How to Measure a Tree for a Frankston City Council Permit
Quick Answer
If you live in the Frankston City Council area (which includes Seaford, Frankston, and surrounding suburbs), you usually need a council permit to remove or trim a tree if its trunk circumference is wider than 110 centimeters. You can check this by measuring the trunk at its base or at 1.5 meters above the ground. If your tree splits into more than one trunk (which is called bifurcation), you have to measure each trunk and add those numbers together. Knowing how to measure your tree correctly is the best way to keep your property safe and avoid big council fines!
ImpactRemoving a protected tree without permission can lead to high fines from the council and safety issues from weak trees.
SolutionKnowing exactly whether you need a permit, allowing you to proceed safely and legally with your tree care.
OutcomeA simple, step-by-step measurement of the tree's trunk at the base and at 1.5 meters high, combining measurements if the tree splits.
Important Notice
The tips and guidelines in our Learning Hub are the professional opinions of our friendly, qualified team at the time of writing. Council rules, environmental overlays, and local laws can vary a lot depending on where you live in Victoria, and councils can update their policies. We always recommend double-checking with the Frankston City Council or chatting with a professional arborist before starting any major tree works on your property.
Press Play To Watch
In this quick video, Quinton from Cut It Right Tree Service stands on-site in Seaford to show you exactly how to measure a multi-trunked tree and explains Frankston City Council's rules in simple terms.
A Simple Guide to Frankston Council's Tree Rules
Caring for the trees on your property in Seaford, Frankston, or Langwarrin is a great way to help our local environment. Because trees are so important for local wildlife and the beauty of our neighborhoods, the Frankston City Council has rules about when they can be cut down or heavily pruned.
The first step to finding out if your tree is protected is measuring its circumference (the distance around the trunk).
The 110cm Rule
Under local council rules, you generally need a permit if:
Your tree has a trunk circumference of more than 110 centimeters (measured at the base or at 1.5 meters off the ground).
If your tree is larger than this, you will need to get council approval before removing or trimming it.
Step-by-Step: How to Measure Your Tree Accurately
Measuring a tree is a fun and easy activity! Grab a family member to help you hold the tape, and follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Get Your Measuring Tool
Use a soft, flexible tape measure (like the ones used for sewing). If you only have a stiff metal tape measure, wrap a piece of string or ribbon around the tree trunk instead, mark where it meets, and then measure that piece of string against your metal tape.
Step 2: Check for Split Trunks
Look at the trunk from the ground up to a height of 1.5 meters (about eye level for a teenager).
Single Trunk: If it's one solid trunk, wrap your tape around it at 1.5 meters high.
Split Trunk (Bifurcated): If the trunk forks into two or more stems before it reaches 1.5 meters high, you will need to measure each stem individually.
Step 3: Do the Quick Math for Split Trunks
If your tree has split trunks below 1.5 meters, add the measurements together: $$\text{Total Circumference} = \text{Trunk A} + \text{Trunk B} + \text{Trunk C} + \dots$$ Example: Let's say your tree splits into three trunks. You measure each one at 1.5 meters high and get 20cm, 20cm, and 80cm. Adding them up: $20 + 20 + 80 = \mathbf{120\text{cm}}$. Because 120cm is larger than the 110cm council limit, this tree would require a permit for removal.
Step 4: What if it Splits Higher Up?
If the tree has a single solid trunk near the ground but splits into branches higher than 1.5 meters, count it as a single trunk and measure the circumference near the base.
Structural Hazards: Spotting Weak Trees
In our Seaford video, Quinton shows us a tree that splits into multiple trunks higher up. While it is technically counted as a single trunk at the base for permit rules, Quinton points out a common tree problem: a poor union.
When multiple trunks grow very close together in a tight "V" shape (instead of a wide, strong "U" shape), bark gets pinched between them. This prevents the wood from bonding together properly.
The Danger: Trees with tight V-shaped splits have a high chance of splitting right down the middle during strong coastal winds or storms.
The Fix: If you see a crack or a weak split on your tree, a certified arborist can help! Depending on how healthy the tree is, we can install a Tree Bracing and Cabling system (which acts like a seatbelt to hold the tree together safely) or recommend Tree Removal if the tree is too dangerous to keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I cut down a tree without a permit in Frankston?
Frankston City Council has local laws to protect trees and green spaces. Cutting down, damaging, or heavily trimming a protected tree without an approved permit is against the law. This can result in large fines for both the homeowner and the tree contractor. It is always best to measure your tree first or ask a professional to check for you.
What does "bifurcate" mean, and how do I measure a split tree?
"Bifurcate" is just a professional word for "splits into two or more parts"—like a fork in the road! If your tree splits into multiple trunks below or at 1.5 meters from the ground, you need to measure the circumference of each individual trunk at 1.5 meters high and add those numbers together. If the final number is over 110 centimeters, you will need a permit. If the tree splits higher than 1.5 meters, you only need to measure the main trunk near the ground.
Does the council protect every single tree?
No, some tree species (like declared environmental weeds) do not require a permit. However, many neighborhoods in Frankston, Seaford, and Langwarrin have special rules called Significant Landscape Overlays (SLO) or Vegetation Protection Overlays (VPO). These overlays are designed to protect local native trees and plants, and they can cover trees of any size—even small ones! You can check your property's overlays directly on the Victorian Planning Portal.
An Arborist Report is a professional health and safety checkup for a tree, written by a qualified tree expert (an Arborist). If you apply to the council for a permit to remove a tree, they will usually ask for this report. It explains to the council why the tree might need to be removed (for example, if it is sick, dangerous, or damaging a house) so they can make a fair decision.
What is the difference between circumference and diameter?
Circumference is the distance all the way around the outside of the trunk (like wrapping a tape measure around your waist). Frankston Council uses this measurement! Diameter is the width straight through the middle of the trunk from one side to the other. An easy rule of thumb: A 110cm circumference is roughly equal to a 35cm diameter.
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