"Notable Tree" is a planning term. If a tree on your property is on your council's Notable Tree schedule (sometimes called Significant Tree or Scheduled Tree, depending on the district), it has formal legal protection. You can't just decide to remove it, even if it's dropping limbs on your house.
How a tree becomes Notable
Each council maintains a schedule under its District Plan. Trees are added based on criteria like species rarity, size, age, historical association, ecological significance and contribution to landscape character. Trees can be on the schedule individually, or by virtue of being inside a protected group (e.g. a heritage stand).
You can find your district's schedule on your council's website. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and most other main centres have publicly searchable lists. If you're buying a property, your LIM should disclose any Notable Tree on the site.
What you can and can't do
Restrictions vary by council, but typically:
- Routine maintenance (deadwood removal, light pruning to clear a roof) is usually permitted without consent, but must be done by a qualified arborist.
- Substantial pruning (anything taking more than about 10–15% of the canopy) usually needs resource consent.
- Removal always needs resource consent, and is granted only where the applicant can demonstrate one of a narrow set of grounds, typically dead/dying/dangerous, or where retention would be unreasonable.
- Works affecting the root zone (excavation, paving, building) usually need consent and a tree-protection plan.
The realistic timeline for Notable Tree removal
- Engage an arborist for a written report: 1–2 weeks.
- Pre-application meeting with council planner (recommended): 2–4 weeks.
- Lodge resource consent application: 4–10 weeks for processing.
- If notified (some councils notify neighbours), add 4–8 weeks plus possible hearing.
- Total: usually 2–6 months from start to grant.
That's why emergency removals of Notable Trees often have to be initiated on Section 330 of the RMA (immediate works for hazard reasons) with retrospective consent, which is a separate, more involved process.
Grounds councils accept
Successful Notable Tree removal applications usually rely on one or more of:
- The tree is dead.
- The tree is structurally compromised to a degree that no mitigation can address.
- The tree has irreparable disease (e.g. confirmed kauri dieback in a kauri).
- The tree is causing significant, demonstrable damage that can't be otherwise addressed.
- Retention is physically unreasonable in the context of approved development.
"It blocks our view" or "the leaves are a nuisance" are not grounds. Councils have heard these and they don't succeed.
What an arborist's report covers
For a Notable Tree consent, the arborist's report needs to be substantial:
- Tree identification, dimensions, condition rating.
- Detailed structural assessment with photographs.
- Risk assessment to TRAQ or equivalent framework.
- Discussion of alternatives to removal.
- Mitigation proposal (typically replacement planting).
- References to relevant standards and District Plan provisions.
What if I just remove it anyway?
Don't. Unconsented removal of a Notable Tree carries fines up to $10,000 for individuals and $200,000 for companies under the RMA, plus you may be required to replace with mature stock. Some councils pursue these aggressively.