Tree removal in Merrylands: what's local
Holroyd's old centre
Merrylands was home to the old Holroyd council, whose chambers were built in Memorial Avenue in 1962. Since 2016 it's been part of Cumberland City Council, which took in Holroyd except most of Mays Hill. Holroyd's history records people buying land here after the railway came and subdividing it for housing and small farms.
The pruning line
Cumberland's DCP lists some small pruning that can go ahead without consent, such as deadwood and up to 5% of the live crown a year using cuts on branches no more than 150mm, done to AS 4373. Past that it's a permit and an AQF Level 3 arborist at least. Check with council before relying on the small-pruning list. The Cumberland permit page explains more.
Woodland gums
The 2009 woodland listing named Holroyd among the council areas where Cumberland Plain Woodland is known. If your big old gum is a Grey Box or Forest Red Gum, expect council to look closely at any request to take it out.
Lines and faults
Endeavour Energy lists Cumberland in its franchise area. For a tree on a street line, call them: the line is theirs to clear.
Choosing an arborist in Merrylands
Cumberland warns that if you employ someone for illegal tree works, you're the one held responsible and may be fined $3000 or taken to court. In 2016 a company was fined $8,000 in Parramatta Local Court for clearing 10 trees at a Smithfield industrial site without consent.
After a storm, the DCP lets emergency works go ahead on a severely storm-damaged tree once an AQF Level 5 consulting arborist has assessed it, with a written and photographic record sent to council afterwards. If that arborist finds failure is likely and the fall zone can't be cleared, an emergency application can be made to council by phone.
Questions to ask an arborist in Merrylands
- Can I have the quote in writing? Cumberland suggests getting 2 or 3 written quotes.
- Can I see your public liability and workers' compensation insurance?
- What AQF level do you hold in arboriculture?
- Will the pruning follow AS 4373?
- Will you lodge the Tree Works Application, or should I?
Hiring an arborist in Merrylands
We'd get two or three written quotes and compare what each says about the permit, the pruning standard and the clean-up, not just the total. If someone offers to lop a big tree back without a permit, we'd say no, because in Cumberland the fine can land on you.