Councils maintain tree health to ensure public safety, environmental sustainability, and urban aesthetics. Healthy trees reduce the risk of branches or entire trees falling, which can cause property damage or injuries. Trees also improve air quality, mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, and provide habitats for wildlife.
- Tree root management
Tree growth is strongly influenced by below-ground conditions. Tree roots will flourish wherever moisture, oxygen, nutrients, and soil structure are favourable.
Tree root growth in the urban environment is highly modified and is not governed by property boundaries. Root pathways cannot be predicted.
Tree root damage to footpaths, roads and roadside kerbs may happen when space for root growth is limited. Tree root damage to pipes can occur when the pipes are damaged, broken or cracked, allowing roots to invade the pipe.
Some of the ways tree root damage can be avoided are by:- constructing root-resistant footpaths and foundations where possible, and
- containing tree roots within a defined area, while still providing for a tree’s growth requirements.
You can ask Council to investigate tree root damage from trees on public land if you feel they are causing damage to your property by making an online request.
Trees will not be removed for unsubstantiated claims of damage from tree root activity.
- Tree insect infestation
Seasonal insect infestations pose a risk to every Council tree each year. In most cases, infestations are harmless to people and pets and cause little harm to the tree.
Late summer is notorious for early signs of disease and pest infestations, and Council will address seasonal infestations only in the most extreme cases. Tree health is usually unaffected, and the insect population will disappear in the cooler months.