Tree removal in Ringwood: what's local
Old core, new townhouses
Maroondah's planning scheme describes the older core near the railway and Maroondah Highway as post-war brick and weatherboard houses on straight, grid-like streets. There's no greenfield land left, so new homes come from consolidating those blocks, and the Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre is the focus for it. An established tree can easily sit right where a second dwelling would go.
A two-part tree test
In Maroondah's Significant Landscape Overlay areas, a permit is needed to remove a tree with a single trunk more than 0.5 metre around (measured 1 metre up) or a tree taller than 5 metres. Either one is enough. The canopy tree rule (clause 52.37) also applies across the whole municipality.
Street trees under the wires
Maroondah's line clearance plan counts about 73,000 street trees, and 32,120 of them (44%) are affected or potentially affected by powerlines. Council inspects and prunes those on a 2-yearly cycle. AusNet Services is the distribution business for Maroondah.
Trees and power lines in Ringwood
Keep away and don't trim anything near it. Energy Safe Victoria says the service line from the pole to your house is yours to keep clear, and recommends clearing trees before they grow within one metre of it, using a qualified professional. Lines beyond your boundary are AusNet's to clear: call AusNet about a tree on them. If a line is down, stay at least 8 to 10 metres back, and if anyone is in danger call 000.
Tree removal permits in Ringwood
Check what applies
Look up your address on VicPlan, or call Maroondah's Statutory Planning team and ask which overlay or rule covers the tree.
Get it in writing if the tree is failing
If you're arguing the tree is dead, dying or dangerous, Maroondah wants that in writing from a suitably qualified person, and expects a Certificate 5 in Arboriculture or a horticulture diploma or degree.
Put the application together
Maroondah's 2026 to 2027 form needs a copy of title from the last 3 months, a site plan showing the trees and your reasons. Photos and a replanting plan are recommended. Council's planners will also want to get in to see the tree.
Plan the replacement
A common permit condition in Maroondah is one or more replacement trees. Factor where they'll go, especially if you're also building.
Hiring an arborist in Ringwood
If you're thinking about a second dwelling, talk to Maroondah about the trees before you buy plans. Council recommends lodging tree removal together with a development application for two or more dwellings, and it's far easier to design around a good tree than to argue it out later. For a tree that's simply worrying you, get an arborist's written opinion first. It's what council will ask for.