Tree removal

Good morning I am wondering if anyone here can help me with my enquire. I live in the Yarra Ranges and have been approach my neighbour who is wanting to sub divide her block and add 2x 2bedroom two story townhouses and a single story 3 bedroom home. She is also going to leave her family home on the block so 4 dwelling in all. The problem for her is that a have 2 very large lemon gum trees that are over 50 years old with very extensive tree roots that are proving to be a problem for her planned development. She has offered to pay for the removal of my trees. The question that I have is IF I agree to the removal would I be able to ask for compensation for the loss of my trees. They currently provide some privacy for me. Hope some advice here can help me decide which way to go. Many thanks

What is the council's policy re significant native tree removal?

I have checked with the council and the trees can be removed

How far away from your house are these trees? If they are within the tree root zone then your home might be at risk of damage from the trees as well. You could ask her to plant some mutually beneficial trees along the boundary to maintain your privacy, maybe share the costs?

Stewie

The trees are down my driveway a long distance from my house. She is planning to take up all the land with houses so not trees will be replaced

I'd make it a condition of your consent ( if you agree to removing your trees ) that she pays for some trees or shrubs to be planted on your side of the fence then. There are some species that can grow tall and not too bushy so that you will retain your privacy without them impacting your place too much. If there were trees there, on whose side of the fence would the majority of their shade fall?

Stewie

Her side gets most of the shade from the existing trees

Then go for it but choose the trees you want carefully - I'd say to a max of 5m high and get something in writing.

Stewie

Thank you so much for responding to me Your advise helps 😊

Good luck.

Stewie

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Yes I thought that might be the case. She hasn’t lodged any plans yet so,thinks that I will remove the trees.

How tall are the existing trees? They can get to 40-50m high and if one of those comes down in a storm it would flatten anything including whats on your property.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corymbia_citriodora
We have a small lemon scented tee tree up against our side boundary that has been pruned to 4m high. It is a very attractive tree and the leaves when crushed do smell very lemon like. Some councils will let you remove one big tree if you replace it with several smaller ones of the same species.

Stewie