Aussie tree pruning expert lifts lid on legal dos and don'ts of combating encroaching vegetation over neighbourhood fence

Sky News AU

30-07-2025

A tree pruning expert has lifted the lid on what Aussies can legally do to combat common neighbourhood disputes over encroaching vegetation.
It's the thorny issue that can quickly replace the driveway wave and chit chat with brewing vengeance and a trip to Bunnings for a pair of clippers.
Overhanging branches which extend beyond property lines can block sunlight, drop leaves and fruit, and potentially damage property, leaving neighbours frustrated and getting their pennies' worth out of their blower.
However, before people take matters into their own hands and start an all-out war with the joint owner of their fence, Warren Yaghmour from True Blue Tree Lopping in Sydney took to TikTok to offer some advice.
And the dos and don'ts of hacking into neighbours' rogue trees are clear: follow Australian standards and individual council regulations.
As for throwing the branches back over the fence? A hardline don't.
"Don't chuck the branches back over is definitely the first rule of thumb. That will just get you in all sorts of a mess," said Warren in a recent video.
'Of course, everything has to go Australian standards and council regulations," he added.
'So we're only allowed 10 per cent, we're not allowed to touch the canopy of the tree, so the top branches you're not allowed to prune.
'It's all the lower stuff as close as we can, and all cuts go to Australian standards, and they're back to the collar."
Warren said cutting only half of the branches is a no-go.
Elaborating on how best to avoid sitting beside your angry neighbour at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), the expert urged people to familiarise themselves with their local council's regulations.
'You've got to find out every single suburb's council, and then go through their list and see what you're allowed to do and what not,' he said.
'Different species of trees require different assessments, and sometimes you're allowed to trim big branches and sometimes not.'
Warren said taking the time to know which plants can be trimmed and at what height can be the difference between a hefty fine in the mail or not.
People took the comments with their own individual grievances, with one person asking what happens if the vegetation is blocking solar panels.
In that case, Warren said the foliage can be trimmed back if it grows over "to your side."
Another person questioned what only cutting the lower branches would achieve when it's the top ones that wreak havoc on the gutter or roof.
Warren insisted it's putting away the low-hanging vegetation that "minimises the mess and branches rubbing on gutters and the roof".
One more person declared it should be the neighbours' responsibility to maintain their trees and clippings.
"I always throw the clippings back. Why should I have to bin it! Not to mention the fence is buckled too," the person said.
More people were not having a bar of Warren's council spiel, with one person saying: "No council will stop me removing a tree over my roof."
"If only the council followed their own regulations," another person said.
According to the NSW Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006, a council permit is needed to prune or remove a tree, but the type and condition of the tree may result in an exemption from approval.
Compensation for damage to property caused by a tree on a neighbour's land can also be sought through the Land and Environment Court.