Trees and green infrastructure

The City of Hobart manages approximately 20 000 trees across its streets and parks, with many more in bushland reserves.

The tree population is a collection of indigenous self-sown trees and trees were planted from more than 150 years ago.

This represents a large cultural and economic living asset.

Community engagement

Our tree care team is trained and qualified to undertake routine assessments of public trees. Trees are assessed for their health, growth habit, structure, stability, growing environment and clearance requirements from infrastructure such as roads and powerlines.

The City of Hobart recognises the right of the community to be informed and to have input into decisions that impact their lives. Trees in streets and parks are owned and managed by the City for the benefit of the entire community.

While street trees are not owned by residents of a property adjacent to a tree on public land, the City recognises that people can feel very strongly about 'their' street tree and is committed to informing adjacent residents when a street tree is proposed for removal or planting.

Trees that are identified as immediately hazardous will be removed as a priority and it may not be possible to inform adjacent residents of urgent works.

Significant trees

The City has spent many years identifying significant trees within our community, and listing them on a Significant Tree Register. It was done to recognise the use, character and value that garden and street trees contribute to the urban environment.

The register includes photographs of significant trees, a location map and a description of each tree's significance. For more information on the Significant Tree Register visit our significant trees page.

Overhanging vegetation

Vegetation that has grown from private property onto a road or footpath can pose a problem for pedestrians and motorists.

Property owners are responsible for ensuring that vegetation, including any tree, hedge or shrub, doesn't extend beyond their boundary and encroach onto public footpaths and public right-of-ways, or obstruct the view of motorists.

Under the Local Government (Highways) Act, we can issue a property owner with a written request to tend to overgrown vegetation. Property owners are given a timeframe, not being less than 14 days, to address the overgrown vegetation

If the property owner fails to do so, we may carry out the work and invoice the property owner.

You can contact us about overgrown vegetation by emailing coh@hobartcity.com.au or call us on 03 6238 2711.

Private trees

The City of Hobart does not inspect or undertake works on trees growing from private property. The management of private trees is the responsibility of the property owner. 

If you have a question about tree or vegetation removal on private property please phone 03 6238 2715 and ask to speak to a Development Appraisal Planner or email coh@hobartcity.com.au.

If you have a concern relating to a tree on your neighbour's property we recommend you speak with them directly about it. You may wish to review the resources on the Department of Justice's website regarding the Neighbourhood Disputes about Plants Act 2017.

1. How are trees inspected in the City of Hobart?

We proactively inspect trees that grow on Hobart's streets and in our parks on a cyclical basis. If we notice work is required during these inspections we will inform surrounding residents who may be impacted by the works.

We also inspect trees on City of Hobart land if requested by the public- please call us on 03 6238 2886 or email coh@hobartcity.com.au

2. How soon will a tree be inspected?

Once we have received a request to inspect a tree we will attempt to inspect the tree within 2-3 weeks and we will email or call you with the outcome of the inspection. If it is an urgent request we will attend to it promptly.

To request an inspection, please call us on 03 6238 2886 or email coh@hobartcity.com.au.

3. What if it is an urgent tree inspection?

If you see a City-owned tree that poses an immediate risk to public safety please contact us on 03 6238 2886 and we will inspect it urgently. Examples of urgent inspection requests are trees with:

• broken branches that are likely to fall on to a road, footpath or driveway
• trees that are suddenly leaning, have recent cracks in the soil or have roots coming out of the ground
• trees with recent cracks and splits through the trunk, or
• fallen trees on public land that are blocking an access way.

4. Will you remove a tree that is blocking my view, sunlight or dropping leaves in my gutter?

The City will not consider the removal of a tree to reduce the amount of leaf/flower/fruit drop, increase views or solar gain, where there is competition for gardens or where there is a preference for an alternate species.

5. Will the City prune trees close to power lines, phone lines or NBN lines?

The City is not authorised to prune trees that are touching or very close to power lines. If a tree is interfering with power lines please contact TasNetworks directly on 1300 127 777. 

6. Can I have a tree on my property inspected?

No. The City only undertakes inspections on City-owned and managed trees. 

Residents cannot plant trees on their nature strip unless a prior arrangement has been made with the City of Hobart.

If you would like to have a tree planted on your nature strip please fill out the online form, or contact us on 03 6238 2886 or coh@hobartcity.com.au.

Neighbourhood tree planting request form