Tree Removal Learmonth
Learmonth sits on the northern shore of Lake Learmonth, surrounded by old volcanic hills and rich red soil. Its most notable trees are the oaks and elms of its WWI Avenue of Honour on the Sunraysia Highway. Between the avenue, the lake reserves and the farmland around town, a lot of tree questions in Learmonth come down to whose tree it is and what the rules allow.
This page from Tree Removal Ballarat covers the avenue, the elms, and the rules for lake and farm land.
The Learmonth Avenue of Honour
The Learmonth Avenue of Honour was planted to commemorate the First World War. It has 222 trees: English oaks and English, Dutch, Scotch and purple elms. It runs along the Sunraysia Highway near Ryans Road, south of the township. The memorial wall at the avenue lists 234 district soldiers who served in World War One, and was unveiled by Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop in 1993.
If your property fronts the avenue, the trees aren’t yours to prune, even where branches reach over a fence or driveway. Report problems to the City of Ballarat. Plan any works near the trees, such as new driveways, fences or services, with council first.
Elms in and around Learmonth
With so many elms in the avenue, elms in Learmonth gardens are worth understanding:
- Elm leaf beetle. Most of Ballarat’s elms carry the beetle. Lacy, browning leaves in summer are the sign. A beetle-hit elm usually recovers, so assess it before pruning hard or removing it. See our arborist page.
- Suckering. Elms often send up suckers from the roots after removal. Grinding the stump doesn’t stop them straight away. See stump removal.
The lake and the farmland
Lake Learmonth started as a natural waterhole and swamp, and was built up in the late 1800s into the lake there today. It’s ringed by volcanic hills on its northern, western and southern sides, with shoreline reserves. Trees on those reserves are public land. Don’t clear or prune into them from a neighbouring property.
On rural blocks around town, the volcanic country means native vegetation can include grasses as well as trees, and removing it generally needs a permit unless an exemption applies. For clearing around an existing home, the 10/30 or 10/50 bushfire rules may help. See land clearing.
- work out whether the tree is yours, or on the avenue, a roadside or the lake reserve
- check your address on VicPlan for overlays
- for native trees on rural land, check with the City of Ballarat about permits
- for elms, think about suckers before deciding to remove one
Nearby areas
We also cover Miners Rest to the south-east and Waubra further up the Sunraysia Highway.
Common questions
An avenue elm is dropping branches over my fence. What do I do?
Report it to the City of Ballarat. Avenue trees are council-managed and commemorative, so don’t prune them yourself.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my Learmonth property?
It depends on the tree and the land. Native vegetation, overlays and the Exceptional Tree Register can all apply. VicPlan shows the overlays on your address.
I removed an elm and now there are shoots coming up in the lawn. Why?
Elms sucker from their roots. Keep mowing or cutting the suckers at ground level. They’ll slow down as the roots run out of energy.
What should I send for a quote?
Photos of the tree, a rough height, what’s nearby (the house, sheds, fences, power lines), access for equipment, and whether you’re in town or on a rural block.
Get a quote in Learmonth
Send photos and your address through the form, or call to talk it through.