One way or another, no matter how much you love trees and preserve them at all costs, there might come a situation where getting a tree removed from your property is necessary.
If you’re already in that kind of pickle and are concerned about tree removal costs, you’re in the right place. Here’s a handy comprehensive tree removal cost guide in Australia.
How much does tree lopping cost?
How much does it cost to remove a tree?
This could be the foremost question in your mind when you need to remove one or more trees from your property.
The answer: it depends.
There are several factors (more on this later) that affect total tree lopping costs – whether you’re in Perth or elsewhere in the country.
However, a good ballpark figure for the cost of removing a 6-metre-high tree with a narrow trunk is $500. If it’s an 8-metre-high tree with a large trunk, expect to shell out somewhere around $1,000. In general, you may need to spend $300 for a small tree to as much as $20,000 for a very large tree.
Trees with a large girth would entail the use of safety equipment and a chainsaw. Larger ones close to road traffic may require the use of cranes, traffic management and electricity shutdowns – all of which can make the process very expensive. Some service fee quotes include the removal of cuttings, whilst others don't.
The estimates above do not include the arborist’s report, which costs around:
- $75 to $100 (one to five trees)
- $20 to $25 (for each additional tree)
- $35 (submission to council fee)
Tree removal is technical work that has certain risks. It also involves the use of equipment that’s specific to the task. Keep this in mind as you start asking around for quotes.
There are those rare instances when you may find it necessary to have a tree removed from your property. However, property owners are only permitted to have a tree removed for very specific, compelling reasons.
Perhaps the tree targeted for removal is already severely infested with termites or other pests, diseased, dying or is practically dead. The tree can pose a safety risk to the building occupants or your family and pets. Therefore, getting it removed would be the best solution.
If a tree presents a threat to your safety or that of your neighbourhood, it may need to be cut down and removed. For example, a sizeable old tree that could fall or break during a storm may need to be lopped off.
Also, trees that are located in close proximity to buildings, including houses, may have roots growing into the plumbing or foundation and cause major structural damage. Another instance when a tree needs to be removed is if it obstructs your construction, home renovation or extension project.
Instead of letting these go unchecked or allowing them to happen, ask for the help of tree removal services.
If you require council approval for your tree removal project, you may file an application first online or in person. Depending on your location or application requirements, you may provide relevant information that can help with the council’s assessment of your situation. This includes:
- Evidence of any damage caused by the tree(s)
- A tree condition report by a qualified arborist
- A building report accomplished by a structural engineer
- A pest inspection report
Once the council receives your application (and any supporting documents), a council-appointed arborist will schedule a site and tree inspection. This will help them determine the merits of your application and decide on whether tree removal is warranted.
So, how much does it cost to remove a tree?
Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to this because, as mentioned earlier, there are certain factors that can affect the cost of a tree removal job. These include:
The costs for removing trees of different sizes vary. Large tree removal costs tend to be higher because of the risks involved, whilst small tree removal costs are usually on the lower end, as the tasks are simpler, faster and easier to do.
Although other factors besides the size can influence the total cost of a tree removal job, the following rough estimates are a good starting point during budget planning:
- Small (10 metres or less) - $300 to $3,000
- Medium (10 to 20 metres) - $500 to $4,000
- Large (over 20 metres) - $1,200 to $20,000
Depending on where you are located, the average tree lopping costs may also differ.
- Tree removal cost in Perth: $250 to $4,300
- Tree removal cost in Sydney: $300 to $8,000+
- Tree removal cost in Melbourne: $500 to $1,500
- Tree removal cost in Adelaide: $250 to $4,500
- Tree removal cost in Brisbane: $265 to $4,200
The cost of removing different types of trees also vary. Certain tree species, for example, have more branches, and removing them could be more difficult and take longer.
Below are some common or popular trees and the potential cost of their removal.
- Oak tree removal cost: $1,200 to $5,000
- Pine tree removal cost: Norfolk Island pine – around $2,200 to $4,500; Radiata pine – around $1,700 to $3,120
- Palm tree removal cost: $250 to $2,600
- Conifer removal cost: $250 to $850
- Gum tree removal cost: $600 to $1,000
Most tree removal services don’t include stump removal, although some people may require this service for safety (a stump can be a tripping hazard or habitat for fungi and mould) and aesthetic reasons.
The stump removal process can be done chemically using poison, through the use of fire to burn down the tree stump or by forcefully extracting the stump from the ground.
However, all the above options tend to be disruptive or pose risks to the surroundings, so some people opt for stump grinding. This method of stump removal involves using a stump grinder to grind down the tree stump until it reaches the level of the soil or lower.
The average cost to remove a tree stump falls between $40 and $400. This can be higher or lower depending on certain factors, such as the type of tree, duration of the job and accessibility.
➜ Learn more about Stump Removal Cost in Australia
When calculating tree removal costs, seasonality also figures. For example, tree lopping costs tend to be higher during the summer and spring when service demand is high. During autumn and winter, tree removal costs are usually on the lower end, as fewer people require the service. Also, since most deciduous trees have fewer leaves during autumn, tree removal becomes easier to do with less foliage to work with.
Before you can proceed with tree removal, find out first if you need to file an application for it with the local council, as well as the applicable cost of tree removal permits. This is crucial so you can avoid council fines for tree removal.
There are exceptions to tree removal rules in certain city councils. Here is a general guide to tree removals that don’t require prior approval.
"Very experienced and knowledgeable team. Rob is a machine! Works hard and get the job done faultlessly. Recommend any day."
Eliane Baptista
Happy Tree Wise Men Client
"Good job! A team of four removed a tree in no time and did a great job cleaning up afterwards. Quick, polite and efficient. Thanks!"
Eoin Douglas-Smith
Happy Tree Wise Men Client
"Soon after calling Rob for a quote he came by. A week later the job was done in an excellent way. Rob trimmed the tree exactly as I wanted and he and his workers left the place clean and tidy. Would definitely recommend!"
Barend Zomer
Happy Tree Wise Men Client
Gaby Molina
Happy Tree Wise Men Client