Sylvania, Sylvania Waters, Kangaroo Point.
Tree Removal & Arborist Sylvania
Canal-front palms, Norfolk pines on the point and old gums on the hill: Sylvania’s trees are either in the way of a view or over a boat. We prune and remove them carefully, with the Shire’s approval sorted first. AQF Level 5, $20M insured.
★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviewsAQF Level 5 arboristsISO 9001 certified$20M public liability
Waterfront palms and hillside gums
On the flat — Sylvania Waters and the canal streets — the trees are the ones people planted around pools and pontoons in the 1970s: Cocos and Canary Island Date palms, Coral Trees, Norfolk Island Pines and Golden Cane clumps that are now dropping fronds into the canal and lifting the paving. Access is from the street or, on a few jobs, from the water, and every piece is lowered rather than dropped because there is a boat, a pool or a neighbour’s pergola underneath.
On the hill toward Kangaroo Point and Sylvania Heights the blocks are older and the trees are remnant Blackbutts, Blue Gums and Angophoras over brick homes on steep ground. That is rigging work: climber, lowering lines, ground crew, and a crane from the street when one can reach.
Sutherland Shire Council protects everything over 100 mm trunk, and healthy gums on the hill rarely get removal approval. We tell you that before you spend money on a report, and we are good at the alternative — a reduction and deadwood program that fixes the risk and keeps the tree.
Sutherland Shire Council rules and waterfront access
Council: Sutherland Shire Council — 100 mm trunk at 500 mm above ground triggers protection; Camphor Laurel, Weeping Fig, Rubber Tree, Italian Cypress, pines, wattles and fruit trees exempt; dead trees without hollows exempt; storm-broken limbs and roofline clearance exempt; within 3 m of a dwelling or pool normally approved on application; up to 28 business days to determine. Foreshore trees can also fall under the foreshore building line controls — we check before quoting.
Working near water: Nothing goes in the canal. Fronds, seed and sawdust are caught on tarps, and pontoons and boats are covered or moved before we start.
Access: Canal blocks are flat and easy from the street; the hill blocks are steep, and timber that cannot be craned is carried up by hand. The quote tells you which.
Tree services in Sylvania
Canal-front palm removal
Cocos, Date and Golden Cane palms removed to the ground and stumps ground so the paving goes back. Fronds and seed out of the water. See palm removal.
Norfolk pine and Coral tree work
Height and weight reduction of the big coastal trees on the point, or full removal where the Shire agrees. See pruning.
Gum removals on steep blocks
Sectional dismantle or crane lift over the house on Sylvania Heights. See tree removal.
Storm damage
Sylvania cops the southerlies across the bay. Limbs down, trees on roofs — made safe first, quoted after. See 24/7 emergency.
Recent Sutherland Shire jobs
Our own photos from nearby jobs.
- Strata palm and boundary-tree pruning rounds in Cronulla, with powerline clearance.
- Sectional removal of a large dead tree with a controlled dismantle over structures.
- Pool-fence compliance trim and shrub removal for certification.
- Turpentine pruned selectively above a house in Connells Point, across the river.
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.
Sylvania tree questions
Can you get a palm out of a canal-front yard without a mess?
Yes. The palm is climbed and cut in short sections onto tarps, fronds bagged, stump ground, and the paving swept. Nothing enters the water.
Will the Shire let me remove a Norfolk pine that blocks the view?
Views are not a reason the Shire accepts. If the tree is sound it stays; a careful reduction of the lower limbs sometimes helps. If it has structural problems we document them and lodge.
How quickly can you come after a storm?
Same day, usually within a couple of hours across the Shire. We make it safe first and quote the rest.
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.
Tree over the water in Sylvania?
Send a photo from the yard. We plan the drop zone, sort the Shire paperwork 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.