Pro Climb Arborist company providing tree work

Our Tree Care company provides an all inclusive maintenance and management tree care service for you property. Book online or call 021 508 806 for a fast quote

  • Tree Care Services
    • Arborist Services
      • Tree Treatment
      • Tree Surgeons
      • Tree Inspection
    • Landscape Tree Services
      • Tree Lopping
      • Tree Topping
      • Tree Pruning
      • Tree Planting
      • Tree Transplanting
      • Tree Moving
      • Tree Trimming
      • Overhanging Branches
      • Tree Bracing
      • Tree Spraying
      • Tree Roots
    • Tree Cutting Services
      • Tree Removal
      • Tree Felling Services
      • Tree Mulching
    • Hedge & Shrub Services
  • Contract Tree Services
    • Tree Services for Schools
    • Tree Services for ECE
    • Tree Services for Councils
    • Emergency Tree Services
    • Vegetation Management
    • Environmental Research
    • Tree Climbing Services
  • Reviews
    • Submit Review
  • Arborist Training
    • Safety Training
    • Aerial Rescue Training Auckland
    • Tree Rigging Training
    • Tree Climbing Training
      • Single (Stationary) Rope Technique for Tree Climbing
      • Advanced Tree Climbing Techniques
      • Tree Climbing for Canopy Research Training
  • About
    • Meet the Pro Climb Team
    • Living Wage Employer
    • Careers with Pro Climb
    • Case Studies
    • Newsletter
    • Environmental Policy
  • Blog
    • Tree Care Advice
    • Garden Tips
    • How to guides
    • News
  • Contact

Questions or Bookings?
call 09 300 1422

You are here: Home / Tree Care Advice / Things Homeowners Need to Consider If They Have Protected Trees

Things Homeowners Need to Consider If They Have Protected Trees

03/05/2021 by timur

protected trees

Straining your eyes? You can listen to this automated AI version of the article here:

Nothing adds beauty to a property quite like a stunning native tree. From Pōhutukawa to Pūriri and Kōwhai to Kauri, we’re fortunate to have what nature provides us here in Aotearoa.

Contents

  1. Which Trees Are Protected in Auckland?
  2. What it Means for a Tree to Be Protected
  3. You Might Need a Resource Consent
  4. The Steps To Take When You Need Emergency Tree Removal in Auckland
  5. Getting Expert Help

However, with a native tree comes some responsibilities you may not have considered – particularly if you live in Auckland. Whether you’re about to make some changes to your property, or you simply want to know what your obligations are regarding protected trees, read on.

Which Trees Are Protected in Auckland?

Auckland Council encourages all residents to “check before you chop” when it comes to undertaking any tree felling projects in Auckland – and sometimes in surrounding regions. Even if you own the land on which a protected tree is sitting, that doesn’t mean you have consent to chop it down.

If a tree is in the way of a renovation project, it can be worth finding out whether it’s on the protected tree list in NZ.

So, which trees appear on this list? One of the most prominent trees is the Kauri. Although, you would know if such a tree was present in your backyard since it can grow up to over 50 metres tall, with a girth up to around 16 metres.

The Pōhutukawa, a staple graphic on a Kiwi Christmas card, also appears on the list, as does the beautiful Tōtara, Puriri, and Norfolk Pine.

If you’re not sure whether you have protected trees on your land or not, it can be worth contacting a tree care provider in Auckland or the Auckland City Council to find out. Otherwise, you may end up accidentally chopping down an incredibly important tree.

What it Means for a Tree to Be Protected

If you have discovered that you can’t cut down a tree because it appears to be protected, then you may wonder why that is. Surely your tree can’t be that special, right?

There is a myriad of different ways for the Auckland City Council to categorise your tree. It may be referred to as scheduled, notable, or listed.

Protection may also be provided for your tree because it’s a resource consent condition, or is protected by a covenant or consent notice on the property title. Your tree may also be subject to a general tree protection rule.

Automatic protection isn’t granted to a specific class or species, except on the Hauraki Gulf Islands. Here, the island receives an extra layer of statutory protection due to its landscapes, biodiversity, and spiritual importance.

You Might Need a Resource Consent

Something you may not be aware of as the owner of a protected tree is that you require resource consent to fell it, prune it, or build near it. Given that rules can change surrounding what you can and can’t do with protected trees, it can be worth contacting your local council or a tree care company to learn more. Knowledge is power, and making a few phone calls may prevent you from making a mistake you can’t fix.

The Steps To Take When You Need Emergency Tree Removal in Auckland

When you are the proud owner of a beautiful Pōhutukawa, Pūriri, Kōwhai, or another protected tree, it can be heartbreaking when you realise it’s now posing a danger.

It might be too close to powerlines, sustained damage in a storm, diseased and dying, or it might be impacting your home or other structures on your property. Before you start the tree felling process, you still need to take a few critical steps to ensure that removing a protected tree is the only option you have.

1. Receive written advice from a professional arborist

2. Take photos of the tree and the problems it’s facing or causing

3. Explain why the tree needs to be urgently removed

4. Describe the tree’s condition.

Given your need for a professional arborist or tree care expert in Auckland, it can be worth contacting the New Zealand Arboricultural Association for a list of numbers in Auckland to call. Pro Climb is one such business that may be able to provide the help you need.

Getting Expert Help

Many homeowners love having well-established trees on their property that provide shade, shelter, noise reduction, and erosion protection.

However, native trees that are protected can require a bit of extra care above and beyond what you would provide for a non-native tree.

Before you undertake tree trimming, tree pruning, tree felling, tree spraying, or something else, contact tree service providers in Auckland. They can advise you of your rights and requirements and make sure they are doing what’s best for you and your tree.

If you need a helping hand with caring for native trees, they can also share their expertise on mulching, watering, and general care that gives your protected native trees the best chance of survival.

Filed Under: Tree Care Advice

Get Advice Directly in Your Inbox


 
 


Fast Quote

  • First and last name
  • Ignore if residential

Tree Care and Tree Climbing Advice Directly in Your Inbox


 
 


PRO CLIMB

Arboriculture Consultants and Tree Care Contractors

Pro Climb was founded on the idea that trees require the utmost respect and care and are an asset that can enhance your property. With that in mind, we scoured the country looking for tree contractors … Read More >>

AFFILIATIONS

HAPPY CUSTOMERS

I’d just like to say thanks for the fantastic job your team did. They were so careful and efficient, great to deal with – a pleasure to have them on site. Martin next door also very pleased & says you are now his tree guys. – Jenny Maidment

Google Rating
Google Rating
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Phone
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • CONTACT INFORMATION

    09 300 1422

    info@proclimb.co.nz

  • OFFICE HOURS

    7:30am to 4pm

    Mon-Fri

Copyright © 2022 Pro Climb Limited