Tree Advice Centre
Clear answers before you make a decision, covering costs, council approval, safety, pruning, removal, clean-up and choosing the right help.
How should I use the Tree Advice Centre?
Start with the question closest to your concern, read the quick answer, then use the detailed guidance to prepare for a site inspection. The articles provide general homeowner information; they do not replace council approval, a tree-risk report or an on-site assessment.
- Use cost guides to understand the factors behind a quote, not to calculate a price from photographs.
- Use council and safety guides to identify the authority or professional you may need.
- Use pruning, removal and maintenance guides to compare practical options before deciding.
- Call Josh when the answer depends on the actual tree, access or surrounding property.
Advice built to be useful, not to fill a search result
Every guide answers the homeowner’s question first, explains the limits of general advice and points to official authorities where council, storm, electricity or infrastructure rules apply.
Josh Perryman has more than 20 years of hands-on tree-industry experience and has operated Leaf It To Me since 2010. He remains closely involved in site visits, quoting and most of the climbing and technical work.
Featured tree advice
How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Sydney? 2026 Price Guide
Tree removal in Sydney commonly starts at several hundred dollars for a small, straightforward tree and can reach several thousand dollars for a large or complex removal. As an indicative 2026 guide, allow about $400–$900 for a small tree, $900–$2,500 for a medium tree and $2,500–$6,500+ for a large or complex tree. Very large, hazardous or crane-assisted work may cost more. The only reliable figure is a written quote after an on-site inspection.
13 min read →Tree decisionsDo I need council approval to remove or prune a tree?
Possibly. Approval depends on the council, property, tree, proposed work and any heritage, biodiversity or development controls. Check the current rules for the address before pruning or removal. A contractor’s quote is not council approval.
11 min read →Safety & stormsSigns a tree may be dangerous
Warning signs can include a new lean, recent soil movement, major cracks, hanging branches, a split trunk, sudden canopy decline, large dead limbs or storm damage. These signs do not prove a tree will fail, but they justify keeping people clear and arranging a site assessment.
9 min read →Tree decisionsShould I remove or prune my tree?
Pruning is often suitable when the tree can be retained and the concern is specific, such as deadwood, clearance or selected damaged limbs. Removal may be more practical where the tree is severely damaged, declining, unsuitable for the location or cannot meet the required outcome through reasonable pruning.
8 min read →Planning the workPalm tree removal: a homeowner’s guide
Palm removal is usually planned in sections because the head, fronds and trunk pieces can be heavy and awkward. The safest practical method depends on palm condition, height, access, nearby roofs or pools, landing space and how material will leave the property.
10 min read →Pruning & maintenanceTree pruning guide for homeowners
Good pruning has a clear purpose: remove dead or damaged branches, create measured clearance, manage selected weight or improve a specific structural concern. The amount and cut locations should suit the individual tree. Indiscriminate topping is not a substitute for a pruning plan.
10 min read →Safety & stormsEmergency tree removal after storms
Keep people away from fallen trees and hanging branches. Call Triple Zero for a life-threatening emergency, NSW SES on 132 500 for storm emergency assistance, and the electricity distributor for fallen or damaged powerlines. Contact a tree contractor only after the immediate site can be approached safely.
9 min read →Safety & stormsTree removal safety: what homeowners should expect
Safe tree removal starts with a site-specific plan, clear work zone, controlled people and vehicle movement, suitable equipment and a method for each section. Homeowners should disclose services and access issues, stay outside the work zone and never approach trees or equipment near powerlines.
11 min read →Choosing a providerHow to choose a tree company
Choose a provider that inspects the site, explains who will do the technical work, writes a clear scope, identifies approval and utility questions, and states what happens to stumps and green waste. Verify insurance and any claimed qualifications directly from current documents.
11 min read →Find the answer you need
These guides provide general information, not a tree-risk report, council approval, engineering advice or an estimate from photos. Josh prepares quotes after inspecting the work on site.
Costs & quotes
3 guidesHow Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Sydney? 2026 Price Guide
How much does tree removal cost in Sydney? See typical 2026 price ranges, what affects the cost and what Northern Beaches homeowners should know.
Tree removal cost on the Northern Beaches
A local guide to the access, coastal exposure, slopes, shared spaces and approval questions that can affect a Northern Beaches tree-removal quote.
Tree removal cost on Sydney’s North Shore
How mature canopies, sloping blocks, long access routes, heritage settings and local council controls can shape a North Shore tree-removal quote.
Tree decisions
5 guidesDo I need council approval to remove or prune a tree?
A plain-English way to check tree-removal and pruning requirements across the Northern Beaches and North Shore before work begins.
Should I remove or prune my tree?
Start with the problem you need to solve, then compare what thoughtful pruning can achieve with the situations where removal may be more practical.
Are some Sydney trees more dangerous than others?
Why species lists are a poor substitute for inspecting condition, structure, roots, exposure and what surrounds an individual tree.
What should I do about tree roots in pipes?
Why a licensed plumber’s evidence should usually come before a tree-removal decision, and how to discuss the options without assuming the tree caused the original defect.
Is a tree too close to my house?
A practical way to assess clearance, roots, gutters, branches and recent changes before assuming distance alone means a tree must be removed.
Safety & storms
3 guidesSigns a tree may be dangerous
Learn which changes deserve prompt attention, what you can observe from a safe distance and when to keep clear rather than investigate.
Emergency tree removal after storms
What to do first around fallen trees, hanging branches and powerlines, and when an ordinary tree contractor becomes the appropriate next call.
Tree removal safety: what homeowners should expect
The questions a homeowner can ask about work zones, powerlines, access, rigging, equipment, communication and changing site conditions.
Pruning & maintenance
3 guidesTree pruning guide for homeowners
How to define the purpose of pruning, avoid vague requests for lopping and agree on an outcome that respects the tree and property.
What is the best time of year to prune trees?
Why pruning purpose, species, condition and weather matter more than a single calendar rule for every Sydney tree.
Practical tree maintenance tips for homeowners
A low-risk observation and record-keeping routine that helps homeowners notice changes early without climbing or attempting dangerous DIY tree work.
Planning the work
7 guidesPalm tree removal: a homeowner’s guide
What makes palm removal different, how access and heavy palm material affect the plan, and what to decide about the stump and clean-up.
Stump grinding explained
What stump grinding removes, what it leaves underground and which access, service and landscaping questions to settle before the quote.
How to prepare your property for tree removal
A practical pre-work checklist covering access, vehicles, pets, neighbours, services and what to confirm with Josh before the crew arrives.
How tree removal works
A step-by-step explanation of the site visit, work plan, climbing, ground operations, material processing and final clean-up.
What happens to green waste after tree work?
How branches, leaves, logs, palms and chip are processed, and what Leaf It To Me means by a thorough clean-up.
Can I keep the mulch from my tree work?
What to ask about material suitability, volume, placement and garden use before deciding to retain fresh wood chip.
How long does tree removal take?
Why tree size is only one timing factor and how access, rigging, material handling, weather and stump work shape the schedule.
Choosing a provider
3 guidesHow to choose a tree company
Compare the person attending, the written scope, safety planning, clean-up and evidence behind claims, not only the total at the bottom of the quote.
Questions to ask before hiring an arborist or tree contractor
A practical question list that distinguishes tree-work contractors, climbers and consulting arborists without assuming every job needs the same professional.
What insurance should a tree company have?
A practical guide to checking current insurance evidence before booking tree work for a residential, commercial or managed property.
Property managers
2 guidesCommercial tree services: a site manager’s planning guide
How to prepare a clear commercial tree-work brief covering authority, access, public movement, services, timing, waste and handover.
Strata tree services: what to organise before the quote
A practical checklist for authority, common property, residents, access, approvals, quote comparison and communication on strata tree work.
Experience where it helps. Official sources where they matter.
Safety, council and utility guidance links to official sources so you can check the requirements that apply to your property.
Property-specific decisions still require an on-site inspection and, where applicable, the relevant council, electricity network, licensed trade or qualified consultant.
Need a hand with your trees?
Call Josh to discuss the job or arrange a free on-site quote.