Tree maintenance

Our Urban Forest – Tree Management

The City is responsible for trees on City-owned and managed land and also for implementing the City of Fremantle Urban Forest Plan. The City aims to protect the existing green spaces and trees and progressively grow and diversify the City’s tree population for adaptive climate management and amenity, and to collaborate effectively to plant, plan, design and sustainably fund programs to create a resilient urban forest for our community.

Verge Trees

The City is solely responsible for planting, pruning and maintaining City verge trees. You cannot prune, remove, or plant verge trees without approval from Council. Further details can be found here: Council Policy

Request Verge Tree Maintenance

To request an inspection for tree pruning or maintenance complete the online form below:

Tree pruning or damaged tree | City of Fremantle

Please note, street trees are pruned for the following reasons:

• Ensure clearance from overhead power lines
• Allow unobstructed pedestrian and vehicle movement
• Ensure clear traffic sightlines
• Improve tree form and health
• Remove dead, dying diseased or pest infested branches
• To define tree form and structure
• Other reasonable requests.

Street trees will not be pruned to:

• Improve views
• Reduce leaf or fruit litter, bark drop, bird droppings or similar
• Reduce height without a justifiable arboriculture cause
• Reduce shade.

Tree Vandalism

Damaging or vandalising trees on City owned or managed land, including pruning or removing trees on street verges, is an offence. Pruning or removing a street tree without prior approval may result in an infringement notice. You may also be held responsible for the cost of tree replacement and tree maintenance.

If you witness tree vandalism or notice a damaged tree, please report it to us so we can investigate: Tree pruning or damaged tree | City of Fremantle

For more details, refer to our Council Policy

Footpath obstruction from overhanging vegetation on private property

If you see a tree, shrub or vines on a private property that is obstructing a footpath, please contact the City on (08) 9432 9999.  The City will request residents prune or remove the vegetation.

Trees on Private Land

The City of Fremantle has a Tree Retention Policy to protect large, mature trees on private land. This policy, Local Planning Policy 2.26, requires development approval for the removal of trees that meet certain criteria. The policy applies to all lots within a Development Area, on land zoned ‘Industrial’, or on land coded R30 and below. Further details can be found here Local Planning Policy 2.26