The Shire's own arborists, since 2004.
Tree removal, pruning, stumps and palms across every suburb from Menai to Bundeena, by a family business that lives and works here. Two AQF Level 5 consulting arborists who know the Shire's tree rules inside out.
- Based in the Shire
- Since 2004
- AQF Level 5 arborists
- $20 million insured
- 5.0★ on Google
- 22+ yrsArborists since 2004
- AQF 5Two consulting arborists
- $20mPublic liability insurance
- RFSVolunteer Deputy Captain and trainer on the team
- TAFEChainsaw operations teacher on staff
- 5.0★Google rating (22 reviews)
Every kind of tree job in the Shire, from one local crew
The same people quote the job, do it and clean up.
Tree removal
From a single cocos palm to a big gum over the pool that has to come out by crane. Roped and lowered in sections, chipped, and the site cleaned.
How we remove trees →Pruning and trimming
Deadwooding, crown thinning, weight reduction and clearance from roofs and wires, to the Australian Standard. Not lopping.
Pruning →Stump grinding
Stumps ground 300–400 mm below ground, ready for turf, a garden bed or paving. Anyone's stump, not just ours.
Stumps →Palm removal
Cocos and Canary Island date palms are on the Shire's exempt list, so no permit is needed. We remove them, fronds, trunk and all.
Palms →Storm and emergency work
Fallen trees and hanging limbs made safe first, then removed and cleaned up, with photos and an itemised invoice for your insurer.
Storm work →Arborist reports and permits
Two AQF Level 5 consulting arborists. We tell you whether the Shire needs a permit, and write the report when council asks for one.
The Shire's rules →We know what Sutherland Shire Council will and won't allow
The Shire protects trees by trunk size, not height: anything 100 mm or more across at 500 mm above the ground needs a permit before it's pruned or removed, as does any bushland vegetation and anything within 4 m of a creek. Council will permit removal within 3 m of a house or pool, but you still have to apply first. Council's application fee is $213 ($90 for pensioners) and council inspects every application.
Plenty of trees need no permit at all: cocos and Canary Island date palms, camphor laurel, privet, liquidambar, radiata pine, umbrella trees and most fruit trees are on the exempt list, and minor pruning under 10% of the canopy is fine. We tell you which applies to your tree before you spend a cent on an application.
Quick check
- Trunk under 100 mm at knee height (500 mm): no permit
- On the exempt species list: no permit
- Pruning less than 10% of the canopy: no permit
- Everything else: permit first, $213 fee
- Immediate danger to life or property: can be removed, but you must be able to prove it
- Bush fire prone land: the 10/50 rule may let you clear within 10 m of the house
Sutherland Shire DCP 2015, Chapter 39; fees 2026/27. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Every suburb in the Sutherland Shire
From the Woronora River to Bundeena, and every bay in between. Each suburb has its own page on our main website.
Engadine, Heathcote and the south
Engadine · Yarrawarrah · Heathcote · Waterfall · Loftus · Woronora · Woronora Heights
Menai and the plateau
Menai · Bangor · Barden Ridge · Illawong · Alfords Point · Lucas Heights · Sandy Point
Sutherland, Gymea and Miranda
Sutherland · Kirrawee · Gymea · Jannali · Kareela · Como · Bonnet Bay · Oyster Bay · Miranda
Port Hacking and the bays
Gymea Bay · Yowie Bay · Caringbah South · Lilli Pilli · Port Hacking · Dolans Bay · Burraneer · Grays Point
Sylvania and the Georges River
Sylvania · Sylvania Waters · Kangaroo Point · Taren Point · Caringbah
Cronulla, Kurnell and Bundeena
Cronulla · Woolooware · Greenhills Beach · Kurnell · Bundeena · Maianbar
Shire locals, properly qualified
Tree lopping is an unregulated trade: anyone with a ute and a chainsaw can call themselves an arborist. Here is what ours actually hold.
- 22 years in business. Above All Tree Services has been a Sutherland Shire family business since 2004, now seven full-time staff plus casual crew, with cranes and elevated work platforms for the hardest jobs.
- Two AQF Level 5 consulting arborists. Wayne Back and Joshua Baber hold the Diploma-level qualification councils ask for when they want a "consulting arborist", and write arborist reports councils accept.
- Wayne teaches chainsaw operations at TAFE NSW part-time, and is a volunteer Deputy Captain and trainer with the NSW Rural Fire Service.
- Licensed for the dangerous bits: elevated work platforms over 11 m, Electrical Close Approach for work near service lines, and rail, ARTC and Sydney Airport inductions.
- $20 million public liability, $10 million professional indemnity and workers compensation. Ask any contractor for their certificate of currency; we'll hand you ours.
- A member of Arboriculture Australia, trusted by Bayside Council, strata managers and schools, and we call back almost as soon as your request comes in.
Questions people ask us
Do I need council permission to remove a tree in the Sutherland Shire?
Usually, yes. In Sutherland Shire you need a council tree permit before you prune or remove any tree whose trunk is 100 mm or more in diameter at 500 mm above the ground, any bushland vegetation, or anything within 4 m of a creek. The exceptions are the species on council's exempt list, minor pruning (under 10% of the canopy in 12 months) and a few others. Our Shire council rules page walks through it.
How much does tree removal cost in the Shire?
Every job is quoted free, on site and fixed. The price depends on the tree's height and spread, how easy it is to get to, what is underneath it (roof, pool, power lines), whether a crane is needed and whether you want the stump ground. Council's $213 application fee is separate and paid to council. What drives the cost is explained on our main website.
Where are you based?
In the Sutherland Shire. It's our home patch, so every Shire suburb is close by. We also work right across Sydney through our main website.
Are you qualified and insured?
Yes. Wayne Back and Joshua Baber are AQF Level 5 consulting arborists. Our crews hold EWP (over 11 m) and Electrical Close Approach licences, and we carry $20 million public liability. Ask for the certificate of currency; we'll hand it over.
Do you do emergency and storm work?
Yes. Call Wayne on 0412 708 072. During big storms we triage by danger: a tree on a house or blocking the only way out comes before a tree across a lawn.
Can you remove palms and grind stumps?
Yes. We remove palms of all sizes, including Canary Island date palms and cocos palms (both on the Shire's exempt list), and grind stumps 300–400 mm below ground so you can replant or turf.
How soon can you quote?
We call back almost as soon as your request comes in, and inspect and quote within 24 to 48 hours anywhere in the Shire. Stumps can be quoted from a photo; everything else we come and see.
Do you clean up afterwards?
Yes. Every job finishes with a full clean-up, which is what our reviews mention most. Green waste is removed unless you'd like to keep the firewood or mulch.
Do you work on waterfront and difficult-access blocks?
Yes. On Port Hacking and the Georges River we have taken the truck and chipper across by barge. Narrow side paths, steep blocks and trees over pools are everyday jobs in the Shire.
Tell us about the tree.
Free, fixed quotes anywhere in the Shire. When you call, you speak to Wayne or Alex, the people who do the work.