Land clearing in Melbourne

Building sites, subdivisions, fence lines and blocks that have been left to grow wild. We remove the trees, grind the stumps and clear the scrub so the next trade can start on bare ground.

Get a free quote 03 9988 9175

Get a free quote

Free on-site quote, written and fixed. Add photos and we can often price it faster.

AQF qualified arborists15+ years of experience4.9 from 749+ Google reviews$20m public liability24/7 emergency teams

Large tree removal by Redback arborists — What land clearing covers

What land clearing covers

Clearing a block is several jobs in one: taking the trees down, grinding or digging out the stumps, cutting out the scrub and weeds, and getting all of it off site. We bring the climbers, chippers, stump grinders and trucks to do the lot, so you deal with one team and one price.

Typical jobs are house sites before demolition or a new build, rear yards being subdivided, fence lines and driveways on larger blocks, and properties that have been empty for years.

Tree removal and sectional dismantling near buildings
Stump grinding below ground level across the whole site
Scrub, blackberry, bamboo and woody weed removal
Fence line and driveway clearing on acreage
Green waste chipped and carted away, or mulch left on site

Get a free quote See typical prices

Permits and protected trees

This is the step that catches people out. Many Melbourne councils protect large trees through local laws or planning overlays, and native vegetation on bigger blocks is covered by state planning rules. Clearing first and asking later can lead to fines and a stop on your build.

Before we quote, we check which trees on the block are protected and which can go. Where a planning application needs it, our consulting arborist prepares the arborist report and the tree protection plan for any trees that are staying. See our permit guide for how the rules work.

Tree removal by Redback arborists — Clearing for builders and developers

Clearing for builders and developers

Builders need the site handed over on time and in a state the next trade can use. We work to your program, keep retained trees fenced and untouched, grind stumps to the depth your slab or footings need and leave the site clear of debris.

For blocks with trees close to neighbours, powerlines or the street, we handle the traffic management and network coordination the job calls for.

What land clearing costs

Land clearing starts from $500 for a small yard. The price depends on the number and size of trees, how many stumps are being ground, access for machinery and how much material has to leave the site. Larger sites are priced after a walk-through with an arborist. For a single tree, see tree removal.

Tree down right now?

Emergency teams across Melbourne, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

03 9988 9175

15+years of tree work across Melbourne

Why Melbourne homeowners choose Redback

A local team you can actually reach, with the qualifications and insurance to do the job properly.

Qualified arborists only

Every job is led by an AQF qualified arborist. No labourers handed a chainsaw.

$20 million insured

Public liability on every job. We send the certificate before we start if you want it.

Honest advice

If a tree does not need to come down, we tell you. Plenty of quotes end in a prune, not a removal.

Fixed written quotes

Free on-site quote, price in writing, no extras added on the day.

Permits handled

We check council rules for your address and write the arborist report if one is needed.

24/7 emergencies

Three branches and on-call teams mean faster response when a tree comes down.

Get a free quote 03 9988 9175 About Redback

What Melbourne customers say

4.9 from 749+ Google reviews

Real reviews from our Google Business Profile, word for word. Read them all on Google, or leave one after your job.

An old tree died. Crew quickly removed it and used a nifty small fast moving tractor to gather and move it 200 ft to mulching machine

Marcel DayanDead tree removal · Google review

Excellent service from start to finish. Great communication, and an excellent job with both tree pruning and tree removal, including stump grinding I required. The quote was provided in person, the price was very reasonable and competitive, and they were able to fit me in that same afternoon to complete the job! Everything was completed professionally and efficiently. Would definitely recommend!

Laura ChampionTree pruning, removal and stump grinding · Google review

Redback have now completed the removal of some unwanted overgrown trees in both the front and backyards of our residential home and we cannot fault them. They are efficient, well priced and leave the site completely spotless. Highly recommend them for removal of any unwanted or overgrown trees on your property

RyanTree removal · Google review

Good communication and friendly staff. I'd definitely use them again. They removed a tree and pruned 3 other tall trees for me, and when one of their chainsaws leaked oil onto my pavers they, without question, arranged for another contractor to come out and clean the pavers before issuing the final invoice. Good service.

Glenn BTree removal and pruning · Google review

Very professional. Punctual and communication was great! The tree removal team, and stump grinding operator were both great to deal with. Very friendly and super efficient! Anniek in the office was lovely to deal with too! Great job, thank you.

Jay LeeTree removal and stump grinding · Google review

- Requested quote Tuesday morning
- Quoted Tuesday Morning
- Works completed Tuesday afternoon
Clean, professional, quick.

LawrenceStump grinding · Google review

Dingley Village reviews on Google Ormond reviews on Google Greensborough reviews on Google

Recent land clearing jobs

Photos from real Redback jobs across Melbourne.

96+View more of our work

How a job runs

You know the price, the plan and who is turning up before any cutting starts.

Send photos or call
Tell us what the tree is doing. Photos help us bring the right gear.
Free on-site quote
An arborist checks the tree, access and what is underneath, then gives you a fixed price.
Permits checked
We confirm the council rules and handle the report if one is needed.
The work
A qualified team does the job to Australian Standards.
Clean-up
Branches chipped, wood removed, site raked. Mulch left if you want it.

Where we do land clearing

Three branches cover all of metropolitan Melbourne. Pick your suburb for local council rules and your nearest team. All areas

Meet the arborists

Every job is led by a qualified arborist. These are some of the people who will turn up at your place.

The Redback Tree Services team at the depot

Nathan Hawes

Lead consulting arborist, Level 3

Writes our arborist reports for council permits and VCAT, carries out tree risk assessments and oversees complex jobs. More than ten years in residential, commercial and council arboriculture.

Brayden Matthews

Tree removal specialist

Focuses on difficult removals: tight back gardens, narrow side passages and trees that have to come down piece by piece over buildings.

Wylie Taylor

Stump grinding specialist, 30+ years

Has ground stumps of every species and size across Melbourne for more than three decades, from narrow-gate jobs to big gum stumps.

Ben Jackman

Arborist, Certificate V

Specialises in pruning large established trees, technical climbing in confined spaces and ongoing hedge maintenance programs.

Tom Massey

Arborist, Level 3

Strong on technical pruning and structure, confined-space removals and hedge trimming programs.

Jason Ball

Arborist, Level 2, 25+ years

A generalist with more than 25 years across all tree services, confined-space stump work and complex removals.

Land clearing: your questions

Building sites, subdivisions, fence lines and blocks that have been left to grow wild.

Ask a question

Do I need a permit to clear my block in Melbourne?

It depends on the council, the size and species of the trees and any planning overlays on the land. We check this before quoting and tell you which trees need approval.

Can you clear a block and leave some trees?

Yes. Retained trees are marked and protected before work starts, and we can prune them so they are safe to build near.

Do you remove the stumps as well?

Yes. Stumps are ground below the surface as part of the job. Tell us if your builder needs a particular depth.

How long does land clearing take?

A standard house block with a handful of trees is usually one to two days. Larger or heavily treed sites take longer, and the quote includes a time estimate.

How much does land clearing cost?

Land clearing starts from $500 for a small yard. Bigger sites are priced on the trees, stumps, access and volume of green waste after a free site visit.