Exemptions
There are four types of exemptions that apply to the approval for pruning and removal of trees:
Hedges
You don't need permission to trim or remove hedges if:
- the pruning is regular maintenance and involves cutting back less than 500mm in relation to the hedge's current size (height, width, or depth)
- the branches being pruned are less than 30mm thick.
Dead Trees
You don’t need permission to remove dead branches or dead trees, however you must ensure that the tree is not home to any native fauna.
Prior to removal it is recommended that you:
- seek professional advice to confirm that the tree is dead
- notify Council of your intention to remove the tree and provide evidence that the tree is dead.
Exempt Species
If your property is a heritage item or if your tree is listed on the significant tree register you will need to submit a development application, even if the tree species is listed as an exempt species.
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Botanical name
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Common name
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Acacia baileyana
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Cootamundra Wattle
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Acacia podalyrifolia
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Mount Morgan Wattle
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Acacia saligna
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Golden Willow Wattle
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Acer negundo
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Box Elder
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Ailanthus altissima
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Tree of Heaven
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Cinnamomum camphora (not exempt if 10m or more in height)
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Camphor Laurel
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Celtis spp. (not exempt if 10m or more in height)
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Hackberry
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Cotoneaster spp.
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Cotoneaster
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Eriobotrya japonica
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Loquat Tree
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Erythrina spp. (not exempt if 10m or more in height)
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Coral Trees
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Ficus elastica
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Rubber Tree
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Gleditsia triacanthos
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Honey Locust
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Grevillea robusta
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Silky Oak
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Lagunana patersonii
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Norfolk Is. Hibiscus
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Ligustrum lucidum and cvs
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Large Leaf Privet
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Ligustrum sinense
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Small Leaf Privet
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Liquidambar styraciflua (not exempt if 10m or more in height)
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Liquidambar
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Musa cavendishii
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Banana
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Nerium oleander
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Oleander
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Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata
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African Olive
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Pinus radiata
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Radiata Pine
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Pinus eliottii
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Slash Pine
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Populus spp. (not exempt if 10m or more in height)
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Poplar
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Robinia pseudoacaia
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Black Locust
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Salix spp.
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Willow
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Schefflera actinophylla
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Umbrella Tree
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Syagrus romanzoffianum
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Cocos Palm
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Extract from Hunters Hill Consolidated Development Control Plan(PDF, 6MB).