Tree removal in Stafford: what's local
On Kedron Brook
Council's Kedron Brook master plan puts Stafford in the brook's middle catchment with Alderley and Grange, where the waterway runs in modified channels and embankments. Council says the brook now faces heavier rainfall, urban growth and erosion.
The February 2022 deluge
The Bureau says flash flooding devastated Brisbane's northern suburbs in February 2022. Neighbouring Alderley set a record daily total of 344.8 mm on 28 February, and some northern suburbs had 1000 to 1100 mm in a week.
Waterway trees are protected
Brisbane's Natural Assets Local Law protects waterway and wetland vegetation, along corridors that line up with City Plan 2014's overlay maps. Trees near the brook are the first ones to check.
Street trees under wires
Council looks after Stafford's street trees. For one growing through or within one metre of overhead lines, council says to contact Energex.
Signs a tree needs an arborist in Stafford
- A lean that wasn't there before the rain
- Soil cracked, heaved or lifted on one side of the trunk
- Roots exposed where water ran across the yard
- Fungus or soft, crumbly wood at the base
- A split in a main fork, or a branch hanging in the canopy
- Leaves wilting or falling out of season weeks after the water went
Tree removal in Stafford: good to know
Keep people and cars out from under the tree and call an arborist. If removal looks likely, pull up the protected vegetation report first.
Council's fact sheet says a tree removed for an obvious immediate hazard needs photo evidence sent to council within 10 business days, plus an arborist report if requested. Photograph the lean, the soil and any split before anything moves. Permit applications have no fee, and council says it will be in touch within 20 business days.
Hiring an arborist in Stafford
After a big wet, we'd walk the yard with that list and photograph anything odd. Then we'd get the protected vegetation report and an arborist out to the worst tree first. Close to the brook, we'd assume a tree is protected until the report says otherwise.