Trees and Our Urban Forest

We are responsible for trees on City-managed land as well as implementation of our Urban Forest Strategy, which seeks to protect, preserve and enhance the leafy character and natural biodiversity of our City. Find out more below.

Verge Trees

We are responsible for planting, pruning, replacing and maintaining verge trees. You cannot plant, prune or remove a verge tree without our approval.

Request a Free Verge Tree

Each year we target an area to plant street trees as part of our Urban Forest Strategy, but you can request a free verge tree anytime. Trees will be planted in the winter planting season for requests submitted before December the previous year.

Request free verge tree

Available tree species

Request Tree Pruning or Maintenance

To request pruning or maintenance of a verge tree fill in our online form. We aim to respond to all requests within 5 working days.We will not prune trees for the following reasons:

• The tree is disliked
• The tree partially or wholly obstructs views
• The tree is perceived to present a risk of harm
• The tree is perceived to aggravate health concerns
• The tree produces leaf litter, flowers, fruit and bark
• The tree attracts unwelcome fauna and associated issues
• The tree is perceived to be inappropriate for the site

Request street tree pruning or maintenance

Request Removal of a Verge Tree

A tree will be considered for removal if:

• The tree is deemed unsafe by us
• The tree is dead or in irreversible decline
• The tree is damaged beyond remediation
• The tree is inappropriate for the site

Contact us to request the removal of a verge tree.

Report Health of a Tree

If you are concerned about the health of a tree please let us know so we can investigate.

Report the health of a street tree

Tree Vandalism and Unauthorised Tree Removal or Pruning

It is an offence to purposefully vandalise or damage any trees on City-controlled land, including pruning or removing trees located on verges.

If you see a vandalised tree or someone vandalising a tree please contact us so we can investigate.

If you prune or remove a street tree without our permission, we may issue an infringement and you may be liable for all costs associated with remediating any damage or removing and replacing the tree. For further information on infringements see our Tree Policy.

Our Urban Forest Strategy

The Urban Forest Strategic Plan 2017-2036 was created to bring our Urban Forest and Green Spaces Policy to life, looking to protect, preserve and enhance the leafy character and natural biodiversity of our City. Since it's adoption in 2017, the City of Melville has taken steps to help renew our aging tree population and increase canopy cover in targeted areas.

In October 2024, the Urban Forest Strategy Review was adopted by Council. This review acknowledges our achievements, addresses ongoing challenges, and underscores the vital role of collaboration between the City and the community in managing our urban forest.

Read the full report

Urban Forest Management

The City has developed a database of City-managed trees. Explore the interactive dashboard below to learn more about our urban forest.

Urban Forest Interactive Dashboard

Trees on Private Land

We do not currently regulate trees on private land, though we encourage retention where possible as these trees form a significant part of our urban canopy.

Whether a tree on a private property is cut down, or not, is the decision of the property owner. In the interim and until such time as a Local Planning Policy has been developed and seriously entertained, the City will continue to enforce current practice being, there are no requirements for permission and/or separate development approval to remove a tree on private land.

We can only investigate trees on private land if they pose an immediate safety risk.

Issues with Encroaching Roots and Branches

If the tree is located on private property, then this would be classed as a civil matter.

For civil matters, we suggest contacting the Citizens Advice Bureau. They can be contacted via phone on (08) 9221 5711 or via email on [email protected].

On their website they also have a page dedicated to issues with encroaching roots and branches. For further information, view the page here.

Trees and Developments

We have certain rules surrounding the protection of verge trees when developing a site. It is the responsibility of the developer to ensure all contractors and site managers are aware of our rules as to avoid any infringements.

For more information about our rules around trees and developments see our Tree Policy.

2026 WA Tree Festival

Each year, the WA Tree Festival brings us all together to share the value of trees and encourages us to protect and improve our existing urban tree canopy. Our current tree canopy sits at 12.5% and by 2050 we are aiming to increase this to 15%.  

The festival highlights the important role trees play in our lives, from helping combat the effects of climate change, creating cleaner, greener and cooler spaces, and providing habitat and food for our wildlife.  

This year’s WA Tree festival has something for everyone, from gardening in a changing climate with green thumbed Sabrina Hahn and rewilding for Carnaby's and Cockatoos and building climate resilient homes through inspired infill to our jampacked library events calendar. Brand out this year and get involved in our tree-mendous events, workshops and activities. 

 We can all play our part to help safeguard our precious trees for the future. 

 The 2026 WA Tree Festival is sponsored by the Government of Western Australia, with the support of WALGA and Perth NRM. 

CHECK OUT OUR TREE-MENDOUS EVENTS