Who is responsible for maintaining street trees?
The City is responsible for the pruning of all street trees. Street trees located under powerlines are pruned annually in accordance with Western Power's clearance requirements. The powerline pruning program commences in June/July each year and as part of this program, trees affecting service lines (power supply to individual residents) are also pruned.
Street trees that are not located under powerlines are pruned as required or requested to ensure safe pedestrian and vehicle access.
Residents may request for their street tree to be pruned back to the property line which, if approved, will be carried out once the City’s annual powerline pruning program is completed. All property line pruning requests must be received before September to be actioned in the current pruning season.
Tree Maintenance » City of Vincent
Tree Inspection/Pruning Request Form
Can I remove a street tree?
The City will normally only remove street trees if the tree has a disease beyond remedial treatment, is dead, is deemed structurally unsound or weak, is hazardous owing to interference with visibility/sightlines or is an unapproved variety and is deemed unsuitable by the City.
In certain instances, when all other alternatives to retain the tree have been investigated and deemed inappropriate, tree removal may be approved if the tree is affected by infrastructure improvements (including road widening or utility works), or when the tree precludes reasonable development of an adjoining property.
The City will not remove street trees in instances where they obstruct views, are disliked, cause nuisance (leaf, fruit/nut or bark drop), cause allergy and/or health problems, shade private gardens or are in the way of a non-essential crossover or verge paving option.
How does the City decide which species of street trees to plant?
When planting trees within streetscapes, the City carefully investigates the most suitable tree for each particular street or area. The City takes into account aesthetics, maintenance requirements, community preferences, site limitations, and physical characteristics of various species, both native and exotic. To assist in this, the City has created the Street Tree Selection Tool for all new and replacement planting
The City undertakes annual street tree planting projects in accordance with the Vincent Greening Plan.
In addition to programmed tree planting projects, the City will consider all residential requests for tree planting on verges.
How many trees does the City plant?
In addition to trees located within parks and reserves, the City is responsible for the care, control and management of more than 15,000 street trees.
What will we do with all the green waste?
All of the green waste created from pruning programs is mulched and deposited at community mulch piles located at behind Litis Stadium on Britannia Road, Mt Hawthorn and at the Vincent Men’s Shed on Farmer Street, North Perth.
These mulch piles provide free mulch to residents and are available year round.
The green waste in the residential FOGO bins will be taken to a regional composting site. The material will be checked for contamination and then undergo a combination of static and forced air composting processes.
The compost produced from FOGO material can be sold to farmers and industry, used in parks and gardens or for rehabilitating land. The potential uses for the compost will be determined by contamination levels.
Can street trees be pruned for solar panels?
As per the Street Tree Policy, the City will not prune street trees for casting shade over solar panels.