Have you got a tree on your block that’s unsafe, past its prime or in an inconvenient position? It might be time to get it removed. Whatever the reason, removing a tree is a dangerous process. Without a professional, it’s common for tree removal to cause damage to the property or injure someone.  

Common reasons to remove a tree

Trees are a beautiful addition to any garden but there are several reasons why it may be necessary to remove one from your property. There are four common reasons why people get a tree removed. 

Dead trees

If you notice that your tree is dead or dying, it will probably be best to remove it as soon as possible. If left where it stands, it will slowly weaken until it falls. This could cause damage to your property, your neighbour's property, or injure anyone in the vicinity. 

Some signs that your tree might be dead include:

• No new leaves or buds growing even during its growth season
• A leaning tree
• Dead branches or branches falling randomly 
• Thinning or browning leaves in evergreen trees
• Visible rot or wounds
• Obvious signs of infestation or pest damage
• Vertical cracks in the trunk

Dying trees 

If a tree is dying, it may also be weakening and cause safety concerns. When it comes to a sick tree, it’s always best to call an arborist in to check. They’ll be able to tell you if your tree is likely to recover and whether you should have it removed. 

In other cases, they may be able to save the tree. It’s possible to get a tree surgeon to treat sickness or disease. It’s always best to try and save your trees rather than removing them entirely but if your tree surgeon or arborist says that it needs to be removed then there’s likely nothing that can be done. 

Some signs that your tree might be sick, diseased or infested include:

• Randomly losing branches with no obvious sign of damage
• Abnormal bark peeling
• Visible wounds or open cavities
• Losing leaves, especially when they are discoloured
• Depressions in the wood
• Stunted growth
• Tunnels inside the wood or D-shaped exit holes from insects 
• Thinning canopy or leaf damage 
• Visible larvae, egg masses or large silken tents 
• Obvious signs of fungal growth
• Decaying branches 

There are a lot of signs that a tree could be in trouble, whenever you’re in doubt, it’s best to call an arborist. 

The tree is in a bad location

Sometimes the tree in question will be in the wrong location. There can be several reasons that you want it removed from where it is, ranging from aesthetic to safety.

It’s common for a tree to be removed if its location is hazardous. Whether that means that it’s likely to cause property damage or personal harm. Trees frequently need to be removed if they are:

• Too close to your home
• At the risk of growing into power lines or falling on them
• Near other structures 
• Growing roots underneath structures and causing property damage
• Growing into someone else’s property

If you know that the tree cannot remain where it is, you can either have it felled or have it transplanted. Larger trees may be harder to transplant and so the only option can be to remove the tree completely. 

For smaller trees, there is the possibility of simply moving them. Your arborist or tree removalist can advise you on whether this is possible. They will also likely be able to suggest where they should be moved to.

The tree is invasive

Some trees look beautiful but cause serious damage to everything else in your garden. Particularly when the tree is not native, it can throw off the ecosystem of your garden and the surrounding area by suppressing biodiversity, taking resources needed by native plants and stunting the growth of nearby trees. 

Invasive species in Australia include:

• Camphor laurel, Cinnamomum camphora
• White poplar, Populus alba
• Evergreen alder, Alnus acuminata
• Pride of Bolivia, Tipuana tipu
• Palms, Arecaceae
• Liquidambar, Liquidambar styraciflua
• Silver Maple, Acer saccharinum

There are some situations in which you may need to remove a tree. Such situations include:

• A tree that is not in the right position
• Before construction
• Trees that are dead or dying
• Trees that are posing a risk to the safety of the building, its occupants or other people on the property

Tree removal should only be done after consulting with the local council. Your arborist will be able to do this for you and gain all of the necessary permissions.

Stump removal

As well as removing the tree itself, an arborist will also remove the stump that is left behind. This is most commonly done using a stump grinder. It is important to remove the stump for several reasons – it may regrow, it may decay and rot, attracting termites and funguses, and it often looks unattractive in the garden.

Another advantage of using an arborist to remove your tree is that they will be able to remove the debris from the tree removal so that you do not have to worry about cleaning up afterwards.

If your tree has already been removed but the stump remains, you will likely still need a professional stump removalist to remove it. Stumps can be incredibly hard to remove but arborists have the tools and equipment to do it quickly and safely. They can also turn the stump into useable mulch to aid in water retention and weed prevention

Cost of tree removal

Tree removal costs can range from $250 to $10,000 or more, depending on the job. In general, expect to pay between:

• $250 - $950 for a small tree (5–6m)
• $650 - $1,500 for a medium tree (6–9m)
• $1,000 - $3,500 for a large tree (9–20m)
• $2,500 - $10,000 for extra large trees (20–50m)

Stump removal can cost:

• $100-$150 for a tree with a 500mm diameter
• $150-$200 for a tree with a one-metre diameter
• $300+ for a tree with a two-metre diameter

Questions to ask when hiring a tree removalist

When hiring an arborist, you should make sure that they are fully insured for worker’s compensation and public liability. Also, ensure that they are qualified and that they are prepared to give you a quote on the project that you are having carried out before actually commencing work.

When choosing an arborist, a few questions you should ask include:

• Are you licensed, registered and insured?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• What other work do you have at the moment?
• Who is supervising the work?
• What deposit do you require?
• When can you start?
• Who is cleaning the site once the work has been completed?