Living in a leafy suburb is highly desirable to a lot of folks. After all, living close to nature has a calming effect and has been shown to be an antidote to modern stress. In addition, trees are beautiful to look at, they provide shade, they display seasonal changes, and are often teeming with birds and wildlife. All this is true for most of the year until we get to bushfire season. This is the time of year when you might ask yourself, ‘Are my trees a fire hazard?’. The answer is – maybe. However, if they are properly managed, trees needn’t be a threat. So, read on to find out how.
When Are Trees a Fire Hazard?
People that live in bushfire prone suburbs have to follow certain council laws and rules to prevent their trees from becoming a fire hazard. For instance, these rules may limit the number and type of tree that can be grown on a property. Moreover, some trees don’t represent a threat on their own. However, they may become a danger if a group are grown together. Also, it’s worth noting that eucalyptus trees are the most common source of bushfires. Indeed, that fragrant eucalyptus oil is highly flammable plus they tend to shed a dense carpet of leaves and branches. This can create a volatile fuel load. Essentially, it’s this fuel load that’s the real concern.
10/50 Vegetation Clearing
The NSW Rural Fire Service website states that:
“The 10/50 scheme allows people in a designated area to: Clear trees on their property within 10 metres of a home, without seeking approval. And clear underlying vegetation such as shrubs (but not trees) on their property within 50 metres of a home, without seeking approval”.
You can check if you live in a 10/50 vegetation clearing entitlement area by going here.