Tree removal in Somerville: what's local
Orchard roots
Somerville began as an orchard town, known for its fruit from the early 1900s until World War II. If you've inherited an old fruit tree, a proper prune can often bring it back into shape instead of losing it.
Avenue trees
Plane trees line the old avenue of honour on Eramosa Road East, and ornamental pears were planted along Station Street. These are public trees, so take any problem with one to the Shire.
Green wedge all around
About 70 per cent of the Shire, nearly 50,000 hectares, is green wedge outside the Urban Growth Boundary, much of it farmland. Bigger rural lots bring native vegetation questions that suburban blocks rarely do.
A growing township
Somerville keeps expanding, so new residential streets now sit beside older orchard-era land with mature trees.
Bushfire clearing in Somerville
The Shire says that since 5 August 2020, Victoria's bushfire protection exemptions only apply to land inside a designated bushfire prone area. Check the map for your exact block before relying on them.
Even inside a mapped area, the rules only cover existing homes and fences, and they don't override covenants or legal agreements. Our bushfire clearing guide sets out the 10 and 30 metre rules.
Tree jobs you can do yourself in Somerville
You can
- Prune fruit trees you can reach from the ground with secateurs, loppers or a pruning saw.
- Rub off suckers and water shoots at the base of the trunk.
- Pick up fallen fruit and dead branches so they don't build up under the tree.
Leave to an arborist
- Tall old fruit trees whose top can't be reached with both feet on the ground.
- Removing large trees once the Shire has confirmed what approval is needed.
- Clearing on rural lots, where the native vegetation rule (clause 52.17) applies on land of 0.4 hectares or more.
Hiring an arborist in Somerville
Try the Shire's myLot tool first, then ring Planning Services to confirm. For an old fruit tree, a careful prune by someone who knows fruit trees will usually do more good than a removal.