Trees Close to Homes and Boundaries
On an established block the tree and the house have usually been coexisting for years, which means proximity issues come up more often here than on a newly subdivided lot: branches over the roof, roots near a driveway, or a boundary tree a neighbour has raised concerns about.
Where a renovation, extension or new structure is planned close to an existing tree, the same tree that has been fine for twenty years can suddenly become a genuine design constraint once excavation or new footings are on the table. An Arborist Report for a Development Application, DA Arborist Report or Arboricultural Impact Assessment may be required depending on the site and proposed works.
Knockdown rebuilds, duplexes, secondary dwellings, extensions and swimming pools are all common across these suburbs, and a mature tree close to the proposed building area can become the single biggest constraint on the design if it is not identified early. Where trees are to be retained through construction, appropriate protection needs to be in place before work starts, not worked out once excavation has already begun.