Tree removal permits in Castle Hill
Castle Hill is split between two councils. Most of the suburb is The Hills Shire, but the north-east portion is in Hornsby Shire, and the two run different tree rules. Your rates notice names your council.
On the Hills side, council says you need consent to prune more than 10% of a tree, to remove a tree that isn't exempted under its Tree Preservation Order, or to substantially change the soil level within 3 metres of the trunk.
In the Hornsby corner, almost every tree is protected; the detail is on our Hornsby permit page. For the state framework that sits over both councils, see our NSW permit page.
Tree removal in Castle Hill: what's local
A tree is bigger than you'd think
The Hills counts a woody plant as a tree once its spread passes 3 metres, its height passes 6 metres, or its trunk is over 300mm across at the base. Mature gardens, like those around East Excelsior, can hold hedges and screening plants that are well past that mark.
Farm country first
Governor King started a government farm here in 1801, and Castle Hill later grew orchards and market gardens for Sydney. Housing came later, and an old tree on the block can be older than the house beside it.
Backing onto Bidjigal Reserve
About 186 hectares of bushland follow Darling Mills Creek through Castle Hill and its neighbours. If your fence meets the reserve, trees on the other side aren't yours to prune or remove, even when they drop limbs into your yard. Photograph the problem and raise it with council.
Endeavour Energy's poles
Endeavour Energy lists The Hills Shire in its network area, and The Hills says Endeavour runs its streetlights. A tree on a street line on the Hills side of Castle Hill is Endeavour's job.
Storm damage and fallen trees in Castle Hill
Don't touch it, or anything it's resting on. SafeWork NSW says when a branch touches a line, the whole branch, leaves included, may be live. Endeavour says to keep 8 metres from a fallen line and ring them. Call 000 if anyone is hurt, and the NSW SES for storm damage to your home.
Tree jobs you can do yourself in Castle Hill
You can
- Prune small branches you can reach with both feet on the ground, using secateurs, loppers or a pruning saw.
- Photograph the tree, its trunk and any damage from the ground before you call anyone.
- Ring The Hills if you're not sure whether a permit applies.
Leave to an arborist
- Removing any tree council protects, once it has said yes.
- Pruning beyond what council allows, and anything near power lines.
- A tree leaning toward the house, or hanging over a neighbour's roof.
Hiring an arborist in Castle Hill
Work out the council first, because the Hornsby corner and the Hills side don't share a rulebook. Then measure the tree against The Hills' test (spread, height, trunk at the base) and ring council if it's close. If the tree is healthy and the real complaint is leaves or shade, expect council to say no, and put the effort into a good prune instead.