Pruning · North Shore
Tree pruning and hedge trimming
Good pruning keeps a tree healthy and safe without butchering it. Bad pruning can kill it, and on the north shore it can also land you a council fine.
Pruning we do
- Deadwooding: removing dead and dying branches before they fall.
- Clearance pruning: lifting branches off roofs, gutters, driveways and paths.
- Crown thinning: reducing wind load and letting more light through without topping the tree.
- Crown lifting: raising the lower canopy for headroom over lawns and walkways.
- Hedge trimming: shaping and reducing hedges, including tall screening hedges.
- Palm cleaning: dead fronds and seed pods. See palm trees.
All pruning follows AS 4373-2007 Pruning of amenity trees. Topping and lopping a tree back to stubs isn't pruning under that standard, and north shore councils treat it as damage.
When pruning needs a permit
This is where north shore councils differ most.
| Council | Pruning without a permit |
|---|---|
| Mosman | Mosman is stricter than its neighbours on pruning: all pruning on private land needs Council consent unless the tree is an exempt species. |
| North Sydney | Light maintenance pruning is exempt within strict limits (10% of the crown, branches up to 100 mm). Anything more on a protected tree needs a permit. |
| Willoughby | Willoughby allows selective pruning of up to 10% of the crown every 5 years without a permit. Keep records of what was done. |
| Lane Cove | Pruning a tree above the size thresholds needs a permit, but dead branch removal can go through the fee-free permit. |
| Ku-ring-gai | Ku-ring-gai exempts minor pruning (branches and roots up to 50 mm), deadwood, and branches directly over the roof of a house pruned back to the nearest junction. Larger pruning on a protected tree needs approval. |
Summary checked on 3 November 2026. Size thresholds, exempt species and heritage areas also apply.
Branches from next door
If a neighbour's tree overhangs your property, you can usually apply to prune the overhang back to the boundary, and the work has to follow AS 4373. Councils generally won't force a neighbour to prune or remove their tree. For disputes that go further, the Community Justice Centres run free mediation on 1800 990 777.
Tree pruning by suburb
We cover the lower and upper north shore. Local pages:
Common questions
How much can I prune off a tree?
As a general rule, no more than 10% of the live crown in one go. North Sydney exempts light maintenance pruning within that limit (branches up to 100 mm), and Willoughby allows up to 10% of the crown over five years. In Mosman, pruning a non-exempt tree needs consent.
When is the best time to prune?
Most trees can be pruned any time of year. Deadwooding and clearance work shouldn't wait, especially before storm season. Flowering and fruiting trees are best pruned after flowering.
Can I prune a tree to get my view back?
North shore councils generally don't approve pruning or removal of healthy trees for views. Willoughby lists views and light among reasons it usually won't accept.
Need a tree looked at?
Tell us the suburb and send a photo. We'll tell you what's involved, whether council needs to approve it, and what it should cost.