Selecting the right tree
If you’re looking to plant trees or shrubs on your property, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure they thrive and don’t damage any sewer pipes underground.
What kind of waterwise trees can I plant?
Depending on where you’re planting, not all trees and shrubs are suitable for your verge or garden. Use our handy waterwise tree lists below, to select the right trees or shrubs that will suit your area and the amount of maintenance you’re prepared to undertake. For example, deciduous trees require more work to collect leaves when they fall to keep them out of stormwater drains.
Once established, waterwise trees only need to be watered once or twice a week and have a low to moderate risk of root invasiveness to below ground assets, such as sewer pipes. Many of these trees will flourish over the summer months with minimal watering.
Where can I plant waterwise trees?
Ensuring you choose the right tree for its location, will prevent tree roots from getting in the way and causing problems. Our waterwise tree list includes trees and shrubs suitable for verges and urban gardens.
The verge is the area between the edge of the road and the boundary of a property. Vital services and public infrastructure (such as water, electrical, gas and telecommunication pipes) may be located within a verge, or at the back of a private property. Please be cautious when planting trees, as you may be liable for any damage to underground assets.
Prior to planting any tree on your property you must contact Dial Before You Dig to check the location of assets to ensure they won't be damaged or interfered with.
To protect these assets, all verge trees must be planted (as stated in the Utilities Providers Code of Practice Guide):
- 2.7 metres from the property boundary line and
- a minimum of 0.5 meters from water assets (such as pipes)
What happens if I don't select the right tree?
Trees and shrubs are an important part of our built environment, however if they’re not carefully chosen, they may cause problems below ground.
The roots of some trees and shrubs can damage sewer pipes and underground services. Trees and shrubs rely on their roots to find moisture and nutrients. Your property’s sewer pipes can be an attractive moisture source.
A small hairline fracture in a pipe is all a root needs to get in. Once inside the pipe the root can grow quickly, causing a reduction in flow and potentially a complete blockage. Often complete sections of pipe need to be replaced which can be expensive. Homes over 15 years old are particularly at risk as they are less likely to have PVC sewerage pipes, which aren’t as prone to leakage and tree root damage.
Waterwise tree lists
The following lists are intended as a guide to assist you with selecting the right trees or shrubs for your verge or garden. Each tree has been scored on its water rating and level of root invasiveness by specialist tree consultants.
Water rating
- 1 drop – once established requires watering once a week
- 2 drop – once established requires watering twice a week
Root invasiveness
- Low - the species doesn’t display vigorous root development and is not commonly associated with damage to pipes.
- Moderate - the species may cause some damage to pipes. Tree species are more likely to originate in more temperate climates than the Perth region, and have a higher requirement for water.
- High - these species have vigorous root development. Trees within this category are generally not recommended for planting near pipes and may be included within a list of trees considered unsuitable for verge or urban garden planting.
| Tree size | Waterwise drop rating | Root invasiveness | Common name | Botanical name | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Bell Fruited Mallee | Eucalyptus preissiana | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Bull Banksia | Banksia grandis |
WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Low | Chinese Pistachio | Pistacia chinensis | Exotic |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Moderate | Chinese Tallow | Triadica sebifera | Exotic |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Moderate | Coast Banksia | Banksia integrifolia | Aust. native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Coastal Moort | Eucalyptus utilis | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Coral Gum | Eucalyptus torquata | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Moderate | Cottonwood Hibiscus | Hibiscus tileaceus | Aust. native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Moderate | Dawson River Weeper | Callistemon ‘Dawson River’ | Aust. native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Dwarf Yellow Bloodwood | Corymbia eximia 'Nana' | Aust. native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Euky Dwarf | Eucalyptus leucoxylon sub species 'Euky Dwarf | Aust. native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Low | Evergreen Ash | Fraxinus griffithii | Exotic |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Firewood Banksia | Banksia menziesii | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Fremantle Mallee | Eucalyptus foecunda | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Fuchsia Mallee | Eucalyptus forrestiana | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Low | Golden Shower tree | Cassia fistula | Exotic |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Holly Leaved Banksia | Banksia ilicifolia | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Hybrid Coral Gum | Eucalyptus 'Torwood' | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Moderate | Kings Park Special | Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’ | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Large Fruited Mallee | Eucalyptus youngiana | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Low | Manchurian Pear | Pyrus ussuriensis | Exotic |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Mottlecah | Eucalyptus macrocarpa | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Moderate | NZ Christmas Bush | Metrosideros thomasii | Exotic |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Moderate | Olive | Olea europa | Exotic |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Orange Banksia | Banksia prionotes | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Low | Ornamental Pears | Pyrus calleryana varieties | Exotic |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Low | Ornamental Plum | Prunus blireana varieties | Exotic |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Pin-Cushion Hakea | Hakea laurina | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Low | Purple Leafed Ornamental Plum | Prunus cerasifera varieties | Exotic |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Red Flowered Mallee | Eucalyptus erythronema | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Redheart Moit | Eucalyptus decipiens | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | River Yate | Eucalyptus macrandra | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | SA Yellow Gum | Eucalyptus leucoxylon sub species megalocarpa | Aust. native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Silver Mallee | Eucalyptus crucis | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Moderate | Snow-in-Summer | Melaleuca linariifolia | Aust. native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Strickland's Gum | Eucalyptus stricklandii | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Low | Swamp Banksia | Banksia littoralis | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Moderate | Swamp Paperbark | Melaleuca rhaphiophylla | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Tallerack | Eucalyptus pleurocarpa | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Moderate | Water Gum | Tristaniopsis laurina | Aust. native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Webster's Mallee | Eucalyptus websteriana | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 1 | Low | Western Coolabah | Eucalyptus victrix | WA native |
| Small (4-8m) | 2 | Moderate | Western Tea Myrtle | Melaleuca nesophila | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Low | Argyle Apple | Eucalyptus cinerea | Aust. native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | ow | Bald Island Marlock | Eucalyptus conferruminata | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Low | Butterfly Tree / Orchid tree | Bauhinia sp. | Exotic |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Low | Carob | Ceratonia siliqua | Exotic |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Low | Coastal Blackbutt | Eucalyptus todtiana | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Low | Darling Range Ghost Gum | Eucalyptus laeliae | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | Irish Strawberry tree | Arbutus unedo | Exotic |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | Jacaranda | Jacaranda mimosifolia | Exotic |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | Japanese Elm | Zelkova serrata 'Green Vase' | Exotic |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Low | Kurrajong | Brachychiton populneus | Aust. native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Low | Lacebark Kurrajong | Brachychiton discolour | Aust. native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | Macadamia | Macadamia integrifolia | Exotic |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | NZ Christmas tree | Metrosideros excelsa | Exotic |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | Oriental Pane tree | Platanus orientalis | Exotic |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Low | Port Lincoln Gum | Eucalyptus lansdowneana | Aust. native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Low | Red Flowering Broadleaved Paperbark | Melaleuca viridiflora | Aust. native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Low | Red Flowering Gum | Corymbia ficifolia | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Low | Rottnest Island Cypress | Callitris preissii | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Moderate | Rottnest Island Tea-Tree | Melaleuca lanceolata | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Low | Rough Barked Apple Gum | Angophora floribunda | Aust. native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Low | Salmon White Gum | Eucalyptus lane-poolei | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | Saltwater Paperbark | Melaleuca cuticularis | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Moderate | Stout Paperbark | Melaleuca preissiana | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | Swamp Mallet | Eucalyptus spathulata | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Moderate | Swamp Sheoak | Casuarina obesa | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Moderate | Tuckeroo | Cupaniopsis anacardioides | Aust. native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | Weeping bottlebrush | Callistemon viminallis | Aust. native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | Weeping Broadleaved Paperbark | Melaleuca leucadendra | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Moderate | Wild Plum/ Kaffir Plum | Harpephyllum caffrum | Exotic |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Moderate | Wilga/ Australian Willow | Geijera parviflora | WA native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Moderate | Willow Bottlebrush | Callistemon salignus | Aust. native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Moderate | Yellow Gum | Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Rosea' | Aust. native |
| Tree size | Water drop rating | Root invasiveness | Common name | Botanical name | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium (8-16m) | 1 | Moderate | Dwarf Sugar Gum | Eucalyptus cladocalyx ‘Nana’ | Aust. native |
| Medium (8-16m) | 2 | Moderate | Poinciana (Royal) | Delonix regia | Exotic |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Blackbutt | Eucalyptus patens | WA native |
| Large (16m+) | 2 | Moderate | IIlawarra Plum | Podocarpus elatus | Aust. native |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Iron Bark | Eucalyptus sideroxylon | Aust. native |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Jarrah | Eucalyptus marginata | WA native |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Marri | Corymbia calophylla | WA native |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Pepper Corn tree | Schinus molle | Exotic |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Power-bark Wandoo | Eucalyptus accedens | WA native |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Red Box | Eucalyptus polyanthemos | Aust. native |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Sydney Red Gum | Angophora costata | Aust. native |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Tuart | Eucalyptus gomphocephala | WA native |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | WA Weeping Peppermint | Agonis flexuosa | WA native |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Wandoo | Eucalyptus wandoo | WA native |
| Large (16m+) | 1 | Moderate | Yellow Bloodwood | Corymbia eximia | Aust. native |
| Common Name | Botanical name |
|---|---|
| American Sweetgum | Liquidambar styraciflua |
| Box Elder | Acer negundo |
| Broadleaved Paperbark | Melaleuca quinquenervia |
| Cook Pine | Araucaria columnaris |
| Coral tree | Erythrina x sykesii |
| Cypress Pine | Cupressus species |
| Gleditsia | Gleditsia triacanthos |
| Lemon-scented Gum | Corymbia citriodora |
| London Plane tree | Platanus x acerifolius |
| Moreton Bay Fig | Ficus macrophylla |
| Norfolk Island Hibiscus | Lagunaria patersonia |
| Norfolk Island Pine | Araucaria heterophylla |
| Northern River Red Gum | Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. obtusa |
| Port Jackson fig | Ficus rubiginosa |
| Queensland Box | Lophostemon confertus |
| River Sheoak | Casuarina cunninghamiana |
| Robinia | Robinia pseudoacacia |
| Rosewood | Tipuana tipu |
| Rubber tree | Ficus elastica |
| Small Leaf tree | Ficus microcarpa |
| Spotted Gum | Corymbia maculata |
Advice for local governments
Verges serve as a corridor for utilities with a number of water, electrical, gas and telecommunication pipes located underground within them. All trees must be planted in accordance with the Utilities Providers Code of Practice Guide, which states that trees must be planted 2.7m from the property boundary line and minimum of 0.5m from water assets.
For local governments planting medium and large street trees, please contact us regarding to your annual tree planting plans to ensure the longevity of the tree and to minimise the possibility of interruption to local residents’ water supplies. Any damage to, or interference with, a Water Corporation underground asset may result in Water Corporation imposing fines or seeking damages for any repair.
Download our Selecting the Right Tree information sheet.