City of Ryde's tree rules, in plain English
In Ryde all trees and vegetation are protected, so you need a Tree Management permit from Council to prune or remove a tree unless it falls under an exemption. The main exemptions are small trees (under 4 m tall or with a trunk under 150 mm at 1.4 m), light pruning (under 10% of the crown in 12 months, branches under 60 mm), trees within 3 m of the house, Council's exempt species and declared weeds.
What's protected
Trees 4 m or taller, or with a trunk 150 mm or more across at 1.4 m, are protected. If your tree is over the threshold and not on an exemption below, you need council's approval before pruning beyond the allowance or removing it.
No permit needed for
- Trees under 4 m tall and/or with a trunk under 150 mm across at breast height (1.4 m).
- Removing deadwood or pruning less than 10% of the crown in 12 months (branches under 60 mm, no animal hollows, to AS 4373).
- Trees whose stem at ground level is within 3 m of the outside wall of a lawfully built dwelling, or an outbuilding over 20 m², on the same land.
- Species on Council's exempt list, and state, regional and local priority weeds.
- Dead or dying trees (from natural causes) that are not habitat and are a risk, but only after Council confirms in writing.
- Work authorised by a development consent or under the RFS 10/50 Code, Electricity Supply Act or similar.
Pruning without a permit
Without a permit you may remove deadwood or prune less than 10% of the live crown in any 12-month period, cutting only branches under 60 mm in diameter, as long as the branches have no hollows used by native animals and the work follows AS 4373. Council's Tree Pruning Guide says all pruning must be done by an arborist with at least AQF Level 3. Larger pruning needs a permit.
Fees
$94 for a residential application (one tree, 2026/27), paid to council (not to us) and generally non-refundable. Council usually asks for a replacement tree to be planted when it approves a removal.
What we do for you
Tell us about the tree and we'll tell you which rule applies: exempt, pruning within the allowance, or permit. If it needs a permit we'll tell you what to put on the form and what the fee is. If council wants an arborist report, Joshua Baber writes it. Then we do the approved work, following any conditions.
Questions people ask us
What happens if I remove a protected tree without a permit?
Unauthorised tree removal is an offence under NSW planning law, with on-the-spot fines and court penalties that can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, plus replacement planting. It's never worth it: ask first.
What if the tree is dangerous right now?
A tree that is an imminent risk to life or property can usually be made safe, but councils want evidence: photos and an arborist's assessment before anything is cut, and some want to be told first. Call us before the tree is touched; once it's gone, so is your proof.
Do I need an arborist report?
Not for most applications. Councils ask for one for larger or disputed removals, dead or dangerous trees, development sites and appeals. Joshua Baber, our AQF Level 5 consulting arborist, writes them; usually on site within a week and the report about a week after.
Not sure which rule your tree falls under?
Send a photo with something for scale and tell us the suburb. We'll tell you straight.