Permits and councils
The questions above cover the NSW rules in general terms. The detail that matters locally — which council covers your street, what each one charges to lodge an application, and how the heritage conservation areas across Paddington and Woollahra change the assessment — is set out in the council tree permit guide.
Two points worth repeating. Street trees and reserve trees are council assets, including the Norfolk Island pines along the beachfronts and the big foreshore figs at Rose Bay. And "the tree is dangerous" is a specific claim with a specific evidence standard behind it, not a description of a tree you would prefer gone.
Money
Nobody can price a tree from a phone call, because access moves the number more than height does. The cost guide lists the published figures we can stand behind and the factors that decide where a quote lands between them.
Timing
Winter into early spring is the sensible window for reduction and deadwood pruning, ahead of the summer storm season and before the crews book out. Removals can happen any time, subject to consent — and consent is the part that takes weeks, so start it early.
After a southerly buster or an east coast low, the emergency queue is triaged by risk. A limb on a roof gets moved ahead of branches on a lawn.
Still not answered
Have a look at the services or your suburb page, or read how this service works. Otherwise call (02) 9538 7842 or send the details through and someone will come and look at the tree.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need council approval to cut down a tree in NSW?
In NSW you may need council approval before cutting down a tree, depending on whether it is heritage-listed, protected under the development control plan, or exempt from any permit. In the Eastern Suburbs the Waverley, Randwick and Woollahra controls are all strict. Check your local council, or ask us to check, before booking work.
How much does it cost to remove a tree in NSW?
Between about $300 and $20,000 depending on size, position and the resources needed. The Eastern Suburbs sits toward the upper half of that range because access is poor, most trees stand over buildings or pools, and crane work is common. An inspection is the only way to get a real number.
Who is responsible for overhanging tree branches in NSW?
The tree owner is responsible for maintaining the tree. A neighbour has the right to cut back branches or roots that encroach over the boundary, at their own expense, and the cut material legally belongs to the tree owner and should be offered back. Council protection still applies to the tree itself.
What is the penalty for cutting a tree without a permit in NSW?
Fines range from around $2,000 for a minor breach to $1.1 million for the most serious offences involving protected trees. Deliberate destruction — poisoning or clearing a protected tree, particularly for a view — sits at the top of that scale, and contractors have been pursued alongside property owners.
How much does an arborist report cost in Sydney?
A standard consulting arborist report usually costs between $450 and $600. Multi-tree assessments, development applications requiring tree protection zone plans, and reports involving decay testing cost more. The council's own application fee is charged separately when you lodge.
Do you remove the green waste?
Yes. Limbs are chipped on site and taken away, and the chip can be left as mulch if you want it. Trunk sections are cut to a carryable size and removed. Palm waste does not chip and is carted whole, which is why palm jobs price differently. Debris removal is included unless the quote says otherwise.