Tree services · Sydney's North Shore
Tree removal on Sydney's north shore
Qualified arborists for tree removal, tree lopping, pruning and stump grinding across the lower and upper north shore. We quote on site, tell you straight whether council needs to sign off, and leave the yard clean.
- Lower & upper north shore
- Council permit help
- Pruning to AS 4373
Tree services
Arborist services
Health checks, structural assessments and tree work done to Australian Standards.
Tree pruning & hedges
Deadwooding, clearance from roofs and lines, crown thinning and hedge trimming.
Stump grinding
Stumps ground out below ground level so you can turf, pave or replant.
Palm tree removal
Cocos palms, frond and seed pod clean-ups, and palms in tight courtyards.
Emergency & storm damage
Fallen trees and hanging limbs made safe, then removed.
Arborist reports
Reports for council applications, development and insurance.
Do you need council approval?
On the north shore, most trees over 4 to 5 metres are protected. Each council sets its own size limits and exempt species, and removing a protected tree without approval can lead to fines. Here's where each council draws the line.
| Council | Suburbs | Permit usually needed if the tree is at least |
|---|---|---|
| Mosman Council | Mosman, Balmoral, Clifton Gardens, Beauty Point and Spit Junction | 5 m tall, or a trunk 150 mm across (450 mm around) measured 300 mm above the ground |
| North Sydney Council | North Sydney, Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Cremorne Point, Kirribilli, Milsons Point, Cammeray, Waverton and Wollstonecraft | 5 m tall, a crown 5 m wide, or a trunk 500 mm around at ground level |
| Willoughby City Council | Chatswood, Willoughby, Artarmon, Northbridge, Castlecrag, Middle Cove and Naremburn | 4 m tall, a trunk 600 mm around at 1.4 m, or a crown 3 m wide |
| Lane Cove Council | Lane Cove, Lane Cove North, Lane Cove West, Greenwich, Longueville, Riverview and Linley Point | 4 m tall, a canopy 5 m wide, or a trunk 150 mm across at 1 m |
| Ku-ring-gai Council | Roseville, Lindfield, Killara, Gordon, Pymble, St Ives, Turramurra and Wahroonga | 5 m tall, or a trunk 150 mm across at ground level |
Summary only, checked against each council's rules on 3 November 2026. Species lists, heritage areas and exemptions change the answer, so check the full guide for your council.
How a job works
Call or send photos
Tell us the suburb, roughly how tall the tree is and what's around it. Photos of the whole tree and the access to it help us give you a ballpark straight away.
On-site quote
A qualified arborist looks at the tree, the access and anything it could hit on the way down, then gives you a fixed price.
Council check
We tell you whether your council needs to approve the work and what to send them. If a permit is needed, the work is booked once it's approved.
Job done, site cleaned
The tree comes down in sections where space is tight, the green waste goes, and the stump is ground out if you've asked for it.
What tree removal costs in Sydney
Price comes down to the size of the tree, how easy it is to get to, and what's underneath it. A 15 m gum over a Mosman roofline with no side access is a different job to a small tree in an open backyard.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small tree removal (under 5 m) | $290 | $575 | $920 |
| Medium tree removal (5–10 m) | $920 | $1,725 | $2,875 |
| Large tree removal (10–20 m) | $2,300 | $4,025 | $5,750 |
| Stump grinding, small (under 30 cm) | $170 | $230 | $345 |
Typical Sydney prices including GST, from the What's The Damage Sydney cost guide (November 2026). Your quote depends on the tree, access and what's around it.
Areas we cover
We work right across the north shore, from the harbour up to Wahroonga.
Lower north shore
Upper north shore
Also: Balmoral, Clifton Gardens, Beauty Point, Spit Junction, Cremorne Point, Kirribilli, Milsons Point, Cammeray, Crows Nest, Wollstonecraft, Waverton, Northbridge, Castlecrag, Middle Cove, Artarmon, St Leonards, Greenwich, Longueville, Riverview.
Common questions
Do I need council approval to remove a tree on the north shore?
Usually, if the tree is above your council's size threshold. Mosman, North Sydney and Ku-ring-gai protect most trees 5 m or taller; Willoughby and Lane Cove start at 4 m. Exempt species, dead trees and declared weeds are treated differently. Our council permit guide covers each council.
How long does a permit take?
Mosman Council usually inspects within about ten working days, and North Sydney Council aims to assess within 12 business days. Willoughby publishes applications for public comment, which can add time. Book the inspection early if the job isn't urgent.
Do you do tree lopping?
Yes. Tree lopping is what most people call cutting a tree back or taking it down, and we do both. Branches are cut back to proper pruning points under AS 4373 rather than topped back to stubs, which damages the tree and which north shore councils treat as unauthorised work. See tree pruning.
Do you grind the stump as well?
Stump grinding is quoted as a separate item so you can choose. Most people get it done at the same visit, especially if they want to turf, pave or replant the spot. See stump grinding.
Can you remove a tree that's on my neighbour's side?
Only the tree's owner can apply to remove it. If branches overhang your property, you may be able to prune back to the boundary, but in Mosman and most of the lower north shore that pruning still needs council consent unless the tree is exempt.
What about trees near power lines?
Work close to overhead lines has to be done by specially authorised crews, and sometimes Ausgrid needs to be involved. Tell us about any lines when you call and we'll explain what applies to your job.
Need a tree looked at?
Tell us the suburb and send a photo. We'll tell you what's involved, whether council needs to approve it, and what it should cost.