Planting guidelines


Tree Planting Guidelines

Before planting, careful consideration should be given to the location of trees and shrubs to minimise future problems.

A basic guide for planting follows:

  1. Don't plant too close to buildings or in-ground pools or plant large trees too close together: Determine the height and canopy of trees when fully grown. Allow room for root growth (at least twice the height of the tree). Large trees should be planted at least three metres from buildings.

  2. Check when planting under wires or over drainage lines: Determine the mature size of the tree and the size and nature of its root system.

  3. Consider your neighbours when choosing plants: Consider the effect on neighbouring properties (i.e. shading, loss of views, impact on foundations, fences and services).

  4. Use trees to provide your home with summer shade and/or winter sun: Plant deciduous trees (suitable to the climate and soils of Hornsby Shire). Consider the summer and winter shadows of evergreen trees.  

  5. Don't grow climbers on trees: Climbers can strangle trees, leading to the tree's eventual death.

  6. Retain and protect as many trees as possible when building or extending your home. (This will be a Council requirement).

  7. Use locally native and non-invasive species in your garden: Increase the success rate of your garden.  Attract native fauna to your garden. Reduce the amount of watering required.

  8. Don't excavate or alter the ground level around trees: Can cause root damage or starving of the roots. Can cause limb drop, instability or tree death. Substantially altering soil level within three metres of the trunk is in breach of the Tree Preservation Order.

  9. When buying plants, check their characteristics: Check on mature size, shade characteristics, potential for roots to cause damage, flowers, fruits and pollen, to determine their suitability.

  10. Mature trees do need maintenance: Remove or trim misshapen branches. Check for fungal rots or other diseases. If in doubt, contact Council for a tree inspection or contact an experienced Arborist. Indiscriminate lopping can be dangerous to your safety and the health of the tree.

For more information about local native plant species see:

Feature Items