Sutherland, Kirrawee border, Loftus, Woronora.
Tree Removal & Arborist Sutherland
Sutherland is the Shire’s administrative centre and its oldest streets, with 80-year-old trees on blocks now being split into duplexes. We remove and prune them, and we know the council up the road. AQF Level 5, $20M insured.
★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviewsAQF Level 5 arboristsISO 9001 certified$20M public liability
Tree work in the suburb of Sutherland
This page is about the suburb of Sutherland. For tree services across the whole of the Shire, see Sutherland Shire tree services.
Sutherland proper is the older part of the Shire — Federation and inter-war cottages around the station, 1950s brick beyond — and its trees are the oldest too: Camphor Laurels planted a century ago, Brush Box and Liquidambar street trees, Jacarandas and big old Gums in the rear yards. A lot of those blocks are now being redeveloped into duplexes and townhouses, which puts the trees squarely in the way of the DA.
That is where we come in most often. Sutherland Shire Council assesses tree removals on a DA with the DA, and it wants an arboricultural impact assessment to AS 4970 that shows each tree’s protection zone and what the works do to it. We write those in-house, we do the tree protection plan and the Project Arborist certification during the build, and we remove the trees that are approved — and only those.
For the rest of Sutherland it is the everyday work: a Camphor Laurel that has taken the whole yard (exempt in the Shire, so no application), a Liquidambar over the roof, a Jacaranda lifting the driveway, palms nobody wants. Fixed price after a look, stump ground, site clean.
Recent Sutherland Shire jobs
Our own photos from Shire jobs.
- Tree removal and yard rebuild with new turf on a Sutherland Shire block.
- AS 4970 arboricultural impact assessment with root mapping for a pool DA.
- Strata pruning rounds and removals within 3 m of the building in Cronulla.
- Medium tree removal beside a shared driveway with the stump ground 250 mm below grade.
Sutherland Shire Council tree rules
Council: Sutherland Shire Council — protected from a 100 mm trunk at 500 mm above ground. Exempt: Camphor Laurel, Weeping Fig, Rubber Tree, Italian Cypress, most pines and wattles, edible fruit trees; dead trees without hollows; storm-broken limbs; roofline clearance to the branch collar. Within 3 m of the house or pool normally approved on application. Up to 28 business days; permits last two years. Removals on a DA go with the DA.
Heritage: Some of Sutherland’s older streets have heritage items and conservation areas. A tree that contributes to a heritage setting gets a harder look; we check the LEP before we quote.
Access: Older blocks mean narrow side paths and rear lanes. We work with a compact loader and tracked chipper that fit, and rig the rest.
Tree services in Sutherland
AS 4970 reports for duplex DAs
Impact assessments, tree protection plans and Project Arborist certification so the DA gets through and the retained trees survive the build. See arborist reports.
Camphor Laurel removals
Exempt in the Shire, so no application — but still a big, heavy, hollow-prone tree that needs a proper dismantle. See tree removal.
Roof and gutter clearance
Liquidambars and Brush Box over the house pruned to AS 4373, deadwood out, gutters clear before winter. See pruning.
Stumps for the new driveway
Old stumps ground deep and roots treated before the concrete goes down. See stump grinding.
Sutherland tree questions
The DA requires an arborist report. How long does it take?
Site visit within days, report inside the week for a standard block. If the council asks for root mapping it is two site days plus the report. We write to the council’s deadline.
Is a Camphor Laurel really exempt in Sutherland?
Yes — Sutherland Shire lists it as an exempt species, so no application. Be careful on the council boundary: Georges River only exempts them under 6 m.
Can you do the trees and the site prep for the builder?
Yes. Trees out, stumps and root plates grubbed, block levelled, spoil gone. One quote. See land clearing.
Prices from our own 2026 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.
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 in the way of a Sutherland DA?
Send the plans or a photo. We tell you which trees can go, which must stay, and what the report and the removals cost.
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.