Native Trees in Perth: Care, Pruning and Removal
Perth is built among some of the toughest, most beautiful trees in the country - jarrah, marri, tuart, flooded gum and dozens of other eucalypts and natives. They're well suited to our climate, but they come with their own quirks around care, protection and removal.
Common Perth natives
- Jarrah & marri - dense, slow-growing hardwoods. Long-lived and tough, but the timber is hard work to cut and grind.
- Tuart - a Swan Coastal Plain icon, often protected.
- Flooded gum / lemon-scented gum - fast, tall and prone to dropping limbs near homes.
- Jacaranda & WA peppermint (agonis) - popular street and garden trees.
Caring for natives
The good news: established natives are low-maintenance. They're adapted to poor sandy soils and dry summers, so they generally want less water and feeding than exotics, not more. The main jobs are:
- Deadwooding - removing dead limbs before they fall.
- Hazard reduction - lightening or reducing big limbs over the house or driveway.
- Light shaping - and that's about it. Avoid hard pruning; many natives don't reshoot from old wood and respond badly to lopping.
The limb-drop issue
Eucalypts are famous for dropping branches, particularly in summer heat and after heavy rain. It's normal tree behaviour, but a large gum overhanging a roof, car or play area is worth regular inspection and deadwooding to keep it safe.
Before you remove a native
This is the big one. Many Perth councils protect significant and native trees, and clearing native vegetation can require approval depending on the location. Removing an established native without checking can land you with a serious fine. Start with our guide on whether you can cut down a tree in Perth, and confirm with your council.
Get native-tree advice
San's Tree Service works with Perth natives every day - pruning, deadwooding and removal where it's permitted. Free quotes and honest advice on what's protected. Call (08) 9560 6103 or see the suburbs we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Are native trees protected in Perth?
Some are. Many Perth councils protect significant trees and certain native species, and clearing native vegetation can need approval depending on the site. Always check with your local council before removing an established native.
Do native trees need pruning?
Most WA natives are low-maintenance and resent heavy pruning. They mainly need deadwooding, hazard reduction and the occasional light shape. Avoid hard cuts - many natives don't reshoot well from old wood.
Why do gum trees drop branches?
Eucalypts can shed limbs, especially in heat and after rain. It's a natural survival trait, but it makes large gums near houses and driveways worth monitoring and deadwooding regularly.