Permits, costs, powerlines
The questions Canberra asks about trees.
The ACT has some of the strictest tree protection rules in the country. Here is what they mean for your backyard, plus what things cost and what to expect from us.
Permits and the law
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Canberra?
Often, yes. Tree removal in the ACT is regulated under the Urban Forest Act 2023. You need approval if the tree is over 8 metres tall, has a canopy wider than 8 metres, has a trunk circumference of 1 metre or more measured at 1.4 metres high, or is listed on the ACT Tree Register. Smaller trees can usually go without a permit, though location and species can still matter. We check at the quote and tell you plainly.
What happens if I remove a protected tree without a permit?
Significant fines and a replacement planting order under the Tree Protection Act 2005 and Urban Forest Act 2023. Not worth it. If you are unsure, ask us before anyone cuts.
How long does a permit take, and who does the paperwork?
Most take 2 to 4 weeks. An arborist report has to go in with the application. We prepare the report and write the application for you, and book the job for when approval lands.
If a tree is approved for removal, do I have to replace it?
Yes, one of two ways: plant two replacement trees for each tree removed, or pay a contribution, currently $600 per tree capped at $1,200.
What if the tree is dangerous right now?
Emergency removal can be permitted. Call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 for urgent authorisation, and call us. We will make it safe first and sort the rest. See emergency call-outs.
What about Queanbeyan?
Different rules: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council's tree management controls apply, not the ACT's. We work under both and will tell you which applies to your tree.
Costs
How much does tree removal cost in Canberra?
Most removals we do sit between $200 and $2,000 plus. The big variables are height, how close the tree is to structures, access for the chipper and loader, and whether it needs to be rigged down in pieces. Every quote is free, written and itemised.
How much does pruning cost?
Confirm: publish a range for pruning, e.g. from $X for a small deadwood to $Y for a large gum
How much is stump grinding?
Confirm: publish a range for stump grinding It is always a separate line on the quote so you can see it.
Do you charge for quotes?
No. Site visits and written quotes are free across Canberra and Queanbeyan.
Services and what to expect
What is the difference between lopping and pruning?
Lopping cuts large limbs back to stubs and stresses the tree into weak regrowth and decay. Pruning removes specific branches, at the collar, to improve structure and health. We prune to Australian Standard AS 4373 and we do not lop.
Do you take the green waste away?
Yes, chipped on site and removed, unless you would like the mulch left. Paths and driveways are swept before we leave.
What services do you offer?
Tree removal including crane-assisted, pruning and maintenance, stump grinding, deadwooding, powerline clearance Confirm: subject to accreditation, emergency tree work, arborist reports, cable bracing, hedge work, land clearing and wood chipping.
Will you tell my neighbours?
If the work affects the street or their access, yes. It is in the reviews because people notice.
Powerlines
Who is responsible for trees near powerlines?
Usually the property owner, for trees on their land. Required clearances are 1 metre from service lines or poles, 1.5 metres from low-voltage lines and 2 metres from high-voltage lines. Work inside those clearances must be done by an Evoenergy-accredited operator. Confirm: LiRo accredited, or partner used
Qualifications and trust
What qualifications should an arborist have?
At minimum a Certificate III in Arboriculture, public liability insurance, workers compensation, and working knowledge of ACT tree protection law. Our crew holds all of these Confirm: confirm who holds Cert III and we will send a certificate of currency with any quote on request.
What should I avoid when hiring a tree company?
Anyone who pushes for full removal without discussing alternatives, quotes suspiciously cheap, never mentions permits, uses climbing spikes on a living tree, or cannot show proof of insurance.
Tree health
How do I know if my tree is dangerous?
A heavy lean that is new, fungus at the base, dead or falling branches, root damage from works, cracks in the trunk, or a canopy dying back from the top. Some of it is obvious; some needs a trained eye. If you are unsure, send photos and we will tell you whether it needs a visit.
Is removal always necessary?
No. Targeted pruning, cable bracing and pest or disease management save a lot of trees. Removal is what we recommend when a tree is unsafe, badly damaged or beyond recovery, and we will show you why.
Free guide
10 signs a tree could be dangerous
A one-page checklist for walking around your own yard. What to look for at the base, the trunk, the canopy, and after a storm.
Concept. The download does not work on this page. The guide exists on the current site and moves across at production.
Still not sure?
Send photos. We will tell you whether it needs a permit, a prune, a removal, or nothing at all.