Know Your Trees
Tree care on the Mid North Coast
Practical, general information about trees on the Mid North Coast — what to look for, when it matters, and when to get someone on site.
What should I be doing with my trees this month?
Read more → StormHow to prepare trees before storm season
Read more → BushfireBushfire preparation checklist for Mid North Coast homes
Read more → What to look forSigns your gum tree may need an inspection
Read more → PruningShould you remove dead limbs before summer?
Read more → SpeciesThe best time to prune a Jacaranda in NSW
Read more → CouncilDo I need council approval to remove a tree?
Read more → On the dayGetting ready for the day — what to do before we arrive (PDF)
Download (PDF) →Month by Month
Month by month on the Mid North Coast
Tree work follows the seasons here. This is a rough guide to what is worth thinking about through the year — the current month is highlighted.
Seasonal Preparation
Storm and bushfire season
Both seasons are far easier to manage before they arrive. These guides cover what to check, when to act and what to do if something goes wrong.
Storm Preparation & Recovery
What to check before the season, what to do after a storm, and how we document damage for an insurance claim.
Read the guide →Bushfire Preparation
Fuel loads, clearances around buildings, the 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Code and what to do before the season starts.
Read the guide →Permits
Tree permits and approvals
Councils on the Mid North Coast control tree removal and significant pruning through a Development Control Plan — the local rulebook sitting under the planning scheme, usually shortened to DCP. Whether a permit is needed depends on the tree’s height, trunk size, species, land zoning and where the property sits, and the three councils here handle it differently.
Some work is exempt. The NSW 10/50 rule lets people in designated bushfire areas clear trees within 10 metres of a habitable building without applying, and there are provisions for trees posing an immediate risk. Exclusions apply and entitlement areas change, so check on the day.
Check your address on the RFS 10/50 tool →Where to apply
Permit applications are lodged with your local council by the property owner.
MidCoast Council
Forster, Taree, Old Bar
Only mapped properties are covered by the Vegetation Management Policy — check the mapping first.
Apply on the council site →Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Laurieton
A permit is needed for trees 3m or taller, or with a 100mm trunk, in urban and environmental zones.
Apply on the council site →Kempsey Shire Council
Kempsey, Crescent Head, South West Rocks
Application for Permission to Clear Vegetation (PDF) under Chapter B10 of the Kempsey DCP.
Not sure whether your tree needs a permit? Give us a call to discuss.
Ask us — 0400 912 258Signs of Decline
Signs a tree is struggling
None of these signs on their own means a tree is dangerous. Several together, or any of them on a tree near a building, is worth a closer look.
New or increasing lean
May indicate root plate movement, particularly after wet weather or storms. A lean that has always been there is far less concerning than one that has changed.
Cracks in the trunk or limbs
Vertical cracks or splits at branch unions may indicate structural weakness. Worth assessing on any tree near a building or thoroughfare.
Fungal brackets or mushrooms
Fungi at the base or on the trunk can indicate internal decay. Not all fungi are a problem, but their presence is worth investigating.
Dead branches in the canopy
Some deadwood is normal. Extensive or increasing deadwood, particularly in the upper canopy, may indicate declining health or root issues.
Lifted or cracked soil at the base
Soil doming on one side with cracking on the other may indicate the root plate is moving. This warrants prompt attention.
Sudden leaf drop or discolouration
Out-of-season leaf loss can indicate root damage, disease, or water stress. Compare with the same species nearby.
Epicormic shoots along the trunk
Vigorous shoots directly from the trunk or major limbs often indicate the tree is under stress and attempting to compensate.
Hollows and cavities enlarging
Hollows have real habitat value and are not automatically a problem. An enlarging cavity in a structural part of the tree is worth assessing.
Pests and Diseases
What is often behind it
Warm, humid coastal conditions suit pests and fungal disease. Most of what you will see is cosmetic and the tree recovers on its own. A few things are worth acting on.
Termites
Mud tubes running up the trunk, a papery nest in a branch union, fine sawdust-like frass at the base, or a hollow sound when the trunk is tapped. Termites are active year round in this region and are drawn to dead and decaying wood. Termite treatment is work for a licensed pest inspector, not for us — but if a tree is already dead or declining we can remove it, and grinding the stump takes away the food source sitting next to your house.
Borers
Small round exit holes in the bark, sawdust collecting in bark crevices or at the base, and bark lifting away in patches. Healthy trees usually cope. Borer activity on a tree that is already stressed is worth a closer look.
Lerps and psyllids
Small white or sugary domes on gum leaves, often with sooty mould and ants. Looks alarming and is very common on the coast. Trees normally push out new growth and recover without intervention. Repeated heavy infestations over several seasons are the ones worth watching.
Christmas beetles
Ragged, chewed leaves across a gum canopy in early summer. Usually cosmetic and short-lived. A young or recently planted tree stripped bare is more of a concern than an established one.
Myrtle rust
Bright yellow powdery spores and grey-brown lesions on new growth. Affects the myrtle family, including paperbark, brush box, lilly pilly and turpentine — several of the species in the library below. Avoid moving affected prunings between properties.
Canopy thinning with bell miners present
Progressive canopy thinning in eucalypts on properties with noisy colonies of bell miners. The pattern is well recognised in coastal NSW forests and is associated with sustained insect feeding in the canopy. Worth an inspection if it is advancing year on year.
If you notice any of these, take a few photos and give us a call. We can usually tell you over the phone whether it warrants a site visit.
Reference
Tree Species Library
Common species across the Mid North Coast, with identification notes, typical form, common issues and pruning considerations for each.
Blackbutt
Eucalyptus pilularis
Identification
Rough, dark fibrous bark on the lower trunk giving way abruptly to smooth white or cream bark above — the “black butt” that gives it its name. Long narrow leaves, straight dominant trunk.
Typical size & form
Commonly 30–40m in forest, often 20–30m in suburban settings. Straight trunk with a relatively narrow crown high up.
Local occurrence
One of the most common large eucalypts through the Mid North Coast, from Forster to Kempsey. Frequent in older residential streets and on bush blocks.
Common issues
Branch shedding in dry periods, borer activity in stressed trees, and root damage from nearby excavation. Height means even small limbs carry significant energy when they fall.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Sheds limbs in high wind. The rough lower bark holds fuel; the smooth upper trunk is comparatively fire-resistant.
Pruning considerations
Responds reasonably to crown thinning. Avoid heavy reduction of the leader. Height usually means an elevated work platform or climbing.
Wildlife value
Hollows in mature trees support gliders, possums and parrots. Significant nectar source when flowering.
Spotted Gum
Corymbia maculata
Identification
Distinctive smooth, dimpled bark shedding in patches to leave a mottled cream, grey and pinkish surface. Straight trunk, glossy narrow leaves.
Typical size & form
Typically 25–35m with a straight trunk and an open, spreading crown in the upper third.
Local occurrence
Widespread across the region, particularly on drier ridges and slopes. Very common as a retained tree on developed blocks.
Common issues
Prone to limb failure at tight branch unions. Surface roots can lift paving and paths. Sensitive to root zone compaction.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Large upper limbs can fail in strong wind. Smooth bark sheds rather than accumulating, which reduces fuel at the trunk.
Pruning considerations
Tolerates selective thinning well. Watch for included bark at branch unions — these are common failure points and worth assessing.
Wildlife value
Heavy nectar producer. Important for flying foxes, lorikeets and other nectar feeders when in flower.
Tallowwood
Eucalyptus microcorys
Identification
Soft, fibrous, reddish-brown bark that persists to the small branches. Leaves are glossy on top and paler underneath, giving the canopy a distinctive two-tone look in wind.
Typical size & form
Commonly 30–40m in good conditions with a dense, well-formed crown.
Local occurrence
Common on the better soils of the Mid North Coast, particularly on eastern slopes and in wetter gullies.
Common issues
Susceptible to root problems in prolonged wet conditions. Dense canopy carries significant weight; large limbs can be heavy.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Dense crown catches wind. The persistent fibrous bark carries fire readily and is a significant fuel consideration.
Pruning considerations
Thinning to reduce wind loading is often worthwhile on exposed sites. Poor pruning cuts on Tallowwood tend to produce heavy epicormic regrowth.
Wildlife value
Reliable nectar source and a favoured koala food tree in parts of the region.
Forest Red Gum
Eucalyptus tereticornis
Identification
Smooth bark shedding in irregular patches leaving blue-grey, white and reddish tones. Often a shorter, heavier trunk with large spreading limbs.
Typical size & form
Usually 20–30m with a broad, spreading crown and heavy horizontal limbs.
Local occurrence
Common on flats and river margins throughout the Macleay and Hastings valleys, and on many rural properties.
Common issues
Large horizontal limbs are prone to failure, particularly on older trees. Prone to hollowing, which can be both a hazard and a habitat value.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Heavy limbs over a wide spread mean failures can be significant. Frequently involved in storm callouts across the region.
Pruning considerations
End-weight reduction on long horizontal limbs is often more useful than general thinning. Assess unions carefully before any work.
Wildlife value
Very high habitat value. Mature hollows support a wide range of birds and mammals.
Sydney Blue Gum
Eucalyptus saligna
Identification
Smooth blue-grey to white bark over most of the trunk with a short rough stocking at the base. Tall and very straight.
Typical size & form
Can exceed 40m in good conditions. Straight trunk with a relatively compact crown.
Local occurrence
Found on the richer soils and in sheltered gullies through the region, and retained on many older properties.
Common issues
Sensitive to root disturbance and prolonged waterlogging. Height and straight form mean removals often require careful rigging.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Tall form makes it vulnerable in severe wind, especially where surrounding trees have been removed and it has become newly exposed.
Pruning considerations
Prefers light, selective work. Heavy pruning tends to produce vigorous, poorly attached regrowth.
Wildlife value
Provides nesting hollows in maturity and is a useful nectar source.
Brush Box
Lophostemon confertus
Identification
Short fibrous brown bark at the base transitioning to smooth pinkish-grey above. Leaves cluster at branch ends in distinctive whorls.
Typical size & form
Typically 15–25m in cultivation with a dense, rounded, well-behaved crown.
Local occurrence
Extremely common as a street and park tree through Port Macquarie, Taree and Kempsey, and in many established gardens.
Common issues
Surface roots can lift paving and interfere with services. Dense canopy creates heavy shade, which is often the reason people call.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Generally wind-firm and one of the more reliable species in storms. Less prone to major limb failure than the eucalypts.
Pruning considerations
Tolerates pruning well and is a good candidate for crown lifting and selective thinning to improve light.
Wildlife value
Provides dense shelter for small birds. Moderate nectar value.
Camphor Laurel
Cinnamomum camphora
Identification
Dense, low-branching evergreen with a broad rounded crown. Glossy oval leaves with three main veins from the base, pale underneath, releasing a strong camphor smell when crushed. Bark is grey-brown and finely fissured. Small black berries in summer.
Typical size & form
Commonly 15–20m with a crown often as wide as the tree is tall. Branches low and heavily, frequently with several competing stems from near ground level.
Local occurrence
Widespread through the Mid North Coast — old farm boundaries, creek lines, back paddocks and older residential blocks. Planted widely for shade before its weed status was understood. It is a Weed of National Significance and is listed as a priority weed across much of the region.
Common issues
Vigorous surface roots that lift paving, block drains and invade sewer lines. Heavy low limbs with included bark at the unions, which can split. Prolific seeding spread by birds, so removing one tree often means dealing with seedlings for years. Dense shade suppresses everything beneath it.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Brittle wood and heavy horizontal limbs make it a common storm casualty. Multi-stemmed trees with tight forks are the ones most likely to split. Not fire-resistant, but the dense green canopy carries little dry fuel.
Pruning considerations
Responds to pruning with vigorous regrowth, so reduction is rarely a long-term answer. Removal is usually the better option given its weed status. Cut stumps reshoot readily, so stump grinding matters more with this species than most.
Wildlife value
Fruit is eaten by currawongs, figbirds and flying foxes, which is how it spreads. Mature trees do offer shade and nesting, so replacement planting is worth planning before removal on an open block.
Coastal Banksia
Banksia integrifolia
Identification
Gnarled, often multi-stemmed form with rough grey bark. Leaves are dark green above and distinctly silver-white underneath. Yellow flower spikes.
Typical size & form
Usually 5–15m, often wind-shaped and leaning on exposed coastal sites.
Local occurrence
Iconic along the immediate coastline from Forster to Kempsey — dunes, headlands and coastal reserves.
Common issues
Prone to limb failure in old age. Salt and wind exposure produces irregular, sometimes unstable form.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Wind-shaped trees are generally well adapted, but old specimens can drop major limbs. Often protected in coastal zones.
Pruning considerations
Prune conservatively. Heavy pruning is poorly tolerated and can kill sections of the crown.
Wildlife value
Very high value — a critical winter nectar source for honeyeaters, gliders and small mammals.
Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria heterophylla
Identification
Unmistakable symmetrical form with horizontal branch tiers arranged in regular whorls around a straight central trunk.
Typical size & form
Can exceed 30m on established coastal sites. Very upright and formal in shape.
Local occurrence
A defining feature of the coastal towns along the Mid North Coast — foreshores, parks and older beachfront properties.
Common issues
Branch shedding in high wind. Salt-tolerant but suffers in poor drainage. Many are protected as significant landscape trees.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Sheds whole branch tiers in severe wind. Height and location near foreshore infrastructure make these a priority for inspection.
Pruning considerations
Very limited pruning options — removing a tier permanently disfigures the tree. Deadwood removal only, in most cases.
Wildlife value
Limited nectar value but provides nesting sites and roosting for coastal birds.
Jacaranda
Jacaranda mimosifolia
Identification
Deciduous with fine, fern-like foliage and a broad spreading crown. Unmistakable purple flowering display in late spring.
Typical size & form
Typically 10–15m with a wide, spreading crown often broader than it is tall.
Local occurrence
Widely planted in gardens and streets throughout the region. Flowers most reliably in November.
Common issues
Brittle wood prone to breakage. Surface roots lift paving. Weak branch unions are common in older specimens.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Among the more storm-vulnerable garden trees due to brittle timber. Worth checking before storm season.
Pruning considerations
Best pruned in late winter or immediately after flowering. Avoid heavy cuts — Jacaranda responds with weak, congested regrowth.
Wildlife value
Limited native wildlife value, though flowers attract bees and some nectar feeders.
Paperbark
Melaleuca quinquenervia
Identification
Thick, spongy, layered white-cream papery bark that peels in sheets. Often multi-stemmed with a somewhat irregular crown.
Typical size & form
Usually 8–20m. Frequently multi-stemmed, particularly in wetland margins.
Local occurrence
Abundant in low-lying and wetland areas throughout the region — common around the Macleay and Camden Haven floodplains.
Common issues
Shallow root systems in saturated ground reduce stability. Multi-stemmed forms can split at the base union.
Storm & bushfire considerations
Wet-ground root instability is the main storm risk. The papery bark is highly flammable and carries fire readily.
Pruning considerations
Tolerates pruning reasonably. Multi-stem unions warrant assessment — these are the usual point of failure.
Wildlife value
Excellent habitat value. Heavy nectar producer and important for flying foxes and honeyeaters.