Heathcote, Waterfall, the Princes Highway strip.
Tree Removal & Arborist Heathcote
Heathcote is the southern edge of Sydney, with national park on both sides of the highway. Bushfire clearing under 10/50, hazardous gums over houses, and honest assessments of the ones that can stay. Shire and RFS rules checked before we quote. AQF Level 5, $20M insured.
★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviewsAQF Level 5 arboristsISO 9001 certified$20M public liability
Tree work on Heathcote’s bushland-edge blocks
Heathcote and Waterfall are a strip of streets along the highway and railway with Heathcote National Park to the west and the Royal to the east. Almost every block is bushfire-prone, the trees are the forest — Scribbly Gum, Bloodwood, Sydney Red Gum, Blackbutt, Turpentine, Banksia — and the residents have lived through fire seasons that make asset protection a practical matter, not a theory.
Our work here is mostly about that boundary between the house and the bush. On lots with an RFS 10/50 entitlement we clear trees within 10 m of the house and manage the vegetation within 50 m without a council application. On lots without it, we assess the trees that worry people and tell you which ones need a Sutherland Shire Council permit. And we are straight with you when a big gum is sound and should stay.
Being the last suburb before the park also means the storms hit first. Limbs on roofs, trees across driveways — we are on the road the same day and we make it safe before we talk about the rest.
Sutherland Shire Council rules near the national park
Sutherland Shire Council: protected from a 100 mm trunk at 500 mm above ground; exempt species include Camphor Laurel, Weeping Fig, Rubber Tree, Italian Cypress, pines, wattles and fruit trees; dead trees without hollows exempt; storm-broken limbs and roofline clearance exempt; within 3 m of the house or pool normally approved on application; up to 28 business days.
RFS 10/50: Most of Heathcote and Waterfall sit in entitlement areas but the rule is per lot — the RFS tool decides. Where it applies, trees within 10 m of the home can go without council approval. Never onto park land.
Habitat and threatened species: The park edge carries hollow-bearing trees and some threatened vegetation communities. A removal that touches those needs a DA rather than a tree application; we tell you which before anything is lodged.
Recent jobs near Heathcote
Our own photos.
- Vegetation clearing of around 50 trees at 3–10 m on one bushland property, mulch left on site.
- Storm-damaged gum made safe the same night and removed the following week.
- Gum removal on a bushland-edge block in Menai.
- Selective removal and weed control of Privet, African Olive and Chinese Celtis.
Tree services in Heathcote
10/50 asset-protection clearing
Eligibility checked, trees within 10 m removed, understorey within 50 m managed. See the 10/50 rule.
Hazard gums over the house
Dead, split or decayed trees documented and removed in sections or by crane. See hazard trees.
Storm callouts
Southerlies and summer cells come through the park first. Made safe the same day. See 24/7 emergency.
Mulch and firewood
Heathcote blocks have room. Chip spread where you want it and logs stacked for the fire, at no extra cost. See firewood.
Tree removal prices in Heathcote
| Job | Typical price (ex GST) | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree or palm removal (under 5 m) | $300 – $900 | Front-yard access is the cheap end; rear access or a stump adds to it. |
| Medium tree removal (5–10 m) with stump ground | $1,500 – $4,000 | Sectional dismantle near a driveway, boundary or pool, waste removed. |
| Large or hazardous tree removal (10 m+) | $5,000 – $25,000+ | Rigging or crane over the house, two to three days, traffic control where needed. |
| Pruning, crown reduction, deadwood | $800 – $4,000 | To AS 4373. Powerline clearance and pool-fence compliance trims sit at the low end. |
| Stump grinding (per stump) | $300 – $900 | Ground below turf level; root treatment and backfill on request. |
| AQF Level 5 arborist report for council | $1,500 – $2,000 | Written to each council’s requirements. Note: Sutherland Shire asks for a report independent of the tree contractor. AS 4970 impact assessments quoted per site. |
| Land clearing and vegetation removal | $6,000 – $25,000 | Whole blocks, bushfire zones, invasive species. Mulch left on site is free. |
Taken from our own 2026 invoices, not a national average. Every job is quoted as one fixed price after we see it. Full breakdown in the tree removal cost guide.
Heathcote tree questions
How far will you come?
Heathcote and Waterfall are inside our normal run — about 25 minutes from the Mortdale depot.
Can I clear under 10/50 without telling anyone?
If the lot is eligible, yes for trees within 10 m of the house — but keep the RFS eligibility printout, because the Shire can ask for it. We save it with your job file.
Will you check the tree before recommending removal?
Always. We climb and inspect, and if the tree is sound we say so and quote a reduction instead. We do not sell removals the tree does not need.
Other areas we work in
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.
Trees near the house in Heathcote?
Send the address and a photo. We check 10/50, look at the trees honestly, and quote it fixed.
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.