Newtown terraces, rear lanes and tight side passages.
Tree Services Newtown
Tree removal, pruning, arborist reports, and stumps and roots taken out where machines struggle to fit. AQF Level 5 arborists, $20M public liability, and we check which council covers your tree before we quote.
★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviewsAQF Level 5 arboristsISO 9001 certified$20M public liability
Tree work on narrow terrace blocks
Most Newtown jobs have the same problem: the tree is in a small backyard, and the only ways in are a rear lane, a side passage barely wider than a wheelbarrow, or straight through the house. We plan the route in and out before anything is cut, so the job is priced properly and nothing gets damaged on the way.
True Roots is an Aboriginal-owned arborist and landscaping business based in Mortdale. Two of our arborists hold AQF Level 5 qualifications, the level councils ask for when a tree needs a written report. We own our chippers, loaders and trucks, and we bring in crane partners when a tree has to be lifted out over a roof.
We work for Newtown homeowners, landlords, tenants and strata committees. Send us a few photos and your street, and we call you back the same day with what the job involves and whether council needs to approve it.
Tree services for Newtown homes
Tree removal
Trees taken down in sections and lowered on ropes when there is no room to drop anything. Logs and branches go out through the lane or passage, and the site is left clean. Tree removal in Sydney
Pruning
Crown reductions, deadwood, and clearance off roofs, gutters and walls, done to AS 4373. We tell you first if the pruning needs council approval. Tree pruning
Arborist reports
Reports by an AQF Level 5 consulting arborist for council applications, development and disputes, written to each council’s requirements. Arborist reports
Stump grinding and root removal
Stumps ground out and roots dug and cut out by hand where a machine can’t reach, including under paths and against walls. Stump grinding
Emergency tree work
Fallen limbs and trees on roofs, fences or cars. We answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and make the site safe first. Emergency tree removal
Landscaping after the tree
Retaining walls, drainage and site preparation once the tree and roots are out, from the same licensed crew. Retaining walls and site prep
Stump and root removal with no side access
This is the work we want to be known for in the inner city. A stump in a terrace backyard is often the last thing anyone wants to quote, because getting a machine to it is the hard part.
We look at the access first
Rear lane, side passage, gate width, steps and what is underfoot. That decides whether a grinder goes in, or whether the stump and roots come out by hand.
Grind where a machine fits
Where a grinder can be walked in, the stump is ground out below ground level and the grindings are cleaned up.
Dig and cut where it doesn’t
Against walls, under paths and in raised garden beds, roots are exposed, cut and pulled out by hand, then the soil and paving go back.
Stop it coming back
If a neighbouring tree is the source, a root barrier can stop new roots crossing into your yard. Root barrier installation
Tight-access work, before and after
Photos from our own jobs. Client addresses are never published.
Which council covers your part of Newtown?
Newtown sits across two councils. Even King Street is split: one side of the road is Inner West Council and the other is the City of Sydney. The two councils have different tree rules, so check your rates notice or ask us, and we will work out which one applies before we quote.
Inner West Council
Inner West says a tree works permit is needed for most trees. The exempt work it lists is canopy lifting to 2.5 metres above the ground, and pruning deadwood that has no hollows or habitat for native animals.
If the property is in a Heritage Conservation Area, council asks for a development application instead of a tree permit. Newtown has these areas, including the King Street and Enmore Road Heritage Conservation Area. Every owner has to sign the application form. Council says complete applications are generally finalised within 28 days, but it currently warns of a 6–8 week turnaround.
Inner West Council: pruning or removing trees · Our Inner West council guide
City of Sydney
The City asks you to check first whether the tree is a heritage item or protected under its development control plan. Protected trees need a permit, and heritage-listed trees typically need development consent. The application fee is $98 and the City says it assesses applications in 28 days.
Some species are exempt, such as cocos palms, privet, African olive and umbrella trees, unless the tree is on the City’s significant tree register or heritage list. For a dead, dying or dangerous tree you need photos and a report from an arborist with at least an AQF Level 3 qualification, obtained before the work starts (or straight after, for out-of-hours emergency work).
City of Sydney: apply to prune or remove a tree · City of Sydney exemptions · Our City of Sydney council guide
Where an application needs an arborist report, our AQF Level 5 consulting arborist writes it to that council’s requirements, and we can lodge the paperwork for you.
From photos to a clean site
Send photos
One of the whole tree, one of what is under it, and one of the way in from the street or lane. Use the form on this page or call 0422 023 242.
Same-day callback
We call you back the same day, tell you if council approval is likely to be needed, and book a site look if the photos aren’t enough. There is no call-out fee.
Fixed price
You get one fixed price before any work starts, including how the waste comes out.
Done and cleaned up
The tree, stump and roots come out, the lane and passage are swept, and anything we lifted goes back down.
Newtown tree questions
Which council covers my property in Newtown?
Newtown is split between Inner West Council and the City of Sydney, and even King Street has one council on each side of the road. Your rates notice shows which one you are in. If you are not sure, send us the address and we will check before we quote.
Do I need council approval to remove a tree in Newtown?
Often, yes. Inner West Council says a tree works permit is needed for most trees, and a development application if the property is in a Heritage Conservation Area. The City of Sydney needs a permit for trees protected under its development control plan and development consent for heritage-listed trees, with some species exempt. We tell you which applies to your tree.
Can you remove a stump when there is no side access?
Yes. If a grinder can be walked in through a lane or passage we grind it out. If not, the stump and roots are dug and cut out by hand, and the soil and paving are put back.
Can you get rid of roots lifting my paving or courtyard?
Yes. We expose the roots, cut and remove them, and relay what we lifted. If the tree is staying, root work may need council approval first, so we check that before we start. A root barrier can stop new roots coming back.
Can you write the arborist report council asks for?
Yes. Our AQF Level 5 consulting arborist writes reports for Inner West Council and the City of Sydney, each written to that council’s requirements.
Do you charge a call-out fee?
No. Send photos or call 0422 023 242 and we call you back the same day. You get a fixed price before any work starts.
Do you do emergency tree work in Newtown?
Yes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a tree or branch is on a house, car or fence, call 0422 023 242. If it is touching power lines, stay clear and call the network operator first.
Can you do the landscaping once the tree is gone?
Yes. We are licensed landscapers as well as arborists, so the same crew can build retaining walls, fix drainage and prepare the ground once the tree and roots are out.
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.
A tree, stump or roots in a tight Newtown yard?
Send us a few photos and your street. We call you back the same day with what the job involves and whether council needs to approve it.
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.