Whether you’re thinking about planting a tree on your property or considering what to do about an existing tree, there are a few things you need to consider, such as tree protection and resource consent for tree removal.

Our latest version of 'Caring for our trees and bush' has even more information to help you select, plant and manage trees on your property. It provides information about appropriate trees and bush for our city’s environment, advice on building near trees, tips for pruning and protecting them, and now contains helpful tips for planting along streams or where stormwater flows.

Caring for our trees and bush PDF (1.3MB)

Please note, this is a large document and may take a few minutes to open. Alternatively, pick up a copy from council offices, libraries, citizens advice bureaux, local garden centres or by contacting us on 486 8600.

See also:

Tree protection
Tree consents
Nature for Neighbourhoods

Valuing trees

Most of us plant trees and shrubs around our homes to make them look more attractive but also to create a pleasant place to live. Trees have many other useful functions and we should consider these when selecting which trees to plant on our properties and in our gardens.

Trees:

• provide a home and food for birds, insects and other wildlife  
• add nutrients to soil and prevent erosion
• reduce global warming by absorbing harmful greenhouse gases and releasing oxygen for us to breathe
• offer shade and shelter from the sun, wind and rain
• help reduce stormwater runoff
• filter sunlight and rainfall to produce fresh, clean air
• add character to our homes, city and environment.