Tree removal on the upper north shore
From a single cocos palm to a big gum over the pool that has to come out by crane. Quoted free and fixed, done by qualified arborists from our an office in Gordon, with the council paperwork handled.
Most removals on the upper north shore are sectional: the tree comes down piece by piece, roped and lowered wherever a piece could land on something. For big trees over houses, a crane lifts whole sections clear. Either way, everything is chipped and carted away unless you'd like the firewood, and the stump can be ground the same day.
Before any tree comes down
Ku-ring-gai protects every tree that is 5 metres or taller or has a trunk 150 mm or more across at ground level, and also protects other vegetation, so you need a Tree Application to prune or remove one unless a specific exemption applies. The main exemptions are trees within 3 m of your house, branches directly over your roof, minor pruning of branches under 50 mm, deadwood, exempt species and declared weeds. There are no exemptions in Blue Gum High Forest or on heritage land.
Council's fee is $88 for a tree removal application (one tree or hedge, 2026/27). If council wants an arborist report, Joshua Baber (AQF Level 5) writes it; see Ku-ring-gai's rules.
From the first call to a clean site
Call or send the form
Tell us where the tree is and what's worrying you. A photo helps. We call back almost straight away.
Free quote on site
Within 24 to 48 hours we look at the tree, the access and the council rules, and give you a free, fixed, no-obligation quote.
Council approval, if needed
We tell you whether Ku-ring-gai needs a permit (trees 5 m or taller, or with a trunk 150 mm across at ground level, are protected (no exemptions in blue gum high forest or on heritage land)). If council wants an arborist report, Joshua Baber writes it.
Sectional dismantling
A climber or an elevated work platform takes the tree down piece by piece, with each piece roped and lowered where there is a roof, pool or fence underneath.
Crane when it's safer
For big trees over houses a crane lifts whole sections clear, which is often faster, safer and sometimes cheaper overall.
Stump, chip, clean
The stump ground 300–400 mm below ground if you want, everything chipped and carted away (or left as mulch or firewood), and the site cleaned before we leave.
Questions people ask us
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Ku-ring-gai?
Usually, if the tree is protected: Trees 5 m or taller, or with a trunk 150 mm across at ground level, are protected (no exemptions in Blue Gum High Forest or on heritage land). Trees and other vegetation within 3 m of an existing dwelling on the same property, measured from the centre of the trunk at ground level to the external wall. The full rules.
What decides the price?
Height and spread, access (a 900 mm side path or stairs take longer), what is underneath (roof, pool, power lines), whether a crane is needed, and extras such as stump grinding, timber removal or traffic control. Council fees are separate.
Will you remove a tree without a permit if I ask?
No. Unauthorised removal of a protected tree is an offence with heavy fines, for you and for us. We check the rules, and if a permit is needed we help you get it.
Can you leave the firewood?
Yes. Green waste is removed unless you'd like to keep the firewood or mulch.
Got a tree that has to go?
Free, fixed quotes anywhere in Ku-ring-gai and the upper north shore, usually within 24 to 48 hours.