Tree pruning and lopping in Kalamunda
Every block needs an asset protection zone, a fuel-reduced area running 20 metres out from each building. Inside it, trees taller than 5 metres are under-pruned, meaning lower branches come off, up to 2 metres. Trees or shrubs within 2 metres of the house have to be no more than 2 metres high, or pruned back so they sit 2 metres away.
Gutters, roofs and walls must be clear of flammable matter. On land of 5,000 m² or more, add a firebreak 3 m wide with 4 m of clear height, continuous and passable by a 4WD.
Assessments began on Sunday 1 November 2026 across the whole City. Failing to comply is an offence carrying a penalty of up to $5000, and the City says a variation (applications closed on 1 October 2026) is not an exemption.
Tree removal in Kalamunda: what's local
High on the scarp
Kalamunda sits on the Darling Scarp at about 300 metres above sea level, at the eastern edge of the metro area. It's also the northern end of the 963-kilometre Bibbulmun Track.
Jarrah, marri and peppermint
Florabase records jarrah, marri and WA peppermint around Kalamunda. Jarrah and marri are big forest trees, both to 40 metres, which is why the under-pruning rule matters so much here. See gum trees.
Dieback in the soil
More than 40 per cent of the south-west's native plant species, banksias and eucalypts among them, are susceptible to Phytophthora dieback. It spreads in soil, so ask anyone bringing machinery onto a bush block to arrive with it clean.
A tree policy still in draft
The City revoked its old Tree Retention policy, and a draft Local Planning Policy 33, Future Forest, went out for comment in 2025. It hadn't been put to Council when we checked, and the City's urban forest target is 30% canopy by 2043, so ask the City before a big tree goes.
Bushfire clearing in Kalamunda
Kalamunda's notice itself says to check with the relevant agencies before clearing any part of a property, especially Bush Forever sites or Aboriginal heritage sites. Pruning to the notice is one thing; taking whole trees out is another, and WA's clearing rules have conditions of their own.
Our bushfire clearing guide and WA permits page set them out.
Trees and power lines in Kalamunda
If a branch is on a power line, keep 8 metres away and ring Western Power; call 000 first if anyone's in danger. The City says Western Power looks after naturally occurring verge trees under its lines, so that's their call as well. Before any digging or stump work, the City says to contact Dial Before You Dig on 1100.
Hiring an arborist in Kalamunda
Pace out 20 metres from the house and look at every tree inside that circle. Anything over 5 metres with branches below 2 metres, or anything touching the walls or roof, is this season's job. Ask an arborist to quote it as fire notice work, with clean machinery and a plan for the green waste written in.