Is your property ready for Melbourne's summer storms?

Summer storms can bring strong winds and heavy rain. The useful question isn't whether every tree is dangerous. It's whether you have noticed concerns worth assessing before weather or holiday schedules make organising work more difficult.

A useful first step is to walk around the areas you normally use and record what you can see from a safe position. You do not need to diagnose a tree or decide how it should be cut.

What should you look for?

Note branches contacting a roof or building, growth obstructing a driveway or path, broken or hanging limbs, or changes you've noticed in a tree's position. Look at where people walk and vehicles park, and whether neighbouring buildings or shared access are nearby.

These observations are not proof that a tree is unsafe. Do not climb, pull on damaged branches or enter an unstable area to take photographs.

Send the right information

If it is safe, photograph the whole tree, the specific area of concern and the usual access route. Include the property suburb, number of trees, nearby structures, gates, slopes and any overhead services. Explain what you want to achieve, such as better clearance over a driveway or an assessment of a damaged branch.

A photograph of one branch without the wider property context is often less useful than a simple wide shot.

Pruning, lopping or removal?

Planned clearance may be different from work on a damaged tree or a concern about the whole tree. GDE can review your enquiry and discuss whether an on-site assessment is required.

For planned branch work, see tree lopping. For urgent tree-work information, see 24 7 emergency tree removal.

What if there is immediate danger?

Keep people clear of unstable or fallen material. Do not touch trees or branches near powerlines. Contact the relevant electricity distributor where electrical infrastructure is involved, and the appropriate emergency service if there is immediate danger. A routine tree-service enquiry is not an emergency response.

Plan your quote enquiry

Send your safe photographs, suburb, access details and preferred timeframe through contact us. Enquiring early allows time to discuss the scope. Any attendance or completion date must be confirmed by GDE.