Local rules

Tree rules in the City of Whitehorse — what Mitcham owners should know

Whitehorse takes its leafy character seriously, and Mitcham is no exception. The council has tree protection controls that can require a permit before certain trees are removed or heavily pruned — and they apply to trees on private property, not just street trees.

The frustrating part for homeowners is that it's hard to know from looking at a tree whether it's protected. Size thresholds, species and overlays all play a part, and getting it wrong — even innocently — can mean substantial fines.

Our process on every Mitcham job

  • We assess the tree's likely protection status during the free quote — before you commit to anything.
  • If approval is needed, we tell you what's involved and help prepare the application.
  • Dead or dangerous trees can be treated differently — we document the tree's condition properly so the exemption is defensible.
  • Only when the approvals are in order does the work get scheduled.

It's a few days of patience that protects you from a fine that could cost more than the tree work itself. The check costs nothing — it's part of every quote.