The short answer
Tree lopping around Scarborough is priced per job, not per hour or per metre, because two trees of the same height can be very different to work on. As a planning guide for 2026, in Australian dollars and including GST:
| Job | Typical planning band | What usually sits in the band |
|---|---|---|
| Light pruning or lopping of a small tree (under about 5 m) | $300 to $700 | Open access, cuts from the ground or a short climb, clippings removed |
| Lopping or crown reduction of a medium tree (about 5 to 10 m) | $700 to $1,800 | Climbing work, branches lowered past a roof or fence, waste chipped and taken away |
| Removal of a large tree near a house (over about 10 m) | $1,800 to $5,500 or more | Sectional takedown with ropes, tight access, wood removed; stump usually extra |
| Hedge and screen trimming | $250 to $900 | Depends on length, height and how overgrown; waste removed |
| Stump grinding | $150 to $600 per stump | Size of stump, access for the machine, depth, grindings removed or left |
These are planning figures, not quotes. Prices vary with the conditions on your block, and a large or complex removal can exceed the top of the range. An on-site quote is needed for any real figure.
What pushes the price up
Access. The single biggest factor on Scarborough blocks. A tree in an open front yard with verge access is quicker than one in a rear courtyard reached through a narrow side gate, down steps, or only through the house.
What is underneath. Roofs, pergolas, pool fences, glass, solar panels and the neighbour's shed all mean branches must be lowered on ropes rather than dropped, which takes longer and needs more people.
Height and spread. Taller and wider trees take longer to climb, cut and bring down, and produce more material to process.
Tree condition. Dead, decayed or storm-damaged trees can be unpredictable and are slower to work safely.
Power lines. Trees near the service line to your house, or near Western Power's network, may need extra controls or coordination before work can go ahead.
Waste. Chipping and removing all the material costs more than leaving logs or mulch on site. Palm fronds and some species are harder to process.
Stump. Grinding is usually priced separately. If you want the stump left, say so.
Crane or elevated platform. For very large trees, hiring a crane can make the job faster and safer but adds to the cost.
What can bring it down
- having several trees or hedges done in one visit
- leaving the logs cut to length for firewood, or keeping the mulch
- regular light pruning, which avoids expensive heavy work later
- clear access on the day: cars moved, gates open, pets inside
Palm trees
Palms are priced a little differently. A clean-out of dead fronds and seed stalks on a reachable palm is a modest job. Removing a tall cotton palm or a big date palm beside a house can be a substantial one, because the heavy head must be lowered in pieces. As a rough planning guide, palm removals around Scarborough often sit between $500 and $2,500 depending on height, species and access.
How to compare quotes
A cheap quote is not always a good deal. When you have more than one price, check that each covers:
- The same scope: which trees, which limbs, how much height or spread
- The method: climbing and lowering, or felling, and how the property is protected
- The stump: ground, cut low or left
- The waste: chipped and removed, or left on site
- Clean-up: raking, blowing down paths and paving
- Insurance: ask to see a current certificate of public liability insurance
- Payment terms: when payment is due and how
If one quote is much cheaper, ask what has been left out.
Things that are not usually in the price
- council fees or reports, if any approval is needed for your tree
- arborist reports, which some councils, insurers or builders ask for
- repairs to structures already damaged by a tree
- replanting or landscaping after removal
Getting a quote
Call (08) 7665 9044 or use the form below. Photos of the whole tree, the base, and what is around it help the contractor plan the visit. You can read more about each type of work on the tree lopping, tree removal, pruning and hedges, stump grinding and storm damage pages.