Trees

What you need to know about trees, whether landscaping at home or enquiring about a tree on public land.

Trees on private land

Trees within Maitland are protected under the Maitland Local Environmental Plan, 2011 and a development consent may be required for the removal of a tree on your property. You can find out more about the development consent criteria within the Application guide for Tree removal and pruning. As of 31st December 2020, all development applications must be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal. 

Information regarding tree removal on rural land can also be found at Hunter Local Land Services.

Tree removal and pruning

Development approval is required for the removal or pruning (e.g. crown thinning) of some trees in urban areas which are over three metres in height, or which have a branch spread of three metres or more, and a trunk diameter of 100mm or more measured at 1.0m.

Neighbouring trees and trees over boundaries

Where a tree on an adjoining property overhangs your boundary and the consent of the owner cannot be obtained for pruning works, Council may approve pruning of the tree to the common property boundary only. Where the consent of an owner cannot be obtained to remove a tree that is causing a nuisance on an adjoining property, the Tree (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006 contains provisions which may help to resolve the matter.

Landscaping

When landscaping or planning to plant trees and shrubs near your property be careful to not plant too close to sewer pipes. This may cause blockages or broken pipes, resulting in pipe replacement costs and or tree removal costs. If you are landscaping you can seek advice from a qualified landscaper or for maintenance and care of trees on your property a qualified arborist.

Trees on public land

Trees are a valuable asset in any city’s environment as they enhance its appearance and improve its air quality. The efficient management of a city’s trees is necessary to ensure the amenity value of these assets is maintained, but also, any possible damage these trees may cause to the built environment or health or safety risks the trees may cause to the community is identified and managed.

Likewise, any proposed plantings must be appropriately considered to ensure that a safe, healthy and attractive streetscape is maintained for the future.

Information relating to trees located on Council land can be located via Council's Management of Trees on Public Land Policy

If you wish to request for pruning, removal or transplanting of trees on Council land please fill in the Request for Pruning or Removal of Trees on Council Land form and return to Council.

To make a request to plant trees, shrubs etc on Council land, please ring the Customer Experience Team on 02 4934 9700 and they will assist you. 

Any further information relating to trees on Council owned land can be obtained by contacting Council's Coordinator Recreation & Tree Services on 02 4934 9618.

 

Preferred species list

Council manages trees across Maitland to ensure we can maintain their natural value, while also evaluating what kind of impacts they may have on the built environment or community health and safety.

Any tree or shrub that is planted on Council owned or controlled land must be approved by Council, to ensure the site is suitable for a new planting and any planting is complementary to the existing streetscape.

A species not included on the preferred species list may be planted after a thorough investigation of the species by Council staff, who will make a decision based on environmental, infrastructure, and community safety factors.

Trees under power lines

Evergreen trees

Botanical nameCommon NameHeight
(approx.)

Callistemon viminalis "Wildfire"

Weeping bottlebrush6m

Tristaniopsis laurina "Luscious"

Watergum6m

Elaeocarpus reticulatus

Blue Berry Ash7m

Photinia x fraseri

Tree photinia5m

Corymbia ficifolia

Flowering Gum8m

Cupaniopsis anacardioides

Tuckeroo8m

Melaleuca bracteata 'Revolution Gold'

Black Tea Tree5m

Deciduous trees

Botanical nameCommon NameHeight
(approx.)

Lagerstroemia indica
cvs· Natchez, Sioux, Tuscan

Crepe myrtle8m

Cercis siliquastrum

Judas tree6m

Acer buerqeranum

Chinese trident maple6m

Prunus cerasifera

Purple leaf plum,
Double flowering plum		6m

 

Open Street and Town Parks

Evergreen trees

Botanical nameCommon NameHeight
(approx.)

Acmena smithii

Lillypilly

12m

Caesaloinea ferra

Leopard tree

12m

Waterhousia florabunda

Weeping myrtle,
Weeping lillypilly		20m

Harpephyllum caffrum

Kaffir plum12m

Buckighamia celessisima

Ivory Curl Flower12m

Deciduous trees

Botanical nameCommon NameHeight
(approx.)

Koelreuteria paniculata

Golden rain tree10m

Pyrus ussurienesis

Manchurian pear12m

Pistacia chinensis

Chinese pistachio12m

Ulmus chinensis​​​​

Chinese Elm12m

Fraxinus argustifolia

Claret ash15m
Town Parks and Open Reserves
Botanical nameCommon NameHeight
(approx.)

Corymbia maculata

Spotted gum20m

Corymbia torelliana

Cadaghi20m

Eucalyptus microcorys

Tallowwood25m

Lophostemon confertus

Brushbox15m

Casuarina cunninghamnia

River oak20m

Syncarpia glomulifera

Turpentine20m