Tree removal in Armadale: what's local
Where the brooks come down
Armadale is on the south-eastern edge of the metropolitan region, 28 km from the CBD. The first farms, in the 1840s, were in the foothills along the Canning River and the Neerigin, Wongong and Beenyup brooks.
Jarrah and marri
Florabase records both jarrah and marri in Armadale, mainly on hills and rises. Both reach 40 metres, and Armadale's Old Jarrah Tree is estimated at 400 to 800 years old. See gum trees.
Bush on the doorstep
Armadale Settlers Common has walk trails and rare flora and fauna. The City asks residents to keep established trees on their property and to give verge trees extra water in hot spells.
Tree removal in Armadale: good to know
Work out your category
The notice splits land at 5,000m². Bigger blocks need a perimeter firebreak 3 metres wide with a 4 metre high vertical axis, no more than 10 metres inside the boundary.
Clear the driveway
Every block needs a 3 m wide driveway with a 4 m vertical axis. The notice counts pruning living or dead trees that grow into that space as part of the job.
Roofs and gutters
The gutters, roofs and walls of the house have to be clear of anything that burns. Overhanging branches are what fill gutters, so this is often where an arborist comes in.
Low growth
On blocks of 5,000m² or less, flammable material comes down under five centimetres. Living trees, shrubs, plants and watered lawns are left out of that rule.
Missed the date, or new to the house?
If you become the owner or occupier after 30 November, the notice gives you fourteen days to comply. The works then have to stay in place until 31 March 2027.
Ignoring it can bring a penalty of up to $5000. The City can also do the work itself and recover the costs.
Storm damage and fallen trees in Armadale
Not without checking. We found no tree retention policy on the City of Armadale's pages, but WA makes clearing native vegetation an offence without a clearing permit or an exemption. The terms of a firebreak notice can cover some clearing, so ask the City exactly what its notice allows before a large tree goes.
Our bushfire clearing guide and WA permits page have the detail.
Trees and power lines in Armadale
Western Power says to stay at least 8 metres from a damaged powerline and always assume it's live. Report it to Western Power, and dial 000 first in a life-threatening emergency. The SES helps when a storm has badly damaged your home and you can't make it safe.
Hiring an arborist in Armadale
Find the block size on your rates notice, because the whole notice turns on 5,000m². Then stand at the end of the driveway and look up: anything lower than 4 metres over the drive, or hanging over the roof, is the first thing to sort. Book it soon, since the date is fixed, and ask the City before any tree is taken out completely.