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    Maintaining trees

    Being green and leafy is important to Glen Eira. Trees are valuable and make our city a better place to live. They provide many benefits, including environmental, aesthetic, economic, and cultural ones.

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    In the last 20 years, we've increased our street trees from 30,000 to over 50,000. Each year, we aim to plant approximately 1,000 new and replacement trees throughout the municipality, in streets and parks. We also have proactive programs to regularly audit Council owned and managed trees for tree health.

    Tree maintenance

    We maintain trees we own, including those in our parks and along nature strips.

    Tree pruning program

    Our trees are pruned through a scheduled program. The program helps to:

    • reduce the risk to public safety
    • provide clearance around service and utility lines
    • shape young trees to promote structurally sound branching for the future. 

    Each year, we carry out a planned tree pruning program that involves moving through designated city blocks on a two-year schedule.

    To find out more, visit our trees and power lines page. 

    Request a Council tree to be pruned

    If you think a tree in Glen Eira needs pruning, let us know by contacting us:

    Not all requests for pruning will result in tree works being scheduled. Our qualified officers consider all requests to undertake works on our trees and assess if they are required in line with our Urban Forest Strategy, Electrical Line Clearance Management Plan and Road Management Plan.

    Pruning requests will be completed in the following time frames:

    1. imminent danger — 24-hour response
    2. identified as hazardous — 5 working days
    3. requires pruning, but not hazardous — within 60 working days.

    Note: following a major storm event, response times may be delayed.

    Tree removal

    We seek to avoid tree removal wherever possible and use criteria to prevent unplanned tree removal. Wildlife habitat is considered a major factor in making all tree management and removal decisions.

    Request an inspection for a tree removal

    Tree removal will be considered:

    • if a tree is considered hazardous
    • to facilitate approved infrastructure improvements or development activities.

    Trees will not be removed:

    • to facilitate views (including advertising signs)
    • to install solar panels or awnings
    • for debris or fruit drop that is considered a normal part of the tree’s life cycle.

    If you think a tree in Glen Eira meets the criteria to be removed, let us know by contacting us:

    The tree needs to be inspected and assessed by a qualified officer or Council engaged consultant. This assessment will then decide if tree removal is the best management option for the tree.

    When a tree is removed, the site will be assessed for planting a replacement tree within an appropriate tree planting season.

    Approved tree removal requests will be actioned within the following time frames.

    Issue Time frame
    Imminent danger 24 hours
    Identified as hazardous five (5) working days
    Require removal, but not hazardous within 60 working days
    Stump removal within four (4) weeks of tree removal
    Tree replacements the next appropriate tree planting season
    Amenity funded removals 10 working days

    Unauthorised tree removal

    If our trees are removed by any person or authority without our authorisation, that person or authority may be subjected to enforcement action under the Glen Eira community local law or Canopy Tree Protection Local Law. 

    That person or authority shall also meet the full cost of reinstatement of the tree within the landscape.  Tree Canopy (Amenity) Contribution Requirements may also be applied to the tree’s removal.

    To report an unauthorised tree removal contact us:

    Tree planting

    We plant over 1,000 new and replacement trees across the city each planting season.

    Request a new nature strip tree

    All street trees that are removed will be replaced unless site restrictions deem the planting of a tree to be inappropriate.

    To request a new nature strip tree contact us:

    Unless you have a permit, you can't plant on Council owned or managed land.

    We may remove such plantings and no compensation will be available to residents for the removal of these.

    When and what trees do we plant

    Our tree planting season runs from April to October each year.

    Once planted, each tree is added to our establishment program which typically runs for two years or until the tree has established enough to thrive.

    Our trees are purchased yearly and meet a certain level of quality to ensure that they are:

    • healthy
    • structurally sound
    • provide us with the best possible tree establishment outcomes within the landscape. 

    What species we plant depends on a range of factors such as:

    • planting site characteristics (size, location, limitations)
    • climate suitability
    • landscape character
    • biodiversity values
    • form and habit
    • mature canopy cover.

    Nature strip planting permits for ground covers, low-growing shrubs and grasses

    Residents are permitted to plant ground covers and low-growing shrubs and grasses as an alternative to grass. Indigenous plants are preferred as they provide habitat for native butterflies, bees, birds and other wildlife and often require less water.

    A permit is required from Council before planting a nature strip. This is an obligation under Glen Eira City Council’s Community Local Law 2019 Clause 32. Residents are encouraged to read the Nature Strip Planting Guidelines for all nature strip planning and planting. Our Indigenous Plants of Glen Eira also has information on Indigenous plants.

    There is a $50 fee for a Nature Strip Planting Permit. Once your permit is approved, we’ll send you a confirmation email. You will also receive a $50 voucher to an indigenous nursery for the purchase of plants for your nature strip.

    Apply for a Nature strip planting permit online

    Storm response

    Find out the best ways to report damaged or fallen trees from storms. If you are in immediate danger contact triple zero (000).

    Report a Council tree damaged by storms

    If you notice a Council tree has been damaged by storms the best way to let us know is through Snap Send Solve, free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

    We are available 24/7 to manage Council's trees during storms, so if there is an issue with a Council tree call us on 9524 3333 to report an issue and follow the prompts to speak to an officer after hours.

    Report a private tree damaged by storms

    If a storm-damaged tree is on private land, contact VIC SES on 132 500 for help. 

    Tree roots

    Tree roots generally don’t damage stormwater or sewer pipes that are in good condition. In Glen Eira, most issues occur with old concrete and terracotta pipes that have cracked or shifted over time.

    Tree roots and pipes

    Well-built and properly maintained stormwater and sewer pipes are strong enough to handle pressure from tree roots, vehicles, and foot traffic. Tree roots naturally seek out moisture in the soil, following it back to the source to support their growth.

    However, when pipes are old, damaged, or poorly maintained, cracks and gaps can form. This allows tree roots to enter and cause blockages. If a pipe is intact and not leaking, tree roots won’t be drawn to it because there’s no moisture escaping.

    As a property owner, you are responsible for maintaining your private stormwater and sewer pipes. These pipes must be kept in good condition up to their discharge point, which is either:

    1. Under the footpath and nature strip into a Council underground Barrel Drain, or into a Council barrel drain located at the rear of a property in a documented drainage easement.
    2. Under the footpath and nature strip exiting to the kerb of the roadway or; or
    3. Into the underground sewer system that is managed by the relevant water authority.

    Tree roots generally don’t damage stormwater or sewer pipes that are in good condition. In Glen Eira, most issues occur with old concrete and terracotta pipes that have cracked or shifted over time.

    When pipes leak, the surrounding soil becomes moist, attracting tree roots to grow inside. While plumbers can remove roots in some cases, the only permanent fix is to replace old pipes with modern, sealed PVC systems.

    Maintaining household drainage and sewer pipes is the responsibility of the property owner, not the Council.

    If you arrange for a plumber to expose the damaged pipe, contact us on 9524 3333 and book in a date and time for a our arborist to attend and assess the exposed pipe network and any tree roots present in line with your enquiry.

    Before any works on your stormwater outlet within the road reserve which includes the nature strip and footpath, an Asset Consent Permit is required.

    To find out more and to apply, visit our Asset Consent permit page.

    Tree root pruning or barrier installation

    If you believe tree roots are impacting infrastructure, our qualified officer must inspect and assess the request.

    Root barriers may help prevent or delay tree roots from affecting nearby infrastructure.

    We will determine the best approach based on a site inspection, any suspected infrastructure damage, and the health of the tree.

    Trees on private land

    We don't prune or maintain trees on private property.

    Keeping your trees and shrubs under control

    As a property owner, you’re responsible for maintaining trees and shrubs to keep pedestrians safe and ensure clear visibility for drivers.

    • Trees must be trimmed to provide at least three (3) metres of clearance above pedestrian areas and stay within your property boundary.
    • Shrubs must not extend beyond your fence line or onto the footpath.

    Make sure to prune any overhanging vegetation regularly.

    If you notice low-hanging branches from a tree on private property blocking a footpath contact us:

    Removal or pruning of a canopy tree on your property

    If you have a canopy tree on your property, you will need a permit to prune, remove, or undertake works within the Tree Protection Zone of the tree.

    A canopy tree is:

    • palm tree taller than eight metres measured from ground level
    • tree with a stump circumference of 140 centimetres or more measured at ground level
    • tree taller than five metres measured from ground level
    • trunk circumference of 140 centimetres or more measured at a point 140 centimetres along the trunk’s length from ground level
    • combined trunk circumference of 140 centimetres or more measured at a point 140 centimetres along the trunks’ lengths from ground level.

    The permit is free of charge.

    To find out more on the Canopy Tree Protection Local Law, if you have a canopy tree or to apply for a permit, visit our Canopy tree protection page.

    Problems with neighbouring trees

    Overhanging branches or encroaching roots from a neighbour's tree can often be a source of conflict between neighbours.

    We can't negotiate or intervene in such disputes as this is a ‘civil matter’ that must be resolved between you and your neighbour. And we can't permit you to work on a tree without the owner's permission.

    Before considering any action, you should talk to your neighbour about your concerns and seek advice on your legal rights. For practical advice on how to approach your neighbour, and to find out what your rights and obligations are, visit the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria website. 

    Tree vandalism

    Sadly deliberate acts of vandalism of young trees and shrubs have been seen across Glen Eira.

    Report tree vandalism

    Our trees are protected within Council’s Community Local Law.

    Any pruning, lopping, removal of branches, interfering, intentional damage or poisoning of a Council tree by a member of the community is considered an offence.

    Reporting tree vandalism as soon as possible helps us inspect the damage and undertake any required mitigation work.

    To report tree vandalism contact us:

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