Check for protected trees
Do you live in a Significant Ecological Area or have notable trees on your property?
If you live in the Waitākere Ranges, your property is most likely within a Significant Ecological Area and it may have trees that are listed as notable. This means you probably have at least one tree in your garden that’s protected.
If you’re thinking about removing a tree, it’s important to check whether it’s protected first. If it’s listed as a notable tree or falls within a Significant Ecological Area, it can’t be removed or pruned (other than very minor pruning) without resource consent.
How can I check whether my tree is in a Significant Ecological Area?
- Head to Auckland Council’s Unitary Plan map
- Search for your address in the search bar at the top of the screen
- Click ‘Legend’ in the upper left-hand corner
- Click the down arrow on the right-hand side of ‘Unitary Plan Management Layers’
- Click the down arrow on the right-hand side of ‘Overlays’
- Click the down arrow on the right-hand side of ‘Natural Resources’
- Tick the ‘Significant Ecological Areas Overlay’ box
- If your property is located in a Significant Ecological Area, you’ll see green crosses covering the area of your property that’s protected (the Significant Ecological Area might cover some or all of your property)
How can I check whether the tree is listed as a notable tree?
Head to the Auckland Council's Notable Trees Schedule
Press control + F (PC) or command + F (Mac), then search for your address using the main word in your street name (for example, if your address is 63 Seaview Road, you’d search for ‘Seaview’)
If your address isn’t listed in the schedule, this means you don’t have any notable trees on your property
If your address is listed in the schedule, this means you do have notable trees on your property (there may be one or several notable trees at your address, as detailed in the schedule)
If the tree I want to remove is protected, what does this mean?
If you live in a Significant Ecological Area or have notable trees on your property, it’s important to speak with the council before removing any trees or plants to confirm whether resource consent is required.
You can get in touch with Auckland Council on enquiry@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or 09 301 0101.
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