Is my tree protected? One of the first questions you should ask yourself, or your arborist, when considering tree work options. A tree may be protected for a variety of different reasons and it is not always obvious which trees are protected and which ones are not.
Failing to comply with the Resource Management Act by working on a protected tree without permission can result in a fine, so if you are unsure if your tree is protected it is worth finding out.
How do I check if my Tree is Protected?
The council keeps a map of scheduled (protected) trees and this information is available online at the following Trees in Auckland ink. Alternatively you can contact Auckland Council or Pro Climb to check the scheduled tree list.
Other trees may be protected under specific planning conditions related to when your property was built. For this you will need to check the title deeds for your property.
The rules relating to tree protection in the urban environment were revised meaning that some trees which were previously protected no longer are. However, the definition of “urban environment” is not as simple as it seems and many urban properties will fall outside of this definition and as such the trees may still be protected under the pre-existing blanket protection.
The following checklist may help to indicate that your tree could be protected. This checklist should only be used as general indication and in no way guarantees that your tree is, or is not, protected. To know for sure you will need to contact the local authority’s planning department.
Factors to consider when asking “is my tree protected?”
- Is the tree mature (/large)?
- Is the tree native?
- Does the property within a significant ecological area?
- Is the tree situated on a steep bank?
- Is the property over 4000m²
- Does the property have water and sewer supplies that are not connected to the town supply?
- Is the property free of residential housing or commercial / industrial buildings?
- Are you aware of any planning conditions associated with your property?
Answering yes to any of these questions could indicate that your tree is protected. If in doubt it is always wise to check before you carry out any tree work.
If your tree is protected, Pro Climb are happy to apply for resource consent from the council and supply any Arborist reports that may be required to support the application.
More information about the question “is my tree protected?” can be found at the following links:
Contact Pro Climb for further information
