Tree Removal Guide
Answer seven questions to find out exactly what approval you need to remove a tree in NSW.
Tree and vegetation management policy can vary from council to council across NSW. Working through the seven questions below will tell you which of the three pathways — Exempt Development, Development Application (DA), or Complying Development (CDC) — applies to your situation. If you want to prune rather than remove, visit our Tree Pruning guide.
Tree Location
Where is the tree located?
You cannot remove trees outside your property without a Development Application from Council.
What if my neighbour's tree is causing problems?
Before applying for removal
If a neighbour's tree is affecting your property, consider pruning first — it often resolves the problem without a DA. Visit our Tree Pruning guide for more.
Neighbour notification
If you apply to prune a tree not on your property, your neighbour will be notified and given two weeks to comment. Approval does not give you the right to enter their property.
Tree trunk is not wholly within your property
You cannot remove this tree. You may apply for a DA to have it pruned. See Tree Pruning →
Tree trunk is wholly within your property
You can proceed. Continue to Question 2.
Dead or Dangerous Tree
Is the tree dead, or has it become a hazard?
A tree can be removed without a DA if it is genuinely dead or an imminent danger. Council's definition of hazard applies.
How do I know if my tree is dead or dangerous?
Is my tree dead? — The Scratch Test
Scratch the outer layer of the trunk with a sharp tool. If the layer beneath the bark is brown and dry, the tree is dead.
Is my tree an imminent danger?
A target is a structure, vehicle or person that would be struck by a falling tree or its parts. The presence of a target directly influences the hazard rating. Examples of hazardous trees include: storm-damaged trees, bug-infested trees, leaning trees, and trees dropping excessive debris. It is also legal to remove any parasitic plant or mistletoe from any part of a tree.
An arborist can provide a professional hazard assessment if you are unsure.
Yes — tree is dead or a danger
No DA required. You may remove under Exempt Development. See Exempt Development →
No — tree is alive and not a hazard
Continue to Question 3.
Biodiversity Values Map
Is the tree on the Biodiversity Values Map?
Trees in a Biodiversity Values Area require a DA for removal regardless of species or size.
How to check the Biodiversity Values Map
- Open the NSW Biodiversity Values Map.
- Click the "Start here" button.
- Click "Search address" and enter your property address.
- Biodiversity Values areas are shown in purple on the map.
Yes — tree is in a Biodiversity Values Area
A DA is required. See Tree Removal under DA →
No — tree is not in a Biodiversity Values Area
Continue to Question 4.
Protected Tree
Is the tree on a significant species register, or in a heritage area?
A tree is protected when its species is significant or has heritage status. If you cannot identify the species, contact an arborist.
How to check if your tree is protected
Is my tree a threatened species?
- Open the NSW Threatened Species List.
- Choose your region and sub-region on the map.
- The table shows all threatened species in your area.
What is the heritage status of my area?
- Open the State Heritage Register.
- Type your address into the search field.
- Heritage status is shown in bold.
Also check your council's Local Environmental Plan (LEP), as heritage items vary by council.
Yes — tree is on a significant register or in a heritage area
A DA is required. See Tree Removal under DA →
No — tree is not protected
Continue to Question 5.
Measures
Is the tree taller than 5 m, or does it have a crown spread over 5 m?
Size thresholds vary by council. Trees below these measures can generally be removed without a DA.
Council-specific size thresholds
Trees below these sizes can be removed without a DA, unless they are in a Biodiversity Area, on a significant tree list, or have heritage status.
- Hornsby: Height less than 3 m
- Ku-Ring-Gai: Height less than 5 m and trunk diameter less than 150 mm (measured above ground)
- Lane Cove: Height less than 4 m and trunk diameter less than 150 mm (measured 1 m above ground)
- Mosman: Height less than 5 m and trunk diameter less than 150 mm (above ground)
- North Sydney: Height less than 5 m and trunk diameter less than 196 mm (above ground)
- Northern Beaches: Height less than 5 m
- Willoughby: Height less than 4 m and trunk diameter less than 190 mm (measured 1.4 m above ground)
Check your council's website if not listed above — thresholds may differ.
Yes — tree exceeds size thresholds for your council
A DA is required. See Tree Removal under DA →
No — tree is within size thresholds
Continue to Question 6.
Exempt Tree List
Is the tree on your council's exempt species list?
Many councils maintain a list of species that can be removed without approval. If you can't identify the species, an arborist can help.
Common exempt species and how to check your council's list
Common species on exempt lists
Box Elder, Cocos Palm, Coral Tree, Cotoneaster, Evergreen Alder, Hackberry, Norfolk Island Hibiscus, Privet, Tree of Heaven, Umbrella Tree.
Check your council's list
- Hornsby: Hornsby exempt tree list
- Ku-Ring-Gai: Download Tree and Vegetation DCP Part 13 (list on page 8)
- Lane Cove: Lane Cove fee-free tree works
- Mosman: Urban Forest Management Policy (pages 1–2)
- North Sydney: North Sydney trees on private land
- Northern Beaches: Exempt tree species list
- Willoughby: Search for "Part C.9 Vegetation Management" on Willoughby Council's website
If your council is not listed, search their website for "exempt tree list" or "tree management DCP."
Yes — tree is on the exempt species list
No DA required. You may remove under Exempt Development. See Exempt Development →
No — tree is not on the exempt list
Continue to Question 7.
10/50 Bushfire Area
Is the tree within 10 m of your home, on a slope greater than 18°, in a bushfire-affected 10/50 area?
Trees in the 10/50 area may be removed without a DA under specific conditions.
How to check if you're in a 10/50 area
- Open the NSW RFS 10/50 Tool.
- Accept the Terms and Conditions.
- Type your property address into the search field.
- Press "Get Results" to find out if your property is in bushfire-prone land.
Yes — tree is in a 10/50 area, within 10 m of your home
No DA required. You may remove under Exempt Development. See Exempt Development →
No — tree does not meet the 10/50 criteria
A DA is required. See Tree Removal under DA →
Thinking about pruning instead? Reasonable pruning of up to 10% of a tree's canopy within 12 months generally does not need council approval — provided the trunk is wholly within your property. Our pruning guide explains what you can do and when a DA is still needed.
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