Pruning Trees
The City is responsible for the pruning of street trees (trees that are located on the verge). Only City authorised contractors or approved City staff may prune street trees. Trees should be allowed to develop their natural canopy and will generally not be pruned. Where pruning is essential, it will be approved and undertaken by the City or a nominated contractor.
Street trees are pruned to provide the following:
To clear overhead powerlines and other utility services
To improve the tree’s form, structural integrity or health
To clear infrastructure such as streetlights, street signs and City controlled CCTV
To maintain pedestrian and vehicle access and/ or sightlines
In accordance with statutory and other industry guidelines and requirements
Tree root encroachment and suspect damage to adjoining infrastructure shall be assessed on a case by case basis and actioned accordingly.
The City does not prune trees for the following reasons:
To reduce its size
To reduce shade
To reduce leaf/bark/flower/seed drop – this is a natural occurrence
To reduce birds nesting or feeding in the tree
To improve views
The proximity to infrastructure if the tree is in good health and structure
The City will only manage shrubs in the instances of drain clearing, footpath and sight-line clearances.
To request for a street tree to be pruned, please contact City's Streetscape Team on 9394 5000 or email info@armadale.wa.gov.au
Requests for Tree Pruning and Maintenance
Requests to the City’s Parks Services team for street tree maintenance works are prioritised and acted upon accordingly on the basis of the information provided.
When you make a tree service request, we will inspect the tree within a given timeframe based on the reported concern raised. If the tree is found to need work, we will implement any works based on the trees condition or risks identified. We will address all conditions in need of immediate attention first/safety.
The Streetscape team will evaluate the health and function of the tree in accordance with the City's tree management guidelines and determine if maintenance work is required.
If the condition does not require immediate attention, we will address the issue in the next pruning cycle.
We will continue to inspect and respond to tree conditions including requests submitted by residents
If you consider a tree needs our attention, please report it to the City’s Parks Streetscape Team on 9394 5000 or info@armadale.wa.gov.au
Tree and Powerlines
Naturally occurring verge trees, primarily Marris and Jarrahs (which are the prominent species in the hills), that are impeding power lines are generally managed by Western Power. Should you have an issue regarding naturally occurring trees and power lines please contact Western Power on 13 13 51.
For any other verge trees that have been planted and/or cultivated that are impeding the power lines, contact the City on 9394 5000.
If the tree is entangled in electrical wires. Please make the safe call and contact Western Power 13 13 51 to report a tree touching or close to powerlines.
Contact Western Power for more information on whose job it is to trim trees near powerlines.
Keeping your trees clear from powerlines
Privately Owned Trees
The City does not perform work on trees located on private property.
The City is bound by legislative requirements, in particular the Local Government Act 1995, which determines that the City cannot intervene unless it has been determined that:
The tree must present an immediate danger to the adjoining property, or the occupants; or
The tree must present an immediate danger to the general public.
The City’s practise with enquiries of this nature is as follows:
If the tree is likely to only affect an adjoining owner, then the City refers the applicant to address the matter directly with the owner of the offending tree.
Should Option 1 above not resolve the issue, then the applicant is advised to refer the matter to the civil courts
It would be cost prohibitive for the City to pursue such matters on behalf of an applicant, as the costs incurred would impact on the ratepayers of the City of Armadale.
There is a standard process suggested for resolving private tree matters that can be found at:
