FAQs - Trees

You can see if a tree on your property is registered in the MEP by checking the Council’s Smart Maps layer for ‘Heritage Sites and Trees’.

Go to 'Heritage Sites and Trees' on Smart Maps.

This shows all trees that are protected in the MEP. You can also contact the Council’s Duty Planner for information about notable trees that have been protected.

There are some trees on private property that have a protected status through conditions of resource consent, a consent notice or a covenant registered on the title of the property. You can check your property title to see if there are any such registrations. While these trees have not been included in the MEP you should check with the Duty Planner if you wish to carry out any work on the tree or near to it.

The responsibility for maintaining protected or notable trees rests with the landowner in all circumstances.

There are specialist tree care people such as qualified arborists who can help advise you on how to look after the health of trees and how to manage the safety of trees. The Council does not provide advice on how trees on private land should be looked after.

Qualified arborists who work in Marlborough are:

There are rules in the MEP that affect what you may do to trees that are registered. These include:

• permitted activity rules to allow minor pruning;
• a resource consent being required to carry out significant pruning or removal of a notable tree.

There are also rules applying to activities near to a notable tree and/or within the tree protection zone around a notable tree. This zone is a specified area set aside to protect a tree’s roots and crown from activities that may potentially cause damage.

The rules for notable trees can be found on our website.

Go to notable tree rules on our web page (Please see Chapter 2)

In all cases you should contact the Council’s Duty Planner to discuss any proposed work to a notable tree or proposed activities in close proximity to a notable tree.

A fund was set up by the Council in 2014 to support landowners in managing notable and protected trees. The fund acknowledges the contribution these trees make to the amenity and environmental quality of Marlborough.

The 'Parks and Open Spaces' Section of Council administers the fund and any enquiries about the process of applying to receive funding are to be directed to them.

Fill out an online application for funding assistance to maintain a notable tree

From time to time the Council receives requests to add trees to the register in the MEP. A nominated tree (or stand of trees) is assessed to see whether the tree or group of trees:

• commemorates an important local event;
• is an important landmark and has been for some time;
• has historic association with a well-known public figure or has had strong public association for some reason;
• is rare or an important species; or
• is regarded as a significant amenity tree after an assessment.

There is no guarantee that a nominated tree will be added to the register as research and consultation needs to occur before a decision can be made.

A form is available on the Council’s website if you would like to nominate a tree.

Fill out a 'Nomination a heritage building site place or tree nomination form'

Contacts

If you would like to find out more information about notable trees please contact the Council on 03 520 7400 or as follows:

Duty Planner - Marlborough Environment Plan rules

Go to Duty Planner Service information

Parks and Open Spaces Section – Fund for Maintaining Notable Trees or putting plaques on trees

Email our Parks and Open Spaces for more information

Environmental Policy Team – nominations for adding trees to the register or information about why trees have been registered.

Email our Environmental Policy Team for more information