Lugarno peninsula, Forest Road to the river.
Tree Removal Lugarno — crane removals on the peninsula
Lugarno has the biggest trees and the steepest blocks in the St George area, and we have the crane and rigging crews for them. Recent Blackbutt removals here are the photos on this page. AQF Level 5, $20M insured, Georges River permits handled.
★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviewsAQF Level 5 arboristsISO 9001 certified$20M public liability
The Blackbutt removal on the peninsula.
One job, start to finish. All our own photos.
- Mature Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) over a house: council permit, road occupancy, crane and traffic control, two days including the stump and clean-up.
- Storm-damaged gum made safe the same night, full removal quoted and done the following week.
- Deadwood and weight reduction on a row of Angophoras backing onto the foreshore reserve.
- Turpentine selectively pruned above a house in Connells Point, across the water.
We use Lugarno photos on our home page for a reason.
The crane shots you see across this website were taken in Lugarno: a mature Blackbutt over a house on the peninsula, lifted out in trunk sections over the roof and onto the truck, with the road closed under a council permit. That job is typical of what Lugarno needs. Between Forest Road and the Georges River the blocks run steeply down to the water, the remnant Blackbutts, Blue Gums and Angophoras are 25 to 35 metres, and there is almost always a house, a pool or a neighbour directly under the drop zone.
Our approach is simple: if a crane can set up in the street, we crane, because it turns a three-day hand-rig into one controlled day and nothing is swung over the house on a rope. If the driveway or the slope rules a crane out, our climbers rig the tree down in sections onto a lowering device while the ground crew processes timber and chips branches in the street. Both ways the site is left clean, the timber leaves on our trucks, and you get one fixed price.
Lugarno trees are protected by Georges River Council and the council looks hard at big healthy gums. Our AQF Level 5 reports set out the actual risk, the targets under the tree and the alternatives, which is why our applications are approved. And where the tree can stay, we say so.
Crane work, storm work and the reports behind them.
Crane removals of mature gums
Blackbutt, Blue Gum and Angophora over houses on the peninsula, lifted in sections, road occupancy and traffic control organised. See tree removal.
Storm-damaged trees on the slopes
Split trunks and hanging limbs after a southerly buster. Site made safe first, insurance paperwork after. See 24/7 emergency.
Reports that get approved
Georges River Council applications with AQF Level 5 reports that address risk, structure and alternatives properly. See arborist reports.
Bushland-edge management
Blocks backing onto the reserves along the river: deadwood, weight reduction, hazard trees and mulch from your own timber where you want it.
Slopes, cranes and council.
Council: Georges River Council. Protection from 3 m tall / 100 mm trunk / 3 m spread; deadwooding and hedges exempt; dead trees not exempt; imminent hazards removable with an AQF Level 5 arborist confirming and the form lodged within 72 hours. Lugarno properties bordering the foreshore reserves get extra scrutiny on habitat — hollows in old gums are checked and retained where safe.
Cranes: Most Lugarno streets take a 20–60 t crane. We plan the setup position, check the overhead lines, and apply for the road occupancy permit. Closing part of the street for a day is normal; we letterbox the neighbours beforehand.
Slopes: On the river side the yard can be two storeys below the street. Timber that cannot be craned is cut to length and carried up, which takes longer — the quote says so up front.
Real Lugarno prices, from real jobs.
| 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.
Asked most often around Lugarno.
What does a crane removal in Lugarno cost?
The Blackbutt removal pictured on this page was a mature gum over a house, including the crane, traffic control, permit work, stump and timber removal over two days. Smaller trees or a clear drop zone cost less; large removals generally run $5,000–$25,000+ ex GST.
Will you close the street?
Usually part of it, for a day, under a road occupancy permit we arrange. Neighbours get a letter the week before.
Can I keep the timber for firewood?
Yes. We cut it to length and stack it where you want; it just needs to season for a year. See firewood.
Also working in these suburbs.
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.
Big tree in Lugarno?
Send a photo from the street and one from the yard. We work out whether it is a crane job or a rig job 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.