As reported on 1 October 2025, tree advocates and election candidates called on the City of Melville to increase penalties for damaging or removing verge trees. The reported penalties were a $500 infringement and a court penalty of up to $5,000, but the City’s current tree guidance does not state dollar amounts. Residents need City approval before pruning or removing a verge tree; the City provides an online request route for maintenance and removal.
What penalties were reported, and what is confirmed now?
A World Web Newspapers report dated 1 October 2025 said the existing penalties included a $500 infringement and a possible Magistrates Court penalty of up to $5,000. It also said the City could seek compensation through a civil claim. The report’s page could not be opened directly, so its account should be treated as reporting, not an official council decision.
A City of Melville council agenda from 19 April 2022 describes those same enforcement options for tree damage caused by negligent action: a $500 infringement under the Activities in Thoroughfares, Public Places and Trading Local Law 2014; prosecution in the Magistrates Court, where a guilty person could receive a penalty of up to $5,000; and civil proceedings seeking the tree’s fair value as determined by the City. The agenda is a historical policy description, not confirmation that the amounts remain unchanged in the current consolidated local law. Read the 19 April 2022 council agenda.
The City’s current Trees and Our Urban Forest guidance says unauthorised pruning or removal may result in an infringement, and the person may be liable for costs associated with remediation or removing and replacing the tree. It gives no dollar figure. A civil claim for a tree’s value or costs is separate from an infringement or court penalty; it is not a fixed additional fine.
#1 Best Overall
- Sharp Mn Steel Blade for Fast & Clean Cuts: This pole saw uses a sharp three-sided edge with a double-sided barb design to grip branches securely and cut smoothly from multiple angles. The Mn steel blade is durable, rust-resistant, and lightweight, delivering fast, clean cuts. This is a manual pole saw with detachable pole sections for adjustable reach, not pruner, not a telescoping pole; it is neither electric nor battery-powered.
- Sturdy Steel Pole Reinforced for Secure Use: This tree branch cutter combines stainless steel poles and Mn steel blade, built for long-term use. The powder-coated finish prevents rust, and the anti-slip grip ensures stable control. An extra screw secures the saw head firmly to the pole, preventing loosening. Strong enough to prune higher branches without climbing ladders, it helps reduce risks and makes outdoor trimming safer and more reliable.
- Adjustable Length & Quick Assembly: This tree trimmer has three options: 8.5ft (6 sections), 11ft (8 sections), and 14.5ft (11 sections). Each stainless steel pole is rust-resistant with a matte finish for durability. The modular design lets you connect or remove sections quickly to adjust the length. Simple to assemble in a few steps, it adapts easily to close hand pruning or trimming tall trees, saving time and effort in your yard work.
- Safe High Reach Pruning Without Ladders: This lightweight manual cutting saw extends up to 14.5ft, letting you prune tall branches from the ground without ladders. It reduces fall risks and increases safety, while the anti-slip grip lowers fatigue. Easy for women and seniors to handle, it makes tall tree pruning, patio care, and yard maintenance more efficient. A reliable tool that combines safety and comfort for long-term outdoor use.
- Versatile Pruning Saw for Garden & Forestry: This extendable pruning saw works both handheld and extended for shrubs, hedges, and tall branches. Use it short for close trimming or fully extended for oaks, palms, pines, and firs. Perfect for yards, gardens, patios, and forestry tasks, it suits both home gardening and professional landscaping. With one tool for high and low pruning, it saves space while providing durable, versatile performance.
Why were stronger penalties proposed?
The October 2025 report said Esther Cole of Melville Tree Canopy Advocates wanted substantially higher fines. It also reported that a proposal to strengthen verge-tree protections had been put on hold by council in August. The available report does not establish the proposal’s exact wording or what happened to it afterward, so it should not be described as permanently rejected or adopted.
The same report compared Melville’s reported penalties with Canning, where the fine was said to have risen from $250 to $1,000. It attributed to Canning councillor Hardeep Singh the view that a $1,000 fine could mean little to people in multimillion-dollar homes. That comparison reflects the report’s account; it does not establish that a higher fine would deter offences or that Melville’s council has agreed to change its penalties.
Rank #2
- High Cutting Power for 6–7 Inch Branches with SK-5 Steel Blade——SK-5 steel blade with aggressive 7 TPI staggered teeth delivers strong cutting performance for green wood, branches, and general yard work, allowing efficient cutting of branches up to 6–7 inch diameter, making it highly effective for camping, survival, bushcraft, and landscaping tasks where fast and controlled wood cutting is required.
- Optimized Sharpness and Sawing Performance for Wood Cutting Tasks——Aggressive staggered tooth geometry combined with SK-5 steel construction provides effective cutting performance for green wood, branches, firewood, and outdoor materials, helping reduce cutting resistance and supporting efficient sawing in outdoor use scenarios.
- Lightweight Folding Design for Backpacking, Camping, and Survival Kits——Lightweight and compact folding structure makes this saw easy to carry in backpacks and survival bags, providing strong portability for camping, hiking, bushcraft, and emergency outdoor use, while maintaining full cutting capability without adding unnecessary weight.
- Reinforced Blade Structure for Improved Stability and Long-Term Use——Reinforced blade design improves structural stability during heavy cutting tasks, helping maintain consistent performance during repeated use in wood cutting applications, addressing common outdoor tool concerns such as blade tip stress during intensive branch cutting.
- Ergonomic Rubber-Coated Handle for Secure Grip and Outdoor Control——Ergonomic rubber-coated polymer handle provides a firm and stable grip in wet, cold, or dry conditions, improving safety and control during extended outdoor use, reducing hand fatigue and ensuring reliable handling in camping, survival, and landscaping environments.
Can you prune or remove a verge tree without approval?
No. The City says it is responsible for planting, pruning, replacing and maintaining verge trees, and residents cannot plant, prune or remove one without approval. Its guidance states: “It is an offence to purposefully vandalise or damage any trees on City-controlled land, including pruning or removing trees located on verges.” It says people who observe vandalism should contact the City.
Request pruning or maintenance
- Use the online request form linked from the City’s Trees and Our Urban Forest page.
- Describe the tree and the work or concern. The City says it aims to respond within five working days.
Request removal
The City says it will consider removal if a tree is unsafe, dead or in irreversible decline, damaged beyond remediation, or inappropriate for the site. Submit a request through the City’s tree guidance page rather than removing the tree yourself.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- 10” Long Pruning Saw: Fit for heavy work, powerful and strong enough, can cut through branches with 6” diameter with ease. Very efficient for various outdoor work as Camping pruning shrubs and trees, hiking, tree trimming garden work, landscaping etc.
- Sharp Blade: WEIMELTOY Large tree trimming Saw with SK5 material, flexible and durable, triple sharpen blade,been hardened for extra durability, can cut fast and accurate in all direction, (pull or push),not only fit for green wood also fit for dry wood. Can cut through wood,plastic easily.
- Soft Handle:Our Pruning folding hand saw with rubber soft handle, comfortable to grip even for a long time, non-slip, ensures a firm grip in any weather condition, save effort.
- Folding design: Folding Pruning Saw with rubber handle to cover the sharp blade, also have button to lock the blade in position firmly when open and closed. It also take much smaller room, easy to carry for outdoor work.
- Warm Service: Any question in using, just write to us any time. We will reply within 24 hours to serve for you.
Report damage during verge work
The City’s Verge Treatment Policy CP-086 says street trees are the City’s responsibility. It also says damage to an existing street tree or its root system during verge modification may make the adjoining property owner responsible for removal and replacement costs under the Tree Policy. The published policy PDF lists a last review date of 16 July 2024 and advises checking the website for the latest version.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the City says about its tree canopy
The City webpage accessed on 8 October 2026 displays a current canopy figure of 12.5% and a 15% goal, but gives two different target years: 2050 in one place and 2036 elsewhere. Treat those target dates as inconsistent webpage information rather than a single confirmed deadline; consult the City’s adopted strategy for the authoritative target.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- VERSATILE CUTTING TOOL – Professional pruning saw for tree trimming, branch cutting, and wood cutting. This folding hand saw works as a reliable tree saw, limb saw, garden saw, and curved pruning saw, making it an ideal tree trimming saw for camping, bushcraft, woodworking, and outdoor garden work.
- TRIPLE-CUT SK5 STEEL BLADE – Premium SK5 high-carbon steel blade with 7 TPI razor teeth delivers fast, aggressive cutting through branches, limbs, and dry or green wood.
- HEAVY DUTY CONSTRUCTION – Rugged folding design built for reliable performance during tree pruning, garden maintenance, camping, and bushcraft use.
- ERGONOMIC NON-SLIP HANDLE – Comfortable grip reduces hand fatigue and provides secure control while cutting branches, limbs, and firewood.
- COMPACT FOLDING DESIGN – Lightweight folding saw fits easily in a backpack or tool bag for camping, hiking, survival kits, and garden tools.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
