Service
Tree pruning and trimming
We prune trees to the Australian pruning standard, AS 4373: deadwood out, branches cleared from roofs, gutters and power lines, and heavy limbs reduced so the tree carries less weight in a storm. Every cut is made at the branch collar, never by lopping. Most councils limit how much you can prune without a permit, and we'll tell you where your council's line is.
- Standard
- AS 4373 Pruning of amenity trees
- Access
- Climbers and EWPs
- Near power lines
- Electrical Close Approach licences
- Quotes
- Free, on site
Good pruning is mostly about what you leave
A tree needs its leaves to feed itself. Take too much and it replaces them in a hurry, with a thicket of weak shoots. So a good pruning job is usually lighter than people expect: the dead wood goes, crossing and rubbing branches go, anything over the roof comes back to a sensible side branch, and the long heavy limbs are shortened so the tree carries less weight at the ends.
What we prune for
- Deadwood: dead branches are the ones that fall first in wind.
- Clearance: off the roof, gutters, driveway, solar panels, the neighbour’s side.
- Weight reduction: shortening long limbs that sway over something you care about.
- Light and views: thinning the crown lets light through without topping the tree.
- Formative pruning: young trees shaped early save a lot of expensive work later.
When a permit is needed
Most councils across Sydney allow some pruning without approval, such as deadwood removal or a small percentage of the canopy. More than that needs a permit, just like a removal. The limits differ by council, so check yours on the council rules pages.
How it works
What happens, step by step.
No surprises on the day. You'll know what we're doing and why before we start.
Say what's bothering you
Branches on the roof, leaves in the gutters, a limb over the neighbour's yard, the tree looks unbalanced, you want more light.
We look at the tree
We check its health and structure, what can be removed within the standard, and whether your council needs a permit for the amount of pruning involved.
Pruning, done properly
A climber or EWP operator removes deadwood and the agreed branches, cutting just outside the branch collar.
Clean-up
Branches are chipped on site and everything is raked and blown.
Our work
Recent pruning and trimming jobs.
Climbing a gum for pruning
Deadwood and weight reduction by a climber, each cut made just outside the branch collar as the pruning standard AS 4373 sets out.
EWP pruning at a brick building
An elevated work platform gets the arborist to the canopy without climbing or damaging the tree.
EWP in a tall gum
Questions
Pruning & trimming: common questions.
What's the difference between pruning and lopping?
Lopping cuts branches off between their natural joins, leaving stubs. The tree grows a mass of weakly attached shoots from them that break easily later. Proper pruning removes a branch back to its point of origin or to a suitable side branch, so the tree can close off the wound. Lopping is not an accepted practice under AS 4373 and many councils treat it as damaging a tree.
How much can I prune without a council permit?
It depends on your council. Several allow deadwood removal and pruning of a small percentage of the canopy each year without approval, and some allow clearance from a building. Anything more needs a permit. Check your council's page.
Can you trim branches near power lines?
Near the service wire from the street to your house, yes: our arborists hold Electrical Close Approach licences. Ausgrid's rule is that you are responsible for your own trees near your service line on your property, while Ausgrid clears trees on the council verge and on neighbouring land. Anything near the street's network lines is for the network (Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy) and its authorised contractors only.
When is the best time to prune?
Most Sydney natives can be pruned any time of year. Late winter and early spring suit deciduous trees, and we avoid heavy pruning just before summer heat. If a branch is dangerous, the right time is now.
Pruning & trimming near you
We're a Sutherland Shire business. Shire suburbs:
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