Tree pruning cost Sydney. Real prices from our own quotes.
Tree Pruning Cost Sydney — what pruning really costs, from our own jobs
Most pruning we quote lands between $800 and $4,000 ex GST. Here is what moves the price, what council allows without an application, and how to get a fixed price from a few photos.
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What tree pruning costs in Sydney, straight from our quotes.
Most pruning jobs we quote in Sydney land between $800 and $4,000 ex GST. Where your job sits in that range comes down to how big the tree is, how much comes off, what is underneath it and whether council has a say. These are the numbers we actually work to.
Standard pruning job
$800–$4,000 ex GST. Crown reduction, deadwooding, clearance off a roof or fence, or a crown thin, done to AS 4373. Powerline clearance and pool-fence compliance trims usually sit at the low end.
Large pruning jobs
Up to $4,000 ex GST. Big canopies, pool or roof overhangs and anything that needs a climber, chipper and machinery for most of a day.
Big trees or several trees
Quoted on the job. A full crew with loader, chipper and tip trucks, for large canopies, several trees on one site, or strata and commercial grounds.
Every pruning quote is built from crew days.
We do not price pruning by the metre or by guesswork. We work out how long the job will take a crew to do properly and safely, then quote it as a fixed price. The quote says how many days it is built on, so you can see exactly where the number came from.
A recent example from the North Shore: a 10% crown thin on a large tree, plus cutting back a neighbour’s overhang above a swimming pool, in Wahroonga. It took a two-person crew one full day. The pruning was kept inside what Ku-ring-gai Council allows without consent, so there was no application to wait for.
Why two pruning jobs on similar trees can cost very different amounts.
How much comes off
Lifting a canopy off a roof is quicker than a full crown reduction. Taking out deadwood through a big gum means climbing the whole tree, even if the pile on the ground is small.
What is underneath
Pools, glass roofs, solar panels, fences and garden beds mean branches are lowered on ropes instead of dropped. Rigging is slower, and that is where most of the difference comes from.
Access for the crew
Can the chipper get close, or does every branch get carried through a side gate or down steps? Rear-yard jobs with no machine access take longer.
Size and species
A 25 m blue gum or blackbutt takes far longer to climb and work than a small ornamental. Hardwood is heavy to rig and slow to chip.
Green waste
Chipping and removal is included in our quotes. A big canopy can mean several loads, and that is built into the days.
Council
If the pruning needs consent, add the application fee and a few weeks of waiting. Often a smaller, exempt prune does the job without an application. We tell you which before we quote.
When pruning needs council approval, and what it costs.
Every Sydney council sets its own limits. These are the ones we deal with most. Check the guide for your area, or ask us and we will check your address.
- Sutherland Shire: minor pruning of up to 10% of the canopy in any 12 months is allowed without an application. More than that needs a permit.
- Inner West: you can prune branches under 100 mm across, up to 10% of the canopy a year, lift the canopy to 2.5 m and remove deadwood without consent.
- City of Sydney: you need approval before pruning a protected tree beyond the small exempt limits. The application fee is $98.
- Bayside: trees over 3 m tall or with a trunk over 300 mm at 1.4 m need a permit before pruning, unless they are fruit trees or on the exempt list. The fee is $125.50 for one to three trees.
- Ku-ring-gai: the pruning application fee is $44. Small exempt pruning, like the Wahroonga job above, needs no application.
- Georges River: see our guide for the current rules, or send us your address.
Pruning a protected tree beyond the limits without approval can mean a fine, so if you are unsure, ask first. It costs nothing to check.
Why the cheapest quote often costs more over five years.
Lopping, also called topping, cuts branches back to stubs wherever it is convenient. It is quick, so it quotes cheap. The tree answers with a mass of fast, weakly attached shoots from each stub, and the cut ends often start to decay. Within a couple of years the canopy is back, heavier and less stable, and it needs doing again.
Pruning to AS 4373 cuts back to a branch collar or a suitable side branch, so the tree seals the wound and keeps its natural shape. It lasts longer between visits, keeps the tree safer, and it is what councils expect. Lopping a protected tree without consent can also breach council rules. More on the difference in our tree pruning Sydney service page.
What pruning work looks like on site.
Three things that get you a fixed pruning price faster.
Send photos from the ground
One of the whole tree, one of what is underneath it, and one of the access from the street. That is usually enough to price it.
Say what you want to achieve
Clear of the roof by a metre, more light on the lawn, off the neighbour’s pool. The goal decides how much comes off, and the price.
Tell us your suburb
So we can check your council’s pruning limits before we quote, and tell you if an application is needed.
What people ask before they book pruning.
How much does tree pruning cost in Sydney?
Most pruning jobs we quote are between $800 and $4,000 ex GST; big trees or several trees in one visit are quoted on the job. We give a fixed price before any work starts.
Is pruning cheaper than removing the tree?
Usually, yes, and it often avoids a council application. A removal of a medium tree with the stump ground is typically $1,500 to $4,000 ex GST, and large trees cost much more. If the tree is healthy and the problem is clearance or light, pruning is normally the cheaper fix. See the tree removal cost guide to compare.
Do I need council approval to prune a tree?
It depends on your council and how much comes off. Sutherland Shire allows up to 10% of the canopy in 12 months without an application, and Inner West allows small branches and deadwood. Larger pruning of protected trees needs approval. We check before we quote.
Does the price include taking the branches away?
Yes. Chipping, loading and removing the green waste, and blowing down paths and lawns, is included in every pruning quote.
How often does a tree need pruning?
For most garden trees, every two to three years keeps them healthy and clear of the house. Fast growers near roofs, gutters or powerlines may need it every year. Lopped trees need it far more often, which is one reason lopping costs more in the long run.
Can you prune my neighbour’s branches that hang over my yard?
In NSW you can generally cut overhanging branches back to your boundary line, as long as the work does not need council approval and does not harm the tree. Our guide to overhanging trees and neighbour rights explains the rules.
Tree pruning across Sydney.
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 Google70 reviews, every one from a real job. Read them.
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