Boards in Auckland may be asked to list more trees they want protected, that may not be covered by new rules.
Changes to the Resource Management Act mean general tree protection rules must be removed from district plans, and protection in urban areas will be limited to listed trees.
There are currently 3690 trees listed.
Unitary plan and urban design forum chairman Cameron Brewer says Auckland Council is scrambling to make sure the trees it wants preserved, are on district plans.
But he warns the process of arborists going across the region to assess the significance of trees will cost money.
