Tree removal in Knox: what's local
Where Knox sits
Knox is 25 kilometres east of Melbourne and covers 114 square kilometres between the Dandenong Creek Valley, the Lysterfield Hills and the Dandenong Foothills. Its localities run from Bayswater, Wantirna and Wantirna South through Knoxfield, Scoresby and Rowville to Boronia, The Basin, Ferntree Gully, Upper Ferntree Gully, Lysterfield, Sassafras and Studfield.
Native bush is scarce
Less than 5 per cent of Knox still has native vegetation, and nearly 90 per cent of what's left is listed as endangered or vulnerable. That makes every patch that's left matter.
Backyard canopy counts
Knox's planning scheme calls canopy trees, including trees in suburban backyards, integral to its leafy character. Its 'Bush Boulevards' are arterial roads with wide verges planted with informal avenues of native trees.
The foothills are different
In the Dandenong Foothills overlays (SLO2 and SLO3), a tree 5 metres or taller, or with a trunk girth over 0.5 metre measured 0.5 metres up, needs a permit to remove or lop. Our Boronia and Ferntree Gully pages go into the detail.
Tree removal in Knox: good to know
Knox's line clearance plan counts about 76,000 street trees across 2500 streets and 770 kilometres. Those are council's to inspect and prune, so a problem with one is a call to Knox, not a job for a private arborist.
The same plan says it doesn't cover trees on private property. If a tree in your yard is growing towards the service line to your house, Energy Safe Victoria says keeping it clear is your responsibility. Knox's plan lists both AusNet and United Energy as the networks running lines in Knox.
Tree removal permits in Knox
Ask first
Knox suggests talking to council before any construction or vegetation removal, and confirming whether a permit is needed. Ask Planning Services.
Gather the papers
Knox asks for a covering letter explaining the removal, photos, a copy of title searched within 3 months, and a site plan showing the canopy trees, the ones to go and any replacements.
Add the arborist's statement if needed
Where a tree is going because of its health or stability, Knox wants a written statement from a suitably qualified person, such as an arborist, covering species, height and health.
Expect conditions
If Knox issues a permit for removal, it will require replacement planting. It may also advertise the application if it's likely to affect a neighbour or the character of the street.
Hiring an arborist in Knox
Find your overlay before you find your arborist. The same tree can face different tests in Wantirna South and The Basin, and Knox says you can be fined for breaching its tree controls. Once you know which rules apply, a local arborist can quote the work and, where it's needed, the statement council asks for.