Tree removal & arborist FAQs Sydney — council approval, costs, services & True Roots

Usually, yes. Most Sydney councils protect trees over a certain height or trunk size under a Tree Preservation Order or their Development Control Plan — even on private property. Our AQF Level 5 arborists check whether your tree is protected and prepare the arborist report the council needs, so your removal is approved properly.

Thresholds vary by council. Across our main areas — Georges River (St George), Sutherland Shire and Canterbury-Bankstown — approval is generally needed once a tree passes a set height or trunk diameter, with some species exempt. We know each council’s rules and tell you exactly where your tree stands before any work.

Often there’s an exemption for genuinely dead or dangerous trees — but most councils still want evidence (photos and/or an arborist report), and the exemption has limits. We assess it, document it correctly, and make the call safely so you’re never exposed to a fine.

In designated bushfire-prone areas, the NSW 10/50 rule lets you clear trees within 10 metres of your home and underlying vegetation within 50 metres without council approval — within limits. We check whether your property qualifies and clear strictly within the rule. See our 10/50 guide.

Yes. We prepare council-ready arborist reports, impact assessments and tree protection plans, and can lodge or support your application — so you don’t have to navigate the council process alone.

It depends on the council and the application, but tree-work approvals commonly take around 10–20 business days. For dead or dangerous trees we can often act much faster under the relevant exemption.

Significant — fines can run into the thousands of dollars per tree, plus possible orders to replant. It’s never worth the risk, which is why we confirm a tree’s status and document everything before we start.

Generally you can prune branches back to the boundary at your own cost, but you can’t damage or remove the tree itself without the owner’s consent — and council rules still apply. We’ll advise the right approach and can prepare a report if it’s a dispute or a genuinely dangerous tree.

We assess and give you a fixed quote, sort any council approval or report needed, schedule the work, carry it out safely with the right crew and gear, then clean up and remove the waste — leaving your site tidy.

Anywhere from an hour for a small tree to a full day for large, complex removals near structures or power. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe with your quote.

Not necessarily — for many quotes we can work from photos or access the tree from the yard, and for the job we just need safe access. We’ll confirm what’s needed when you book.

We chip and recycle green waste wherever we can and remove the rest, leaving your property clean. If you’d like to keep mulch or firewood on site, just ask.

Yes — we grind stumps below ground level so you can re-turf, replant or build over the area, with no trip hazard or regrowth. Depth depends on what you’re doing with the space.

Lopping is indiscriminate cutting that can leave a tree weak, unsightly and more dangerous long-term. Proper pruning follows Australian Standards to keep the tree healthy, safe and well-shaped. We prune the right way.

Yes — we use climbing, rigging and the right machinery to remove and prune trees safely on tight, sloping or hard-to-reach blocks, protecting your property as we go.

Tree removal, pruning, stump grinding, palm work, arborist reports, 24/7 emergency tree work, land clearing, vegetation management, hedging and full landscape construction — tree work, site preparation and the finished landscape from one accountable team.

Yes — call 0422 023 242 any time for storm-damaged, fallen or dangerous trees and we’ll make the site safe fast. See emergency tree removal.

Not every problem tree needs to go. Our arborists assess health, structure and risk — often a tree can be pruned, cabled or treated instead of removed. We’ll give you the honest call, not the most expensive one.

Yes — we’re an experienced council and utility contractor and work with strata managers, builders and commercial clients, with the insurance, ISO 9001 certification and documentation that work requires.

We do — it’s our point of difference. One team can remove or prune the tree, grind the stump, then rebuild the space with levels, retaining, turf and planting. See landscape construction.