Tree services in the Sutherland Shire

Everything from a hedge trim to a crane removal, by one local crew with the gear to do it safely. Quotes are free, fixed and given on site.

Tree removal

Most Shire removals are sectional: 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. For big trees over houses a crane lifts whole sections clear, which is often faster, safer and sometimes cheaper overall. Everything is chipped and carted away unless you'd like to keep the firewood or mulch, and the site is cleaned before we leave. If the tree needs a council permit, we tell you before you apply, and we can write the arborist report if council asks for one.

Pruning and trimming

Deadwooding, crown thinning, weight reduction over roofs and driveways, clearance from your service wire, and formative pruning of young trees, all to AS 4373. In the Shire, pruning under 10% of the canopy in 12 months needs no permit, and storm-damaged limbs and branches directly over a roof can be cut back without one. We don't lop: topping a tree leaves weak, fast-growing regrowth that is more dangerous than what you started with.

Stump grinding

We grind stumps to 300–400 mm below ground level, deep enough to lay turf, plant a garden bed or pave over. A typical backyard stump takes about half an hour to an hour. The grindings can stay as mulch or we take them away. We grind stumps left by other contractors too. No council approval is needed to grind the stump of a tree that was legally removed.

Palm removal

Cocos palms and Canary Island date palms are both on Sutherland Shire's exempt list, so they can be removed without a permit. We take them out fronds, trunk and all, and can grind the stump the same day. Other palms may be protected: ask us and we'll check.

Hedges and screens

Lilly pilly, murraya, viburnum and conifer hedges shaped and reduced, and overgrown screens brought back under control.

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. Call Wayne on 0412 708 072. In a big storm we triage by danger. Our emergency tree services site has the step-by-step guide to what to do first.

Arborist reports and council permits

Two AQF Level 5 consulting arborists, Wayne Back and Joshua Baber. Sutherland Shire sends its own arborist to inspect every application, so a report is optional for most Shire permits, but council asks for one for dead or dangerous trees you want removed under the imminent-risk exemption, and for appeals and development sites. Note: for the Shire's reduced-fee TRAQ application the report and the removal must come from different companies, so for that one you choose which half we do. See the Shire's rules.

Strata, schools and commercial

Above All looks after trees for strata managers, schools, councils and facility companies across Sydney, with the inductions and insurance that those clients require. Ask about a scheduled inspection and maintenance program.