Trees

We want to continue to help owners maintain, enhance and preserve the natural and built environment by providing funds relating to building works and maintenance of significant and regulated trees. 

Unley's Conservation Grant assists owners to preserve Significant and Regulated Trees, Local Heritage Items or Contributory buildings in a Conservation Zone in a 'safe and aesthetically pleasing condition'.

The Grant encompasses Unley's vision to become the 'City of Villages'; proud of its history, built character, landscaped environment and community well-being while ensuring sustainability into the future by responding to the need and expectations for change. 

For further information, please visit our conservation grants webpage. 

Our City has approximately 26,000 Council owned trees, of which 22,426 are street trees that need to be managed like any other asset, especially given the rise in extreme weather events. 

Older trees

There comes a time in the life cycle of trees when they start to age and decline to a stage where they must be removed, or when disease or damage means that replacement is the best option.

Council has developed a Succession Program to guide the regeneration of our Urban Forest to ensure the City remains vibrant, leafy and sustainable for future generations. 

Trees and powerlines 

SA Power Networks manage the clearing of vegetation from around powerlines. For more information, please visit the SA Power Networks website.

Useful information about vegetation clearance near powerlines can also be found by visiting the Government of South Australia website. 

Requesting tree maintenance

Keeping our streets and roads clean and safe is important to us.

Residential roads (local roads) are cleaned on a 6 week cycle. You can view our schedule to see when your street will be cleaned. 

Street Cleaning Schedule 

Let us know if you have a street maintenance request.

Make a request

All residential rateable properties are entitled to a kerbside green organics bin for garden clippings and food scraps. Once collected, this organic matter is recycled into mulch, compost, potting mix and top dressing soils. 

If you do not have a green organics bin, please contact Council's Waste Management Officer on (08) 8372 5111. 

If you are finding that one green organics bin is not enough, you can complete an application to request an additional bin (fees applicable). 

Additional Bin Request

The City of Unley provides discounted services to help with basic chores both inside and outside of the home for residents who qualify. This includes basic garden maintenance, gutter cleaning and other in home support.  

Getting Help At Home

Trees are Protected by Law 

When working next to trees it is critical that the Australian Standard 4970-2009 ‘Protection of Trees on Development Sites’ is adhered to. 

Any damage to Council street trees or regulated/significant trees on private property will result in the City of Unley taking relevant enforcement action which may lead to prosecution.

Speak with someone qualified 

You should seek advice from a qualified arborist to determine the legal status of the tree/s, and to assess the possible impact your proposed development activities may have on such tree/s.

Request to remove trees on public land

Development approvals do not provide you with approvals to alter a public road(PDF, 148KB) in which street trees exist'.

If your development requires the removal of a Council street tree, you are required to lodge an application(PDF, 33KB) providing your development approval number and any other information you deem relevant.

Every application is assessed individually, and, not all applications will be granted permission for tree removal. Trees must not be removed, pruned or damaged before approval is granted.

Please be aware that alterations to public land (tree removal) will result in costs that you will be required to pay in full prior to Council undertaking any works.

These costs will include, but are not limited to labour, plants, replacement tree/s, stump removal/s and loss of amenity to the community.

Retain and Protect 

The City of Unley is known for our green, leafy suburbs and our community value trees highly. All trees, whether public or private, contribute to our urban forest and play an important role in making our city attractive, healthy and liveable.

When determining requests, staff will apply Council’s Tree Policy, noting there is a priority to retain and protect existing trees wherever possible.

Please consider alternative options to tree removal. Effective tree management (i.e. pruning), monitoring or clever design can ensure a tree remains a valuable asset to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Tree canopy cover is the layer formed by the branches, leaves and crowns of trees.

Canopy cover is defined as any tree above 3m in height.  While smaller trees and other vegetation also provide many benefits across the city, the 3m height allows direct comparison to the 2018 study set by the State Government and keeps the focus on a height at which trees are expected to start delivering canopy cover benefits.  Newly planted trees are unlikely to be 3m or more in height and have therefore been excluded from the analysis.

Unley is known for its leafy streets and the community recognises the importance trees play in our health and wellbeing.

Leafy streets and gardens can: 

• reduce household cooling costs by more than 10%
• attract birds and butterflies to your garden
• provide wildlife habitats
• provide edible fruits and nuts
• improve air quality
• improve human health outcomes, including 16% lower heart disease and stroke rates
• increased property value, and
• create privacy screens. 

Trees in streets, parks and private gardens are one of the most effective methods for reducing heat in urban areas and the adverse effects of climate change.

Overall we are aiming for 31% canopy cover by 2045. However we understand that every property is unique and may not have the space for large trees or to plant new ones. Some people also have trees that they keep pruned lower than 3m tall and these would be missed by this LiDAR analysis. 

So while the average private property canopy coveage is currently 22.34%, please consider your properties percentage in balance with your unique situation.

The percentages displayed on rates notices are for informative purposes, raise the awareness of the importance of canopy cover city-wide, and encourage residents to keep the trees they already have and plant more trees if possible.

Improving data management is a key part of Council’s Tree Strategy, which aims to create a resilient, healthy, and diverse urban forest to keep Unley leafy for future generations.

Looking at the information by street and suburb will enable a targeted approach to implementing Council’s Tree Strategy work.

The LiDAR data will support and guide Council toward reaching its overall target of 31% canopy cover by 2045, and guide the Council and the State Government in achieving its canopy cover targets:

• The 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide (2017) outlines key directions to create a greener city through an increase in green cover by 20% across metropolitan Adelaide by 2045. This represents an increase from 26% to 31% for Unley.
• The City of Unley Tree Strategy has a matching goal of a 20% increase in green cover by 2045.

The LiDAR data will also support Council’s proactive advocacy at the state level to influence change in the Planning and Design Code.

Council created a tree canopy map of our City using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), which uses laser pulses from an overflying plane. Only canopy 3m or taller was captured across both public and private land. The results create a 3-D map of the canopy cover to a 10cm resolution. The image at the top of this page gives you a great example of the level of detail created.

Council then used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to overlay each LIDAR dataset over property boundaries to give individual property detail.

The tree canopy coverage % is calculated using:

1. The total area of the individual property
2. The total area covered by canopy (only canopy 3m or taller is captured) captured using LiDAR technology.

Council then used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to overlay the LIDAR canopy results with each individual property. This provides each property's individual canopy coverage result as a percentage.

For example. If your property is 500m2, and the canopy cover was 50m2 your total canopy cover percentage is 10%.

Data was collected in April 2018 and April 2021 to track the progress of our tree canopy cover over time.

Due to the number of laser pulses picking up branches as well as leaves to create the 3-D canopy map, it still gives a reliable result even if some deciduous trees were starting to lose their leaves at the time of capture. The image as the top of this page gives a good indication of the level of detail picked up.

Council’s commitment is at a city-wide level, aiming to restore canopy cover to a target level of 31% by 2045.

Of course actual percents vary across land use and ownership. For example our leafy city streets and roads currently have an average of 44% tree canopy coverage.

A percentage target at the property level is not set.By providing this data to residents, Council aims to educate and encourage an increase in canopy cover on private land.

No, the canopy cover assessment work was completed by the City of Unley and not related to the State Government tax. The Regional Landscape Levy (Formerly the Natural Resources Management Levy) is a state tax. Councils are required under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 to impose and collect the levy on all rateable properties on behalf of the State Government. 

The proceeds are paid to the Green Adelaide Board. The Council will collect $1.43 million in the 2021-22 financial year.

For specific information about how this levy is used, please visit

• Landscape South Australia
• Green Adelaide.

Yes, an overhanging canopy is included in a property result as it is captured inside the property boundary. The LiDAR shows where the canopy falls over a specific area, but it does not show where the trunk is located. 

Due to information supplied by the Land Services SA, canopy cover for approximately 1500 properties cannot be reasonably measured by Council.

A small number of properties, particularly in multi-unit apartments, cannot display a discrete result.

Anyone can access canopy cover information at a  property level in the City of Unley on the My Canopy app.

You can also look at the overall 2018 canopy cover map with the Department for Environment and Water Urban Heat and Tree Mapping viewer. Please note this does not provide individual property percentages.

The LiDAR results show that most of the increase in canopy cover is due to established trees growing larger. Across the whole of City of Unley, we are collectively still losing more trees than recently planted ones. Essentially this means that existing, growing trees are compensating for the trees lost in recent years.

Council staff have started to apply this new data to analyse changes at a whole of Council level.

Analysing the data results will allow Council to track progress and better target future investments.

Council has recently made an agreement with Green Adelaide (part of the Department for Environment and Water) to partner with other metropolitan Adelaide Councils on a repeat capture of both LiDAR Canopy Cover and Heat Mapping over summer of 2022.

Overall we currently have 44% canopy coverage over streets and roads and 28% over other public land.

Environmental Stewardship is a key strategy of the City of Unley – one aim is to maintain and improve Unley’s urban forest.

Our arboriculture team look after our existing park and street tree assets with a combination of inspections, cyclic pruning, maintenance and even clever use of stormwater such as these tree inlets.

To further increase our canopy we have been planting more new trees. For example

• In the 2020-21 annual budget, Council allocated $160,000 toward planting 440 new trees on public land to increase the canopy cover across the City.
• In the 2021-22 annual budget, one of Council’s key projects is implementing Council’s Tree Strategy to increase canopy cover across the district through the planting of 275 new trees.

Council only has powers regarding significant and regulated trees. Authority, regulation and policy-making rests with the State government, and Council continues to advocate for strengthening of protection for Significant and Regulated Trees

Where the State Planning Commission is the relevant authority to access and determine development applications, Council can raise concerns over the removal of trees, however the final decision rests with the State Commission Assessment Panel.

The City of Unley Tree Strategy(PDF, 9MB) sets a long-term vision for Council and the community to keep Unley leafy for future generations. It considers current and emerging issues, opportunities and trends in our community relating to trees. In addition to managing and maintaining our existing trees, there is a focus on expanding and establishing new trees across the City. 

The Tree Strategy was developed in consultation with members of the community, staff and key stakeholders. It responds to the voice of our community and provides us with the guidance to effectively manage, protect and expand our leafy urban forest for generations to come.

Recent studies show trees in the City of Unley are rapidly declining due to such factors like mature trees reaching end of life, urban infill or the trend for smaller gardens on private land. Council recognises the adverse impact this has on our City and community.

The City of Unley has a target to increase green cover by 20% by 2045
(which is approximately equivalent to 14,000 additional trees).

Our goal includes preserving our existing canopy cover wherever possible, and, incorporating new tree canopy in our streets and public spaces, developments and re-developments.

The City of Unley's goal for increased green cover are in line with the direction set by Resilient East and the State Government's 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide. Additionally, Greener Spaces Better Places is a collaborative project to increase canopy cover in urban environments nationally by 20%. 

Individual backyards, gardens and corporate landscaping make significant contributions to our community. With 80% of the City’s land privately owned, Council cannot meet state and local targets by focusing on public land alone. Ensuring Unley remains leafy and resilient for future generations requires Council working together with private land owners and the community. We are strengthening and increasing programs and initiatives to help retain and increase canopy cover on private land.

In 2020, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation recognised the City of Unley with Tree Cities of the World designation for the care and planning of urban trees and forests. This international program celebrates cities across all continents that meet core standards. 

Within our City lives a River Red Gum on Wilberforce Walk, Forestville, believed to be the oldest living thing in South Australia! Estimated at 800 years of age, it is also one of the largest, with a circumference of seven metres. 

The City of Unley has community fruit tree orchards in six of our parks. These orchards are maintained by Council and volunteers, but the produce is available to share for all park users. Look out for lemons, oranges, mulberry, guava and more. 

Aside from enjoying a seasonal mandarin at the playground, the orchards are a great way for children to learn more about where food comes from and inspire growing fruit at home. 

You can find these community orchards at Princess Margaret Playground, Soutar Park, Orphanage Park, Morrie Harrell Playground, Henry Codd Reserve and Fullarton Park.

Through our Tree Tags project, we have calculated the value of individual trees in Unley and are promoting the benefits they provide to our community. Our Tree Tags show how much shade the tree provides, how much carbon dioxide it absorbs and how much oxygen it produces.

Photo credit: Jason Tyndall

Trees play a vital role in our community and they provide us with many benefits. Not only do they enhance the beauty of our neighbourhoods and create a sense of place, they also improve air quality, reduce wind, provide habitat for wildlife, cool our homes during heatwaves, increase property value, hold cultural and historical value, reduce local flooding, improve our mental health, and much more!

All of these benefits help to create a great place to live, so that is why we are committed to caring for our trees, while planting new ones to ensure future generations benefit too.

City of Unley cares for 26,962 trees and we have a Tree Strategy which outlines our target to increase our urban tree canopy by 20% by 2045. This aligns with State Governments targets to increasing canopy cover as part of the 30-Year Greater Adelaide Regional Plan.

You can enjoy the many benefits trees provide right in your own garden! Consider where you can plant a new tree, introduce a potted one, or increase overall greenery on your property. 

Trees are long-lived assets that provide benefits over many generations, so we carefully plan and select trees to ensure they thrive and survive for the long term, while our community gets the best out of them.

City of Unley is guided by our Tree Strategy and Tree Policy which sets out our priorities for planting and maintaining trees within our City. We plant a mixture of local native, exotic, evergreen and deciduous species to ensure diversity and the character of our suburbs is maintained.

Our street tree planting is also governed by legislation, including the Local Government Act 1999, Electricity Act 1996, Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations 2010 and the Water Industry Regulations 2012.

New trees are selected by qualified arborists who consider a number of factors, such as;

• availability and quality of the tree species/type;
• location and planting conditions;
• space available (above and below ground);
• soil type;
• water availability;
• maintenance requirements;
• surrounding habitat and wildlife;
• ·nearby infrastructure like powerlines, stormwater pipes etc. (above and below ground);
• proximity to buildings;
• ·visibility and safety (i.e. unobscured road signs)
• sensitivity to disease and pests;
• local culture, heritage and sense of place;
• resilience to climate change.

We also prioritise plantings in suburbs with low canopy cover, areas with higher populations of vulnerable people, or areas that are more impacted during heatwaves.

Before we plant new street trees, we write to nearby residents or businesses to inform them that a new tree will soon be planted.

If you have space for a tree on the verge the front of your property, please contact us at www.unley.sa.gov.au/Report-an-issue to request one. If you have a particular tree species in mind, please include this so our arborist can consider your preference. Please note, planting a tree may not be possible in your location for reasons like limited space or interference with underground infrastructure.

Avenue planting (where both sides of a street is lined with the same tree species) has been a popular practice to design a uniform look.

This approach is becoming less preferred as it creates a higher risk of street-wide tree loss if there is pest infestation, disease, drought or heatwaves. Different tree types (or species) and ages have different tolerance levels. Where one tree can survive a drought, and another may die. Similarly, one pest or disease may impact one tree, and not another. An example of this can be seen in 2023, where hundreds of pine trees had to be removed in Highbury due to an outbreak of giant pine scale. 

The current best practice is to plant streets with a mixture of different trees and ages, so when one of these threats comes along, less trees are impacted.

This mixture has other benefits too. By maintaining trees of different species and ages, we avoid all of the trees reaching the end of their lives at the same time. We can promote long-term tree health, increase local biodiversity, provide better habitat for wildlife, and improve resilience to climate change – not only for trees, but for people and property too!

When we select trees to plant, we also look at their sensitivity to these threats to make sure we have trees that can thrive and be enjoyed for many years.

Of course, some avenue plantings have significant or historical value in our region, and it is important that we recognise and preserve these. 

As part of our commitment to protecting trees and ensuring they stay healthy and safe, we have a proactive tree management and maintenance program for looking after the 26,962 trees in our City.

Our arborists undertake a regular health assessment and risk audit for each of our trees every one to five years. This timeframe varies from tree to tree as it depends on the type, location, age and other factors. Trees assessed as being at higher risk or in high traffic areas are assessed more regularly. These assessments help us to map out our pruning program, and any other requirements a tree may need, like pest treatment or watering.

There are many reasons why we prune trees. Maintenance pruning helps maintain their structural stability and extend life expectancy, as well as reduce risks from branch failure and clear access roads and pathways. Our aim is to allow trees to develop a natural shape, and only prune what is required and in a way that the tree is not adversely impacted. Young trees receive extra care and formative pruning until they are well established, grow strong and form a suitable shape.

We also prune trees outside of our regular pruning program if trees are damaged during storms or by passing vehicles. 

South Australian Power Networks inspects and prunes trees under powerlines regularly to make sure that power infrastructure is safe. More information is available on their website at www.sapowernetworks.com.au

Members of the public are not permitted to prune, alter or damage any trees on council land. You can report suspected suspicious activity to Council trees.

To request a tree assessment for pruning, please contact us at www.unley.sa.gov.au/Report-an-issue.

Please note that we will not prune or remove trees to reduce fruit, leaf and other debris fall, remove birds or other wildlife, improve views, reduce shading of lawns or gardens, improve visibility of property signage or increase street lighting on private property.   

If a Council tree is overhanging your property, you can request a pruning assessment.

Each request we receive is inspected by a qualified arborist following the Australian Standard for tree pruning. The assessment will consider a number of factors, particularly how pruning will impact the health and structural stability of the tree. We will also consider proximity to infrastructure and buildings/dwellings and risk to the community.

Generally speaking, a tree simply overhanging a property does not warrant pruning. If our arborist decides pruning is required, then only the amount required will be trimmed.

To request a tree assessment for pruning, please contact us at www.unley.sa.gov.au/Report-an-issue.