In Boroondara you need a council permit to remove any private tree with a trunk circumference of 110 cm or more at 1.4 m high (or 150 cm at ground level), even if it's dead or a weed. That's stricter than most Melbourne councils. Smaller trees can still need a planning permit if they're over 5 m tall with a canopy at least 4 m wide and sit near the front or rear boundary. Removal permits cost $226.90 per tree and council aims to decide within 10 business days.
The three kinds of protected tree in Boroondara
| Type | How you know | Permit needed to | Which permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canopy tree | Trunk 110 cm+ around at 1.4 m high, or 150 cm+ at ground level (multiple stems added together) | Remove it, or do works within 2 m of the trunk | Tree Removal/Works Permit (local law) |
| Significant tree | Listed on council's significant tree register (check the map) | Prune it, remove it, or work in its Tree Protection Zone | Tree Removal/Works Permit (local law) |
| Boundary canopy tree | Over 5 m tall, trunk over 0.5 m around at 1.4 m, canopy 4 m+ wide, trunk within 6 m of the front or 4.5 m of the rear boundary | Remove, destroy or lop it | VicSmart planning permit (Clause 52.37) |
A tree can be more than one of these. A big gum near the back fence, for example, can be both a canopy tree under the local law and a boundary canopy tree under the planning scheme. Some properties also have overlays (Significant Landscape, Vegetation Protection or Heritage) with their own rules. Check yours on VicPlan.
How to measure your tree
- Wrap a tape measure around the trunk 1.4 m above the ground (roughly chest height).
- If it's 110 cm or more, it's a canopy tree. That's a trunk about 35 cm across.
- If the tree splits into several stems below 1.4 m, measure each stem at 1.4 m and add them together.
- Can't measure at 1.4 m? Measure at ground level: 150 cm or more also makes it a canopy tree.
Most pencil pines, fruit trees and young ornamentals are well under 110 cm. Most mature gums, oaks, elms and liquidambars in Kew, Balwyn and Camberwell are over it.
Dead trees and weeds are not exempt
This catches a lot of people. Boroondara says you must get a permit to remove canopy trees "even when they are dead or are recognised weed species", and significant trees need a permit even when dead. The statewide exemption for dead trees under Clause 52.37 doesn't help here, because the local law applies separately. More in our dead tree guide.
Pruning in Boroondara
Canopy trees can be pruned without a permit, as long as the work meets Australian Standard AS 4373-2007 (Pruning of Amenity Trees). Council recommends using a qualified arborist. Significant trees need a permit even to prune.
So if your problem is branches over the roof, a crown that's too heavy, or deadwood, pruning to the standard is often the quickest fix with no permit at all. See tree pruning and trimming.
Applying: documents, fees and timeframes
Local law permits are applied for online through council's Tree Removal or Works Permit form. Include:
- a site plan or aerial image showing where the tree is
- photos of the tree and any problem it's causing, like damage to a building
- reports from experts who've assessed the problem, for example a structural engineer's report on foundation damage.
| Work | Council fee per tree |
|---|---|
| Prune a significant tree | $74 |
| Remove a canopy or significant tree | $226.90 |
| Works within 2 m of a canopy tree | $144 |
| Works within the TPZ of a significant tree | $144 |
- A council arborist inspects the tree.
- Council aims to decide within 10 business days, unless it needs more information.
- Permits are valid for 12 months. Extensions are free.
- If you're refused, you can appeal within 60 days. Appeals take 2–3 months.
- A permit often comes with a condition to plant a replacement tree.
Boundary canopy trees go through a separate VicSmart planning permit. If you're not sure which you need, Boroondara's free myLot tool gives a guide to the permits for your property.
Urgent and dangerous trees
If an arborist recommends urgent pruning or removal, call council on (03) 9278 4888 and say it's urgent or dangerous. If council agrees, it can approve the work within 24 hours. If a tree has come down in a storm, call the SES on 132 500. Our emergency service answers 24/7.
Penalties
Removing or damaging a protected tree without a permit can bring a formal warning, a fine of $4,070.20 per offence under the Tree Protection Local Law 2024 (or up to $2,035 per offence under the planning scheme), an order to plant replacement trees, or prosecution in the Magistrates' Court.
How we handle Boroondara jobs
We're based in Kew East, so Boroondara is home turf. At the quote we measure the trunk with you, check the boundary distances and overlays, and tell you on the spot whether you need a permit and which one. If you do, we'll explain what council is likely to ask for and book the work once it's approved. If pruning to AS 4373 solves the problem without a permit, we'll recommend that instead.
Suburbs we cover in this council
Sources
Rules change. Always confirm with your council before work starts. We checked these sources on 6 November 2026: