Just Bought a House With Lots of Trees? Here’s What to Do First
Just Bought a House With Lots of Trees? Here’s What to Do First
Moving into a new property is exciting — and if it comes with established trees, that’s genuinely something to value. Mature trees add character, shade, privacy, and real estate value. But they also come with responsibilities, questions, and occasionally, surprises. If you’ve just bought a house with trees and you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, this guide is for you.
Moving into a new property is exciting — and if it comes with established trees, that’s genuinely something to value. Mature trees add character, shade, privacy, and real estate value. But they also come with responsibilities, questions, and occasionally, surprises. If you’ve just bought a house with trees and you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, this guide is for you.
Why Trees on a New Property Deserve Immediate Attention
Why Trees on a New Property Deserve Immediate Attention
Why Trees on a New Property Deserve Immediate Attention
Most buyers focus heavily on the building — the roof, the plumbing, the electrical. The trees tend to get a glance and a “we’ll deal with that later.” The problem is that trees can present risks and restrictions that significantly affect what you can do with your property. A tree that looks healthy on the surface may have advanced internal decay. Council tree protections you weren’t aware of may mean you legally can’t remove certain trees. Root systems may be affecting drainage or foundations. Previous owners may not have pruned trees in years, leaving them overgrown with significant deadwood.
Most buyers focus heavily on the building — the roof, the plumbing, the electrical. The trees tend to get a glance and a “we’ll deal with that later.” The problem is that trees can present risks and restrictions that significantly affect what you can do with your property. A tree that looks healthy on the surface may have advanced internal decay. Council tree protections you weren’t aware of may mean you legally can’t remove certain trees. Root systems may be affecting drainage or foundations. Previous owners may not have pruned trees in years, leaving them overgrown with significant deadwood.
Get a Pre-Purchase or Post-Settlement Tree Inspection
Get a Pre-Purchase or Post-Settlement Tree Inspection
Get a Pre-Purchase or Post-Settlement Tree Inspection
A pre-purchase arborist inspection gives you an independent professional assessment of the trees on the property before you’re committed — just like a building and pest inspection. If you’ve already settled, a post-settlement inspection achieves the same thing. An independent consulting arborist will assess the species, health, and structural condition of each significant tree, identify any trees that pose an immediate safety risk, identify which trees are likely protected under council controls, estimate maintenance requirements and costs, and advise on trees that may need to be removed and what approval that would require.
A pre-purchase arborist inspection gives you an independent professional assessment of the trees on the property before you’re committed — just like a building and pest inspection. If you’ve already settled, a post-settlement inspection achieves the same thing. An independent consulting arborist will assess the species, health, and structural condition of each significant tree, identify any trees that pose an immediate safety risk, identify which trees are likely protected under council controls, estimate maintenance requirements and costs, and advise on trees that may need to be removed and what approval that would require.
Check What’s Protected Before You Cut Anything
Check What’s Protected Before You Cut Anything
Check What’s Protected Before You Cut Anything
Before you cut anything down or do significant pruning, find out which trees on your property are protected under your local council’s tree management controls. In NSW most councils have a Tree Preservation Order or equivalent Development Control Plan provisions that protect trees above a certain size. The threshold varies by council — some protect trees above 3 metres, others above 5 metres or a specified trunk circumference. Removing a protected tree without approval can result in fines of up to $1.1 million for corporations or $110,000 for individuals under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act — and the fines are applied per tree.
Before you cut anything down or do significant pruning, find out which trees on your property are protected under your local council’s tree management controls. In NSW most councils have a Tree Preservation Order or equivalent Development Control Plan provisions that protect trees above a certain size. The threshold varies by council — some protect trees above 3 metres, others above 5 metres or a specified trunk circumference. Removing a protected tree without approval can result in fines of up to $1.1 million for corporations or $110,000 for individuals under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act — and the fines are applied per tree.
Identify Any Immediate Safety Risks
Identify Any Immediate Safety Risks
Identify Any Immediate Safety Risks
Not all tree problems are urgent — but some are. Prioritise getting eyes on trees that are leaning particularly toward the house or a neighbouring structure, have large dead branches visible in the canopy, have visible cracks, cavities, or fungal growth at the base or on the trunk, are in contact with the roof, gutters, or powerlines, or have been previously damaged in storms and not properly assessed since. These warrant prompt attention. A tree risk assessment will give you a clear picture of which trees need action now versus which can wait.
Not all tree problems are urgent — but some are. Prioritise getting eyes on trees that are leaning particularly toward the house or a neighbouring structure, have large dead branches visible in the canopy, have visible cracks, cavities, or fungal growth at the base or on the trunk, are in contact with the roof, gutters, or powerlines, or have been previously damaged in storms and not properly assessed since. These warrant prompt attention. A tree risk assessment will give you a clear picture of which trees need action now versus which can wait.
Plan for the Trees You Want to Keep
Plan for the Trees You Want to Keep
Plan for the Trees You Want to Keep
If you have mature trees you want to retain, plan your property works around them from the start. Construction near trees is one of the most common causes of serious tree decline. Soil compaction from machinery, trenching through root zones, changes to drainage, and stockpiling of materials near trees all cause damage that may not show up for two to five years. If you’re planning renovations, extensions, or landscaping, get an arborist involved early. A tree protection plan established before works begin costs a fraction of what it costs to lose a mature tree.
If you have mature trees you want to retain, plan your property works around them from the start. Construction near trees is one of the most common causes of serious tree decline. Soil compaction from machinery, trenching through root zones, changes to drainage, and stockpiling of materials near trees all cause damage that may not show up for two to five years. If you’re planning renovations, extensions, or landscaping, get an arborist involved early. A tree protection plan established before works begin costs a fraction of what it costs to lose a mature tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
I just bought a house with lots of trees — where do I even start? Start with a professional tree inspection. An independent consulting arborist will assess all significant trees, identify any immediate safety concerns, tell you what’s protected, and give you a clear priority list. Can I remove a tree on my property without telling council? Only if the tree is exempt under your council’s controls — typically dead trees or trees below the protected size threshold. For any protected tree you need council approval. Who is responsible for a tree on the boundary between my property and my neighbour’s? Generally both property owners share responsibility for a tree that straddles the boundary. How do I know if a tree is dangerous? Some signs are visible — dead branches, cracks in the trunk, fungal growth at the base, significant lean. Others are not visible without assessment. If you have any concern about a tree a tree risk assessment by a qualified arborist is the appropriate response.
I just bought a house with lots of trees — where do I even start? Start with a professional tree inspection. An independent consulting arborist will assess all significant trees, identify any immediate safety concerns, tell you what’s protected, and give you a clear priority list. Can I remove a tree on my property without telling council? Only if the tree is exempt under your council’s controls — typically dead trees or trees below the protected size threshold. For any protected tree you need council approval. Who is responsible for a tree on the boundary between my property and my neighbour’s? Generally both property owners share responsibility for a tree that straddles the boundary. How do I know if a tree is dangerous? Some signs are visible — dead branches, cracks in the trunk, fungal growth at the base, significant lean. Others are not visible without assessment. If you have any concern about a tree a tree risk assessment by a qualified arborist is the appropriate response.
Whether you’re pre-purchase and want to know what you’re getting into, or you’ve just settled and want to understand your trees properly, Arbor Metro provides independent expert tree assessments with no agenda other than giving you the right information. Contact us today to arrange an inspection.
Whether you’re pre-purchase and want to know what you’re getting into, or you’ve just settled and want to understand your trees properly, Arbor Metro provides independent expert tree assessments with no agenda other than giving you the right information. Contact us today to arrange an inspection.
SETTING INDUSTRY STANDARDS
Excellence in Australian
Arboriculture
SETTING INDUSTRY STANDARDS
Excellence in Australian
Arboriculture
SETTING INDUSTRY STANDARDS