Tree removal in Indooroopilly: what's local
Green and leafy is the aim
The Toowong-Indooroopilly district neighbourhood plan code sets out to keep the district green and leafy by retaining mature vegetation and planting with new development.
Corridors to the river
The code protects ecological corridors linking Mt Coot-tha and the Brisbane River. Brisbane's local law also protects waterway and wetland vegetation, so trees along gullies and creeks are the first to check.
Flying foxes on the island
The code keeps low-impact buffers, such as the golf course, beside Indooroopilly Island so its permanent flying fox roosts aren't disturbed. If animals are roosting in your tree, tell the arborist before work is booked.
Ridgelines
The code maps ridgelines across the district. On a ridge or slope, access often decides how a tree can come down.
The river floods
The Bureau says the January 1974 Brisbane River flood reached 5.45 metres on the Brisbane City gauge and affected at least 8,000 properties, and the river peaked at 4.46 metres in January 2011. Council's Flood Awareness Map shows the risk for an address.
Tree pruning and lopping in Indooroopilly
A big tree that's grown too wide over a roof, pool or driveway can often be fixed with crown thinning (taking out selected branches) or a reduction cut to AS 4373-2007. See crown thinning and lifting for what that looks like.
Pruning a protected tree can need a permit as well, so read council's report before booking either job.
Questions to ask an arborist in Indooroopilly
- Does the protected vegetation report show this tree, and in which category?
- Could pruning to AS 4373-2007 fix the problem instead of removal?
- Is there wildlife roosting or nesting to plan around?
- How will you reach the tree on a slope or a narrow side path?
- What's included: the stump, the chip, the wood?
Hiring an arborist in Indooroopilly
We'd look at pruning before removal, because the area's planning leans firmly towards keeping mature trees. We'd order the protected vegetation report, then have one arborist assess the tree and put the options in writing, pruning first and removal second.