Native Perth Trees: Which Ones to Keep and Which to Remove

Native trees provide irreplaceable benefits to Perth's urban environment and should be preserved whenever possible.

Environmental benefits:

Wildlife habitat: - Food source for native birds (especially parrots and cockatoos) - Nesting sites for possums, birds, and insects - Nectar for bees and other pollinators - Critical corridors connecting habitat fragments - Support for endangered species

Climate benefits: - Superior shade and cooling in Perth's heat - Carbon storage and air purification - Reduce urban heat island effect - Adapted to local climate extremes - Require less water than exotic species

Soil and water benefits: - Deep roots prevent erosion - Improve soil structure - Filter stormwater - Maintain groundwater levels - Adapted to Perth's sandy and clay soils

Property value: - Established natives increase property appeal - Character and aesthetic value - Lower maintenance than exotic species - Heritage and cultural significance

Many Perth native trees have legal protection and cannot be removed without council approval—sometimes not at all.

Highly protected species:

Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala): - Critically endangered in the wild - Natural range limited to Perth coastal plain - Strict protection under State and local laws - Removal rarely approved unless dangerous - Penalties up to $200,000+ for illegal removal

Other frequently protected natives: - Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) - often protected - Marri (Corymbia calophylla) - commonly protected - Sheoak species - protected in some areas - Banksia species - protected as significant trees - Ancient trees of any species (typically 100+ years)

Council-specific protections: Each Perth council has different tree preservation orders. Common criteria: - Trees over certain trunk diameter (often 40cm+) - Trees in environmentally sensitive areas - Trees of heritage or cultural significance - Trees in local biodiversity corridors

Before removing any native tree, check your local council's Tree Preservation Order and Natural Area mapping. Illegal removal can result in massive fines and orders to replant.

These native species typically add value to Perth properties and should be retained when healthy and safely located.

Excellent natives for urban Perth:

Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata): - Moderate growth rate - Excellent shade tree - Attracts native wildlife - Long-lived (500+ years) - Cultural significance - Keep if: Healthy, well-placed, structurally sound

Marri (Corymbia calophylla): - Beautiful flowering tree - Critical food source for black cockatoos - Distinctive large gumnuts - Drought tolerant - Keep if: Away from structures (branch drop risk), healthy, space for mature size

Peppermint trees (Agonis flexuosa): - Beautiful weeping form - Moderate size (10-15m) - Responds well to pruning - Coastal wind tolerant - Keep if: Well-maintained, not causing foundation issues

Banksia species (especially Firewood Banksia): - Spectacular flowers - Excellent bird attractant - Moderate size - Iconic WA species - Keep if: Healthy and in suitable location

Tuart (where established): - Majestic large tree - Legally protected - Rare and significant - Keep unless extremely dangerous

Smaller natives always worth keeping: - Hakea species - Acacia species (wattles) - Callistemon (bottlebrush - smaller varieties) - Native shrubs and understory

Some native species, while environmentally valuable, can cause problems in urban settings. These may be candidates for removal depending on location.

Natives requiring careful consideration:

River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis): - Extremely large (40m+) - Aggressive water-seeking roots - Regular large branch drop - Suitable for: Large properties, parks, far from structures - Consider removal: Near houses, over driveways, small yards

Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus rudis): - Very large (20-30m) - Messy branch drop - Extensive root system - Water-seeking in Perth's climate - Suitable for: Waterfront properties, large lots - Consider removal: Residential blocks, near foundations

Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca rhaphiophylla): - Can become very large - Aggressive roots seeking water - Often planted inappropriately in small yards - Suitable for: Wetland areas, large properties - Consider removal: Small yards, near pipes

Marri in high-risk locations: - While valuable, Marri drops branches - Particularly dangerous over entertaining areas - Large gumnuts are projectiles - Consider removal: Directly over houses, pools, or high-traffic areas

Large old Tuarts with structural issues: - Even protected trees may need removal if dangerous - Requires council approval and arborist reports - Removal only when public safety risk demonstrated

Use this framework to evaluate whether your native tree should stay or go.

Keep the tree if:

Health and structure: - Tree is healthy with good canopy - No significant structural defects - No serious disease or pest issues - Regular maintenance keeps it safe

Location: - Adequate space for mature size - Safe distance from structures (10m+ for large trees) - Not interfering with essential infrastructure - Not causing or threatening foundation damage

Value: - Protected or significant species - Mature and irreplaceable - Significant wildlife value - Heritage or cultural importance - Adds property value

Consider removal if:

Safety concerns: - Structural defects that can't be remedied - History of large branch failure - Root failure or severe lean - Advanced disease with no treatment - Dangerous location with no alternative

Damage issues: - Causing active foundation damage - Roots blocking sewer lines - Impossible to maintain at safe size - Wrong species for the location

Legal/practical: - Preventing essential building work - Insurance requirements for removal - Required for development approval - Creating genuine safety hazard

Removing native trees in Perth almost always requires council approval. Understanding the process helps ensure compliance.

Typical approval process:

Step 1: Determine if approval needed - Check council's Tree Preservation Order - Measure trunk diameter at 1m height - Identify species (some always protected) - Check property zoning and overlays

Step 2: Gather required documentation - Qualified arborist report (usually required) - Site plans showing tree location - Photos of tree and surrounding area - Reason for removal request - Replacement planting proposal (often required)

Step 3: Submit application - Complete council application form - Pay application fee ($100-$500 typical) - Allow 4-8 weeks for assessment - May require public advertising

Step 4: Respond to requests - Council may request additional information - May require alternative solutions first - May approve with conditions

Common approval conditions: - Replacement planting requirements (often 2-5 trees) - Specific native species to be planted - Minimum size of replacement trees - Ongoing maintenance requirements - Timing restrictions (avoid bird nesting season)

What strengthens applications: - Professional arborist reports - Evidence of genuine safety risk - Documentation of damage - Photos and structural engineering reports - Demonstrated attempts at alternatives

Before removing a native tree, explore all alternatives. Councils and environmental values favor tree retention.

Viable alternatives:

Crown reduction: - Reduce tree height and spread by 20-30% - Maintains tree while reducing risk - Must be done by qualified arborist - Suitable for managing size in tight spaces - Repeat every 3-5 years

Structural pruning: - Remove defective or dangerous limbs - Improve tree structure and balance - Reduce specific risks while keeping tree - Address branch drop concerns

Root barrier installation: - Prevents future root damage - Can be retrofitted around existing trees - Protects foundations and pipes - Allows tree retention

Crown elevation: - Remove lower branches - Improves clearance over buildings or paths - Maintains tree presence - Reduces bushfire risk

Engineering solutions: - Foundation underpinning - Pipe relining for root-invaded drains - Retaining walls to manage root pressure - Allows valuable tree retention

Ongoing management: - Regular professional inspections - Preventive pruning schedule - Monitor for issues - Document tree care for council

Present alternatives to council in your application—it demonstrates good faith and increases approval likelihood if removal proves necessary.

If you do remove a native tree, replanting natives is usually required and always environmentally responsible.

Choosing replacement natives:

For small to medium gardens (under 500m²): - Peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) - 10-15m - Dwarf Jarrah cultivars - 8-12m - Firewood Banksia (Banksia menziesii) - 5-8m - Acacia species (wattles) - 4-8m - Hakea species - 3-6m - Native bottlebrush (smaller varieties) - 3-5m

For larger properties: - Jarrah (if council approved) - Marri (in suitable locations) - Sheoak species - Tuart (if in natural range and approved) - Native she-oaks

Planting best practices: - Plant in autumn (April-May) for Perth - Choose local provenance where possible - Follow safe distance guidelines - Consider mature size - Water establishment period only - Mulch with native mulch - No phosphorus fertilizers

Typical council requirements: - Replace 1 removed tree with 2-5 new trees - Must be native species - Minimum size at planting (often 1.5m+) - Survival guarantee period (usually 12 months) - Report compliance to council

Create habitat value: - Plant multiple species for diversity - Include understory plants - Create wildlife corridors - Use plants that flower/fruit at different times