conflicts commonly occur around driveways, retaining walls, paving, pools, foundations, sewer infrastructure, stormwater infrastructure and proposed building work.

Where important roots may be affected, we can investigate their location and significance before pruning is undertaken. For more complex cases, root investigation may be more appropriate than simply cutting the roots that are visible.

What pruning does Northern Beaches Council not support?

Northern Beaches Council states that it will not permit:

  • pruning contrary to AS 4373
  • pruning beyond what the particular species can tolerate
  • lopping
  • topping
  • inappropriate alteration of soil levels within a tree's root zone

The objective should be appropriate pruning, not simply making a large tree smaller.

Topping, development work and street trees

Why topping and lopping can cause problems

Indiscriminately cutting major branches or removing the upper canopy can fundamentally alter a tree's structure. It can create large wounds, decay, excessive regrowth, poorly attached shoots, canopy imbalance and ongoing maintenance problems. Where canopy management is appropriate, the pruning method should respond to the individual tree.

Pruning during building and renovation work

Development consent conditions may specify exactly what pruning is permitted and may require work to be undertaken or supervised by an appropriately qualified arborist. Where a proposed structure conflicts with a tree canopy, the pruning implications should ideally be considered before the design is finalised. See DA arborist reports and building near trees.

What about Council street trees?

Do not prune a Northern Beaches Council street tree yourself. Where a tree on Council-managed land is affecting your property, Council asks residents to report the tree so Council can assess what work is appropriate. See Council's public-land tree page.

Professional tree pruning across all five wards

We provide professional tree pruning throughout all five Northern Beaches Council wards. See all five Northern Beaches wards.

Curl Curl Ward

Curl Curl, North Manly, Freshwater, Brookvale, Queenscliff, Dee Why

Curl Curl Ward

Narrabeen Ward

Collaroy, Cromer, Wheeler Heights, Elanora Heights, Collaroy Plateau, Oxford Falls

Narrabeen Ward

Frenchs Forest Ward

Belrose, Forestville, Killarney Heights, Davidson, Frenchs Forest

Frenchs Forest Ward

Manly Ward

Balgowlah, Seaforth, Fairlight, Manly Vale, Clontarf, Manly

Manly Ward

Pittwater Ward

Avalon Beach, Newport, Mona Vale, Bayview, Church Point, Warriewood

Pittwater Ward

Not sure what pruning your tree needs?

Send us a few photographs.

Please send:

  • photographs of the tree
  • your property address
  • where the branches or roots are causing concern
  • a brief explanation of what you want to achieve
  • any Council correspondence you already have

We can establish whether the work appears to involve routine professional pruning, Council permit pruning, tree health or safety assessment, development-related pruning or root investigation. Where professional pruning is appropriate, we can carry out the pruning work. This helps avoid unnecessary applications and inappropriate pruning before the correct pathway is established.

Get a Free Quote0494 077 630

Frequently asked questions

Northern Beaches Council currently permits reasonable pruning of up to 10% of the canopy within 12 calendar months where the work complies with AS 4373-2007 and no other protection overrides the exemption.

Council lists removal of deadwood as work that can be undertaken without a tree permit, subject to other applicable controls.

Overhanging branches do not automatically override Council tree controls. Check the applicable requirements before pruning and avoid work that could unnecessarily damage or destabilise the tree.

Any pruning still needs to comply with the applicable Council controls and accepted arboricultural practice.

Northern Beaches Council specifically identifies topping and lopping as work it will not permit.

Potentially, but root pruning can affect tree health and stability. Assessment or root investigation may be appropriate before important roots are cut.

Electrical infrastructure requires specialist consideration. Establish who is authorised to perform the work before arranging pruning.

Do not prune Council trees yourself. Report the tree to Northern Beaches Council so Council can assess the required work.

Tree pruning costs depend on tree size, access, branch size, proximity to buildings and services, the amount of pruning required and whether specialist equipment is needed. Send us photographs and the property address for an initial assessment and quote.

Official Council sources

Council requirements can change. Confirm current requirements with Northern Beaches Council before undertaking tree work.

Related pages

Tree Pruning Guidelines

Council rules, permits, overhanging branches, neighbour trees, deadwood, root pruning and AS 4373.

Tree pruning guidelines

Need tree pruning on the Northern Beaches?

We provide professional tree pruning, AQF Level 5 arborist assessment and Council permit support throughout the Northern Beaches.

Get a Free Quote0494 077 630
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