Trees give us privacy and shelter as well as enhancing our lifestyle and our district. To protect these valuable assets Rodney District Council, Auckland Regional Council and the Government have put in place some guidelines and regulations about what you can and cannot do with trees.
For more information on these regulations and what's involved if you're looking to prune or remove trees on your property, please consult our brochure 'Tree's Company'.
For more information on tree maintenance, click here.
Removal Of Trees
For information on the removal of trees in resource consent applications please consult our brochure: Guideline for Resource Consent applications on sites containing trees, bush and vegetation, protected under a District Plan
Tree Trimming Rules - RMA Changes
From 1 October 2009, changes to the Resource Management Act mean that a greater number of Rodney residents are now able to trim trees without requiring a resource consent.
What trees can I trim without requiring a resource consent?
In Urban Areas
Trimming of trees is permitted without a resource consent if:
1. Your section is no greater than 4000m2 and is:
a) connected to a reticulated water supply and a reticulated sewerage system; and
b) there is a building used for industrial or commercial purposes, or a dwelling or house on the section.
Other Areas
If your property is not covered by the definition above in 1a & b then you may trim a tree without obtaining a resource consent if you have checked that none of the sections regarding trees in sections 7.9.4.1 or 18.9.3 of the Rodney District Plan apply, and your tree is not listed as a historically and culturally significant tree under section 17(c) of the District Plan.
If any of the sections of the District plan listed above do apply then you will need to apply to the Council for a resource consent. If you are in any doubt please contact the Council to clarify the situation.
What do you mean by trimming?
By trimming we mean minor pruning of the canopy of any tree. (i.e. this excludes the roots).
Trimming should be limited to no more than 20% of live growth removal in any one year and should be carried out in accordance with currently accepted arboricultural practice, ensuring that the natural form and branch habit of the tree species is retained.
Helpful trimming tips
We recommend that you consult an arbourist before trimming. If you do intend to trim yourself here are some useful tips.
Always use clean, sharp tools. Use secateurs for small branches, and pruning saws or loppers for larger branches. Never use hedge shears to trim a tree.
- Avoid cuts that remove the branch collar, which is the fold of wood where the branch joins the trunk.
- Never cut across the top of trees (topping) as it will weaken the tree and can cause excessive regrowth, which breaks easily and can be a safety hazard.
- Trim when a tree is young - younger trees recover better from trimming than mature trees.
Tree Trimming Steps
Diagram source: Auckland City Council
1. Locate the branch bark ridge
2. Find A - outside of branch bark ridge
3. Find B - swelling where branch meets branch collar 4. Make final cut at line AB to trim dead branch.