Tree Removal Blue Mountains

Tree Removal, Tree Lopping and Land Clearing

The Blue Mountains is a unique place to live, partly because of the diversity and abundance of trees that exist here. However, in a residential yard, there are many reasons why a tree may need to be removed. Often, trees that are planted outgrow the area designated to them. They may block out sunlight, send their roots into water pipes or under driveways and they may become a bushfire risk. For these and many other reasons, suburban trees may need to be managed in order to strike the balance between a leafy aesthetic and a functional, safe living environment.

Tree removal laws

In the Blue Mountains, there are two legal channels to look into when you’re thinking of removing a tree.

Before that though, ask yourself, ‘Does the tree need to go?’. Are there any branches that could be removed that would solve the problem? Is there a real risk or is it a perceived risk?

With an understanding of tree behaviour, as well as pests and diseases we can help you assess the actual risk that a tree might pose.

The 10/50 Vegetation clearing law

This piece of legislation applies across NSW to anyone deemed to be in a bush fire prone area. It allows you to remove trees within 10 metres of your house in order to mitigate against fire risk. To check if this law applies to your house, click here.

Blue Mountains City Council Tree Removal Permit

If you are not able to remove a tree under the 10/50 law, then you will need to apply to Blue Mountains City Council for the tree to be removed. This is a simple process and you can find the application form here.

The rules surrounding tree removal in the Blue Mountains are set out in the Tree Preservation Order, available on the Blue Mountains City Council website.

Removing trees safely

Removing trees or ‘tree lopping’, as it used to be called, can be a risky business. Before contracting anybody to remove a tree in your yard you should always make sure they are AQF III qualified and have public liability insurance.

Urban Forestry is fully insured and fully qualified. We have removed giant trees in confined spaces and have our systems ironed out to ensure everything is done in a controlled and safe manner.

There is a general system used to remove a tree piece by piece, but as every tree and backyard is different, there are never two jobs the same.

What happens to the tree once it’s down?

There are a number of options for getting rid of the tree once it’s safely on the ground. Some people opt to keep the trunk as fire wood for themselves, neighbours or friends, or a lot of the time we chip the lot and either give away the mulch or leave it on site to be spread by the customer.

Occasionally, if its an appropriate size and species of tree, we also offer an on site milling service in which we can mill the trunk of a tree into either timber slabs or building timbers. For more information about this aspect of the service, have a look at our milling page.