Tree removal in Canberra is regulated under the Urban Forest Act 2023 (ACT).
Our local Level 5 Arborists prepare arborist reports for tree removal, hazardous trees, health and safety assessment and development approval across Canberra.
Most trees on public land and many on private land are protected. Where removal is proposed, approval may be required and supported by clear arboricultural evidence, particularly where safety, structural failure or development impacts are involved.
Tree removal associated with development is assessed differently and often requires supporting arborist documentation.
See more at Level 5 Arborist Reports for Development.
Only if the tree is not protected or approval has been granted.
In some cases, trees may be removed without approval where they are:
All trees on public land are protected and require approval.
Where a tree meets protection criteria, approval is generally required before removal.
Protected trees cannot be removed without evidence.
A Level 5 arborist report is used to:
Removal must be demonstrated, not assumed.
Tree failure risk is based on structural condition and site context.
Assessment considers:
These indicators help determine how the tree is behaving structurally.
Trees show visible responses to stress, loading and structural weakness.
Using biomechanical principles developed by tree biomechanics researcher Claus Mattheck, assessment considers:
These visible structural responses help determine whether a tree remains stable or presents an elevated risk of failure.
Where condition is unclear, additional testing may be used, including:
These tools provide objective data to support the assessment.
Yes. A Level 5 arborist report provides the technical basis for decision-making.
Council does not approve removal based on requests alone.
Assessment typically relies on:
A well-prepared Level 5 report provides the information required to support a decision.
Experience directly affects the quality and reliability of the assessment.
Some authorities request minimum experience levels because:
Experienced arborists provide consistent, defensible assessments aligned with real-world tree behaviour.
Only in genuine emergency situations.
Immediate action may be justified where:
In most situations:
If in doubt, document the condition and seek arborist advice before removal.
The typical process includes:
Where development is involved, tree removal is generally assessed as part of the overall approval process.
Learn how protected trees, Tree Management Plans and development approvals work in the ACT, at Canberra Tree Compliance Guide.
Our Level 5 Arborists provide arborist reports and development tree assessments throughout Canberra, servicing properties across all major Canberra districts.
We service all suburbs located within the following districts and surrounding areas across the ACT:
