Trees on Council land

Street trees are valuable Council and community assets. We encourage residents to treasure and nurture local trees. 

Types of street trees

When planting street trees, Council selects the best long term suited trees for the location. We have a preferred list of trees that grow well here on Redlands Coast and are suitable for the surrounding environment such as under powerlines, near footpaths, driveways and other public and private infrastructure. 

Maintenance 

Council has a specialist and responsive team to manage trees on Council-owned or controlled land, including street trees. Street trees need to be maintained to ensure safety, clearances for pedestrians and vehicles, line of sight and for the health of the tree itself. Sometimes Council officers will take appropriate measures to prevent tree roots from damaging footpaths, driveways or other nearby public and private infrastructure. 

Council undertakes annual pruning between March and April on main avenues of Delonix Regia (Poinciana trees) across the following city locations;

Birkdale Road, Birkdale and Wellington Point 

Bloomfield Street and Cleveland Town Centre, Cleveland

Colburn Avenue, Victoria Point 

Main Road, Wellington Point  

Redland Bay Business Centre, Redland Bay 

Wellington Street, Ormiston 

Read about the management of street trees on Council-owned and controlled land, including answers to frequently asked questions, download the tree management fact sheet. 

Also, see information on maintaining trees on private property. 

Street tree planting 

You can ask Council to plant a tree on the footpath in front of your property. Our helpful and expert team will assess the site for suitability and let you know the outcome. Make a request for a street tree planting by contacting Council.

Council encourages residents to help look after street trees, particularly when newly planted.

You should not plant trees on road verges or other Council land without an approved landscape permit. Complete the landscape on footpath standards form or contact us if you wish to apply for a permit. 

Concerns about street trees 

Naturally, trees will drop leaves, twigs and flowers seasonally, attract birds and may even drop branches during severe weather events.

If you are concerned about the health of a tree, damage to a tree or have a safety concern contact us. 

Frequently asked questions about street trees

A tree on the footpath (or foreshore) in front of my property is blocking my view. Can I remove it? 

No, residents are not allowed to remove, prune or top a Council-owned tree. You may be subject to prosecution under Council Local Laws and State Laws regarding tree protection if you interfere with a Council-owned tree. It is important to protect trees as they may be an important host tree for rare and threatened species of fauna and flora. Its removal may also negatively affect the aesthetic character of the area. 

I am concerned about the height or branches of a tree. Can I prune, lop or top a tree on Council-owned land? 

No, residents are not allowed to prune, lop or top a Council-owned tree. You may be subject to prosecution under Council Local Laws and State Laws regarding tree protection if you interfere with a Council-owned tree. Lopping or topping a tree may make it dangerous due to the regrowth of epicormic branches or it may worsen tree structure. It can also lead to fungal infection or weaken the tree, making it unstable or susceptible to failure. If you have a concern about the safety of a tree submit a request to Council for assessment.   

There is a termite nest in a tree on Council land and I am worried it may harm my property. What can I do? 

Termite infestations in trees or land under ownership or control of Council will not normally be treated. Council has no legal responsibility to treat any termite infestations found in trees on land under its control. Council is not responsible for any damage to private property attributed to termites detected on land under its control. When dealing with termites, prevention is key and the following actions are recommended; 

• Undertake regular routine inspections to find termites and termite damage through a licensed pest controller.   
• When installing new fences, use termite-resistant and preservative-treated timber. 
• Minimise cracks in concrete slabs by consolidating the soil before laying the slab.
• Fix leaking pipes and poor ventilation in sub-floors, which create ideal conditions for termites. 
• Always inspect second-hand timber and furniture before bringing it into your property. 
• Avoid placing gardens against walls. 
• Avoid stacking firewood against your property including homes, garages and sheds. 

In Queensland, there is no law governing the control of termites. Should you encounter termites on private property, the responsibility for control rests with the property owner. For termite control on public property, such as parks and reserves, please contact Council. 

The tree near my property is too tall and I am concerned about danger to my property during storms and bad weather. Can I remove it? 

There is always a possibility that a tree may fall in severe weather events. Healthy, well-maintained trees around a building can help dissipate wind force thereby protecting the house from wind. Once removed there is no protection from wind force and the building is fully exposed. Council conducts regular tree condition assessments by a qualified arborist (AQF Level 5 or higher) to identify when tree maintenance work should occur and to ensure trees are kept in good condition.  

The tree on Council land near my property continually drops leaves and fruit into my pool, yard or gutters. What can I do? Can I have the tree removed? 

Living with trees provides many benefits however it also involves managing leaf drop, whether it's from a Council or residential tree. Council does not prune, top or remove trees due to natural leaf/fruit drop nuisance issues as it can worsen the situation as well as reduce the amenity and benefits of our local urban forest. Council encourages residents to regularly clean gutters on private properties. Residents are also encouraged to consider the correct installation of gutter guards to assist with the management of leaf drop.  If the leaf drop is excessive Council may consider a condition assessment of the tree by a qualified arborist as there may be a reason that the tree is dropping more leaves than normal and this could be remedied. 

There are tree roots in my stormwater pipes from a tree on Council land. Can I cut the tree roots to repair the pipe? Will Council pay for the repair or remove the tree?

Permission is required by Council to cut the tree roots from a Council-controlled tree in stormwater pipes on your property. Advice from Council's qualified arborist is recommended once permission is provided to ensure the work is conducted correctly. Cutting the roots too close to the tree trunk may affect the stability of the tree and could result in whole tree failure.  The maintenance and repair of all residential stormwater infrastructure, from the property line across the road reserve to public infrastructure (spoon drain, kerb and channel, catchpit etc) is the property owners' responsibility. Tree roots may damage stormwater pipes and this can occur when pipes are incorrectly installed or have been damaged, allowing water and nutrients to be absorbed by the surrounding soil. Trees will then focus root growth in the surrounding soil and eventually into the pipe.  

A tree on Council land near my property is providing a way for children to climb into my yard or pool. What can I do? 

Illegal entry to your property is a police matter and it should be reported to the police. You can also contact Council for advice on whether anything can be done to prevent access via the tree. 

I want to install a new or second driveway to a property but a street tree is in the way. What can I do? 

Contact Council's Roads, Drainage and Marine Maintenance team to request a driveway crossover application. During the application process, you should highlight the tree position issue. A Council officer will carry out an inspection of the tree in relation to the proximity of the driveway for safety and stability, as well as the protection status of the tree. If the driveway crossover is approved and the tree needs to be removed, you may be liable for the cost of the removal.  

Can I plant street trees myself on road verges or footpaths?

A resident can only conduct planting of trees on road verges or footpaths on Council-controlled land in accordance with an approved landscape permit. Please contact Council for advice if you wish to apply for a landscape permit. Unapproved trees may lead to safety concerns and ultimately require removal at Council's expense. 

How can I request a street tree on a footpath?

Residents may request a tree planting on the footpath in front of their property. Our expert team will assess the site for suitability.  If a tree cannot be planted the resident will be informed of the reason. While Council supports the planting of suitable trees in suitable locations, restrictions such as safety, private and public infrastructure need to be taken into account when planting a tree. 

What types of trees are selected for planting?  

Council carefully considers tree species selection when planting around the city. A tree will be selected based on the location and suitability of the amenity due to plantings already in the area. Trees are selected from a preferred species list to beautify the local area as well as minimise the risk of future impact on both private and public infrastructure. If a resident has a preferred species, Council will accommodate this if it is a suitable long term option.    

What happens if a new tree is planted in front of my property?

Once Council has planted a new tree is requires regular maintenance, including watering until the tree has established roots capable of absorbing water from the surrounding soil.  Council encourages residents, where possible, to assist with this maintenance to increase the health and longevity of the community tree as an asset. The tree requires a couple of buckets of water a week to help contribute to a healthier outcome for the tree as well as the enhancement of the aesthetic of the street.

Should I put grass clippings around street trees?

Mulching is beneficial to trees for nutrients and moisture retention in the soil, however mulching around the base of a tree with fresh material like grass clippings, fresh woodchips or other fresh mulch is not recommended. Instead, you can mulch around the tree with well-composted mulch and spread it as wide as possible. Well-composted mulch should be no deeper than 75mm to 100mm and should not be flush against the tree trunk. Mulch flush with tree trunks may affect the bark of the tree, resulting in damage to the root collar. 

Report a problem

If you are concerned about street trees on Council-owned or controlled land contact us.

You can also find out about maintaining trees on private property