What trees (type and size) can you cut down in South Australia?
FAQ
Can I clear my own Land?
As long as you are acting within the law and have all the required permits of course you can. Keep in mind however that tree felling, especially the felling of large trees is an extremely dangerous undertaking with the ability to endanger life and property if the tree falls the wrong way. Once felled trees need to be cleared or they will quickly create a fire risk. Councils in a lot of rural areas in South Australia are quick to issue 'clean up demands' to people who clear their own land and are not quick enough to clean up the debris.
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So can I clear my own land? Yes, but if it is a significant job it is much better left to organisations with the correct equipment and relevant experience.
What trees can I cut down on my property?
It depends, every council have different land clearing policies so you will need to check with your local council for specifics. Here however are a few general guidelines
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If the trees you are looking to clear are within 10 meters of your house you can clear them without a permit.
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If the trees are regulated or significant, (the trunk diameter is less than 2 meters 1 meter above normal ground level you WILL need a permit.​
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If the tree species are not subject to the regulated and significant trees regulations - see below section on what trees can I cut down you can remove them without a permit
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In some areas you can create a fire / fuel break of between 5 and 7.5 meters without a permit.
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If the trees are less than 3 meters high a permit is not required.
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Dead or fallen trees can be removed without a permit.
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Trees planted as part of a woodlot, orchard or other form of plantation created for the purpose of growing and then harvesting trees or any produce may be removed without a permit.
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The above is of course only a guide and you should always seek council advice. We can also provide specific advice in relation to your trees. Call Steve.
What size trees can I cut down
A regulated tree is a tree with a circumference more than 2 meters as measured 1 meter from the natural ground level. Once the circumference reaches 3 meters they are classified as a significant tree. The only grounds for removing these trees without approval is if they are within 10 meters of a house.
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Generally, (it varies council to council) if a native tree is less than 3 meters high it can be removed. The rules for non native trees are more lax.
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Plan SA have a very helpful PDF guide that you can download here
What about fire breaks & CFS requirements?
According to the CFS You can reduce, modify or remove native vegetation within 20m of a building (including overhanging limbs). Significant trees in the 10m–20m zone from a building will need approval to remove.
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To protect a structure (e.g. a shed) you can reduce, modify or remove native vegetation within 5m of a structure (including overhanging limbs). Significant trees however will need approval to remove in this 5m zone.
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To construct a fuel break you can remove vegetation to construct a fuel break up to 5m wide. In. some areas to construct a fuel break you can remove native vegetation up to 7.5m wide without approval.
What vegetation do you clear?
All of it. Trees, brush and grass.
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Most commonly around South Australia we are contracted to clear pine plantations, blackberry infestations and fire damaged trees.
With mechanical tree removal equipment, rotary brush cutter attachments for skid steer machines and industrial grade grass slashers there is nothing we can't tackle.
What equipment do you use?
As you would expect that depends on the job. Our equipment includes excavators with a range of attachments including a grapple saw. In some cases it's best to use the grapple saw to 'cut' the tree down, in other cases it's best to dig around the tree and push it over (this method also removes the root ball). We than have a harvester which is used to pick up the logs and place them on it's own trailer for transporting to a spot on the site that is accessible to our log trucks which then remove the logs. We are the only operator in the area with a folding skel (the part of the log truck that actually carries the logs - the trailer part). This means we can get into tighter spots than a full trailer can, unfold the skel and load up.
How do you minimise environmental impact?
Firstly, as of course you would expect we only act strictly within the confines of South Australia's environmental regulations. Our seven decades of experience means that when we remove trees we know how to not damage adjoining vegetation, waterways or any other terrain that may later lead to a mudslide or other negative environmental outcome.
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Our equipment is also well maintained and suited to the jobs we tackle. Trying to tackle a big job with small equipment tends to lead to more damage than good. Having the right equipment minimises the impact on the environment.
How do we get started?
Give Steve a call today. We will agree a time to come out and survey what you are looking to achieve and will discuss the best way to get it done. The two major factors here are to ensure we are acting within the confines of Plan SA's legal requirements and of course keeping the budget firmly on the economical side.
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Once we have agreed upon the method and budget we will get to work. how long the job will take will depend on the terrain and the type of vegetation we are clearing. If for instance it is 6 foot high blackberry (all too common in the Adelaide hills) we can clear up to 500 square meters an hour.