AQF Level 5 arborists. Reports written to each council’s rules, work done properly.
Arborist Sydney: AQF Level 5 Consulting Arborists
Consulting and practising arborists based in Mortdale: council reports, health and risk assessments, Project Arborist roles, and the removals and pruning that follow. $20M public liability, fixed prices, honest advice first.
★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviewsAQF Level 5 arboristsISO 9001 certified$20M public liability
What an AQF Level 5 arborist is qualified to do
An AQF Level 5 arborist is qualified to assess a tree, write the report a council or a court relies on, and decide how it should be pruned, protected or removed. True Roots is owned and run by one. That is why our reports get approved, our pruning does not need redoing and our removals do not end in a fine.
Anyone can call themselves a tree lopper. “Arborist” should mean something specific: a Certificate III (AQF Level 3) for the climbers and crew doing the practical work, and a Diploma of Arboriculture (AQF Level 5) for the person assessing the tree, writing the report and signing off as Project Arborist on a development consent. Many Sydney councils ask for an AQF Level 5 arborist when a report is required, and development consents often name the qualification. The rules differ by council: Sutherland Shire, for example, accepts AQF Level 4 with TRAQ (the international tree risk assessment qualification), from an arborist independent of the tree contractor. Our arborist reports page sets out what each council asks for.
James, who owns True Roots, holds the Diploma of Arboriculture (AHC50524) through TAFE NSW, is a registered consulting and practising member of Arboriculture Australia and a member of the International Society of Arboriculture, and has close to 15 years on the tools. He looks at most jobs himself. The crew work to AS 4373 for pruning and AS 4970 for tree protection, and the same company that writes the report does the work — so the recommendation in the report is one we are prepared to carry out.
Arborist services we provide
Arborist reports for council
Tree removal and pruning applications, DA and CDC submissions, replacement planting schedules. Written to the council’s own template so they are not sent back. $1,500–$2,000 ex GST. See AQF Level 5 arborist reports Sydney.
Tree health and risk assessment
Is the tree safe to keep? Visual tree assessment, decay and defect inspection, risk rating and a plain-English recommendation. See tree health assessment.
Project Arborist and AS 4970
Tree protection plans, root mapping, protection-zone inspections and certification letters through a build. Root-mapping assessments are quoted as two site days plus the report. See tree protection zones.
Removals done by the arborist
Sectional dismantles, cranes and rigging over houses and pools, planned by the person who assessed the tree. See tree removal.
Pruning to the standard
Crown reductions, thinning, deadwood and clearance cuts to AS 4373 — specified so councils approve them and the tree recovers. See tree pruning.
Roots, neighbours and disputes
Root investigations for cracked slabs and pipes, root barriers, and reports for neighbour disputes and insurance claims. See managing tree roots.
Our arborists at work
Photos from our own jobs. No stock images.
How it works
1. Send photos
The tree, the trunk, what it is near and your suburb. We tell you the same day whether you need a report, a permit, or just a crew.
2. Site assessment
A Level 5 arborist inspects the tree, the site and the council controls that apply. You get straight advice on what will be approved.
3. Report or quote
A report written to the council’s template within days, or one fixed price for the work with the days stated.
4. Lodged and done
We lodge the application, do the work when it is approved, plant the replacement if the consent asks for one, and hand you the completion documents.
What our customers say
Quoted from our public Google profile; … marks where a long review is shortened. Read all 71 reviews on Google.
“From the moment Jimmy arrived to quote the job, it was clear he’s passionate about trees and takes pride in his work. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and gave honest advice about what needed to be done—not just what would make the job bigger.”
“I recently hired True Roots to remove a large gum tree from my property … They handled the job safely, carefully navigating around surrounding structures, and made sure everything was done with minimal disruption to the area.”
“Jimmy and the two men working with him were professional, hard working and efficient with their time. They removed a large bougainvillea adjacent to the pool. … The cost was also very competitive.”
Arborist questions
What is the difference between AQF Level 3 and Level 5?
Level 3 (Certificate III) is the practical qualification for climbing and tree work. Level 5 (Diploma of Arboriculture) is the consulting qualification for assessing trees and writing reports. Many councils ask for Level 5 when a report is required, and development consents often name it for the Project Arborist. True Roots has both on staff, and the owner holds Level 5.
How much does an arborist report cost in Sydney?
Our reports are $1,500–$2,000 depending on the number of trees and the council’s requirements. AS 4970 assessments with root mapping are quoted as two site days plus the report. We tell you before you commit whether a report is likely to get the outcome you want.
Will you write a report saying the tree should go if it should stay?
No. The report says what the tree needs. If that is a reduction rather than a removal, that is what we recommend — because a report that matches the tree is the one a council can rely on.
Can the same company write the report and do the work?
Yes in most council areas, and it usually works better: the recommendation is written by someone who will have to carry it out, and the crew arrives knowing exactly what was approved. The exception is Sutherland Shire, where Council requires the report to come from an independent consulting arborist with no link to the contractor doing the work.
How to check an arborist is qualified
Anyone can call themselves an arborist. These are the things worth asking for, and what we send you.
| Ask for | Why it matters | True Roots |
|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 5 for assessments and reports | The Diploma of Arboriculture covers tree assessment and consulting | Diploma of Arboriculture (AHC50524), TAFE NSW, 2024 |
| Certificates of currency | Proof the public liability and workers compensation cover is current | $20M public liability and icare workers compensation, sent with every quote |
| A professional body | Members are bound by the body’s standards | Arboriculture Australia Registered Consulting and Practising Member (2026); ISA member |
| The standards they work to | Pruning and tree protection have Australian Standards | AS 4373 for pruning, AS 4970 for trees on building sites |
| Reviews from real jobs | Shows how they treat people and property | 5.0 on Google from 71 reviews |
For the crew doing the climbing and cutting, the City of Parramatta recommends an AQF Level 3 qualified arborist. Its guide to selecting a tree contractor also covers insurance and safety gear.
Arborists near you, across Sydney
True Roots is run by an AQF Level 5 consulting arborist and based in Mortdale. The same arborist who assesses your tree plans the work and signs off the paperwork, whether the job is a council report, a risk assessment or a removal. Find your area:
More arborist questions
How do I check an arborist is properly qualified?
Ask for their AQF level (Level 3 for climbing and tree work, Level 5 for reports and consulting), a current certificate of currency for public liability insurance, and whether they belong to a professional body such as Arboriculture Australia. We send our insurance certificates of currency with every quote.
Do you give free estimates?
Yes, quotes for tree removal, pruning and stump grinding are free, and most can be done from photos. Arborist reports are a paid, written assessment: $1,500 to $2,000 depending on the number of trees and what the council asks for.
What our clients say
Real reviews from Sydney clients, quoted from our Google profile. Long reviews are shortened; tap Read more for the full review on Google.
Reviews …Really great service, professional, safe and accommodating. Difficulties of access easily overcome, good people to deal withRead more
David G.October 2026Jimmy and the guys were excellent at their job—very fast and very tidy. I highly recommend them, and I certainly wouldn't hesitate to use them again in the future. "True Roots" are the best.
Nomikos R.October 2026Removed 4 bunches of palm nuts and tidied everything up. Great job.
Matthew K.October 2026Jimmy and his crew were fast, efficient and professional! He was so helpful in removing a tree in our yard that was a safety hazard. I highly recommend True Roots and would not hesitate to use them again if needed.
Liz B.June 2026Jimmy and his team were excellent. Fast, reliable, well-priced and impressive work. Great to see such a good, local tree removal business and arborist in Mortdale and operating in the St George area. You will not be disappointed using these guys.
Jamie D.April 2026Great service! I liked how they cleaned up after they chopped down our tree. Efficient and very competitive pricing. I would happily book them again in the future.
Celia L.April 2026Jimmy and the two men working with him were professional, hard working and efficient with their time. They removed a large bougainvillea adjacent to the pool. I was very impressed with how well they did this, especially given how thorny it…Read more
Jan B.March 2026I recently hired True Roots to remove a large gum tree from my property, and I couldn’t be more impressed with their service. From the initial consultation to the final clean-up, the team of arborists were professional, efficient, and…Read more
Joseph2025Jimmy was amazing; right from the beginning, he was informative, professional and willing to work within our budget. We could not be happier with what he has delivered for us. We removed all our side trees and replaced them with hedges and…Read more
JJ2025Highly recommend the Team from True Roots, the boys came in and removed a Black Butt that was overhanging our house. Very competitive pricing and managed to squeeze us in. The stump was ground back and all waste was removed. Very professional and skilled workers. Will definitely use them again in the future.
Ben G.2024Highly recommend! James and the boys did an amazing job cutting down a large tree in my yard. Super professional, efficient, and left everything clean and tidy. Great service, and I’m really happy with the results. Will definitely call again for any future tree work! Thanks Andrew
Andrew M.2024Qualified, insured and accountable
- AQF Level 5 arboristDiploma of Arboriculture (AHC50524), TAFE NSW, 2024. About 15 years in arboriculture.
- ISO 9001 certifiedQuality management system certified to ISO 9001.
- $20M public liabilityPlus icare workers compensation. Certificates of currency sent with every quote.
- Australian StandardsTree pruning and trimming to AS 4373, tree protection on building sites to AS 4970.
- Indigenous-ownedOwned and operated by an Indigenous director. Registered NSW Government supplier on buy.nsw.
- 5.0 on Google71 reviews, every one from a real job. Read them.
Need an arborist, not a lopper?
Send a photo of the tree and your suburb. A Level 5 arborist tells you what it needs and what it will cost.
Get a free quote
Tell us what you need done and we will call you back to arrange a look. Every job is assessed individually - no two trees are the same.
Urgent or unsafe tree? Call 0422 023 242 - we answer 24 hours.