Street and park trees

Street trees are those trees growing in the road verge. Property owners need a permit to undertake minor pruning on any street tree directly outside their property. Minor street tree pruning includes removing small branches overhanging the front fence, driveway, or footpath. Council prunes all other street trees, including park trees.

Council provides guidelines to permit holders to ensure trees are pruned correctly and safely.

To apply for a permit, submit an Application to carry out works on protected vegetation by:

• completing the online form; or
• completing the hard copy form and emailing it to the Environmental Management Team or mailing it to:
  
  Brisbane City Council
  Compliance and Regulatory Services
  Environmental Management Team
  GPO Box 1434
  Brisbane Qld 4001.

Permit holders should keep a copy of the permit which is to be made available upon request by an authorised Council officer.

If more significant works are required that are beyond what is permitted through the minor street tree pruning permit, contact Council to request an inspection.

Residents undertaking work on private property that will affect street or park trees must obtain Council approval. 

1. Driveway crossover - Where there is an existing street tree, you must provide a minimum two metre clearance to your new driveway or more where the tree has buttresses. See our driveway technical standards, specifically BSD-2022.
2. New Power Connection – Where interference with a Council tree or its root system is required to access a property to connect power for a new house, a NALL permit is required. Please call Council’s Contact Centre on 07 3403 8888.
3. Relocating houses - When you are relocating a house, you will need to check and obtain planning approval (if required), building approval and a footpath permit. See our Demolishing, removal and relocating page.
4. Undertaking excavation works within a tree's critical root zone - Any excavation works within a Council tree's critical root zone requires Council approval under the Natural Assets Local Law. See our Brisbane Standard Drawings, specifically BSD-9081.

Council prides itself on planting over 13,500 street and park trees each year. Council's proactive approach towards tree planting targets those suburbs that need shade trees to provide shade to our streets and parks, as well as supporting the reduction of heat where needed in those hotter areas of the city.

Council's community street tree planting program invites the community to plant street and park trees at fun and informative local events. Help contribute to a cleaner, green Brisbane by planting new trees with your neighbours and enjoy a barbecue and cold drink afterward. These plantings target sunny and open footpaths in residential suburbs to increase shade in local neighbourhoods.

Suburbs selected for community tree planting events in 2024-25 include Aspley, Coorparoo, Keperra, Mount Gravatt East and Norman Park.

Community tree planting events will be publicised once they have been planned. 

If you would like a tree planted on the Council verge outside of your house, phone Council on 07 3403 8888.

Council does not permit residents to plant trees on Council land. Any planting of this kind will be considered unlawful street tree plantings and trees will be removed.

Council does support the planting of verge gardens.

Council delivers street and park tree maintenance programs in Brisbane suburbs throughout the year. All pruning works are in accordance with best arboricultural practice and Australian Standards. 

Council's maintenance program also manages tree health against fungal diseases and parasites and clears up damage from severe weather events.

Trees near powerlines

Energex is responsible for pruning branches of street trees that are within one metre of, or making hard contact with, overhead powerlines.

Maintenance inspection requests

Residents with concerns about a Council tree, can request a tree maintenance inspection. Tree inspections are conducted by a qualified arborist, who will assess the tree and determine the best course of action (if any), based on Council’s guidelines. A tree inspection will be completed within 30 days. Where the works are urgent, Council will attend within five hours.

Requests can be submitted for concerns about:

• accidental damage (e.g. by a passing vehicle, rubbish collection truck)
• a tree posing an imminent risk to public or property.
• blocking a footpath, road, sight lines to traffic signals or signs. 
• diseased, dead or unhealthy trees.
• allergies associated with a tree – must have supporting declaration from allergy specialist only.

Council does not undertake works for the following concerns: 

• leaf, fruit, seed or flower drop - this is a natural process of the tree. Certain species of tree will shed all their leaves at the same time and others will shed their leaves throughout the year. This includes Leopard trees. 
• shading of private swimming pools or solar panels – when trees were planted prior to the installation of the pool or solar panels.
• improvement of views from private property

Maintenance inspection outcomes

A qualified arborist will decide the outcome following the inspection resulting in: 

• no action
• pruning works
• health management (tree rehabilitation)
• replacement – this is the last resort and only if the other options have been exhausted. The tree will be removed, the stump ground and the hole filled with soil to prepare the area for the new tree to be planted. if the location is suitable, a new suitable tree (not always the same species) will be planted in its place. If the original location is not suitable, a tree will be planted within the local area. Council does not turf areas following a tree replacement.

Under Council guidelines low hanging branches may be pruned to achieve the following:

• 2.4 metre clearance for pedestrian access on verges and footpaths
• 4.5 metre clearance on residential and industrial roads, and bikeways
• 5 metre clearance on arterial roads.

Works timeframes

If works are required, Council will prioritise the scheduling of works as follows:

• low-risk works – Council will deliver these works within 90 days from the date of your request.
• high risk works – Council will prioritise these works to be delivered within an appropriate timeframe, including undertaking works within 24-hours for urgent work.

Report it: tree trimming/maintenance

Residents can request street or park trees requiring maintenance works by completing a Report it: Tree maintenance form.