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Arborists and tree removal in Tasmania

One network for the whole island, and council-by-council codes.

Find Hobart or Launceston below, and ask your council before any tree is cut, because Tasmania's planning scheme codes decide what needs approval and councils apply them differently.

Tree job in Tasmania?

What needs doing?

If anyone is in danger, call 000. For storm damage to your home, call the SES. Then tell us the job.

Only one local arborist gets your number.

A worker in a helmet, earmuffs and a visor feeding a leafy branch into a wood chipper on a grass verge

How Tasmania's tree rules work

The Tasmanian Planning Scheme has statewide State Planning Provisions plus a Local Provisions Schedule for each council area, though not every council has moved to it: Kingborough still lists its significant trees in an interim scheme. Huon Valley Council says the Natural Assets, Historic Heritage, Bushfire-Prone Areas and Landslip codes most often affect tree clearing.

Some councils keep their own lists, like Hobart's Significant Tree Register. West Tamar Council says a single tree can need a planning permit even if it's near a house or diseased. Tree removal permits in Tasmania goes further.

Hobart and Launceston

Hobart

The city sits at the foot of kunanyi / Mt Wellington and can get flash flooding with little time to prepare. The City manages about 20 000 street and park trees, but private trees are the owner's to manage, and trees touching power lines go to TasNetworks.

Launceston

Launceston sits where the North Esk and South Esk meet, and it has had 36 significant floods since settlement, the latest in June 2016. The council points people to the TasALERT Risk Ready tool to check bushfire risk for an address.

Trees and power lines in Tasmania

TasNetworks runs the network for the whole state. Report trees touching powerlines, fallen lines or sparking to TasNetworks. TasNetworks says you, your tools and your equipment must never be within 6.4 metres of a distribution line. Once a tree is within one metre of your service line, don't work on it yourself: that's a job for a qualified arborist.

After a storm in Tasmania

For flood and storm emergencies, call the Tasmania SES, and 000 is for life-threatening emergencies. SES volunteers deal with dangerous fallen trees. For one that isn't dangerous, such as a tree down in the yard that isn't blocking the driveway, the SES says to contact a local tree service.

Stay clear of fallen trees and lines, photograph the damage as soon as you can, and talk to your insurer before work starts.

Clearing for bushfire safety usually runs through a bushfire hazard management plan or a council notice, and Kingborough may ask for a plan setting out the minimum clearing needed. Ask your council what applies to your block.

Cities in Tasmania

Tree removal and arborists in HobartHobart tree removal: significant trees, planning scheme codes, bushland fire risk and TasNetworks.Arborists and tree removal in LauncestonLaunceston tree work: planning permits, West Tamar rules, council street trees, flood country and TasNetworks.

Every suburb

Suburbs and tree services in Tasmania

Your suburb's page has its council's tree rules, the trees that grow there and who to call about power lines. Not listed? Tell us your postcode with the job, and we pass it to a local arborist near you.

Hobart1 suburb

Tree permits in Tasmania, council by council

Arborists and tree removal in Tasmania: common questions

Do I have to give my neighbour's branches back in Tasmania?

You don't have to. Tasmania's Neighbourhood Disputes About Plants Act 2017 keeps the right to cut back overhanging branches from your side, and says whoever cuts them may return them but doesn't have to. The neighbours' trees guide covers branch removal notices.

Need an arborist in Tasmania?

Pick the job and give your postcode, and a local arborist calls you.

Tree job in Tasmania?

What needs doing?

Only one local arborist gets your number.

More on Arborists and tree removal in Tasmania

Your neighbour's tree: branches, roots and disputesOverhanging branches, roots, leaves and disputes: what each state allows, and where disputes go.A tree came down in a storm000 and the SES first, then photos, your insurer, the council and the arborist, in that order.Trees near power linesStreet lines, the line to your house and private poles: who clears what, and which network to call.

Where this information comes from

Tree rules change, so check with your council before anything is cut. How we write and check these pages.