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.
Tree lopping and tree cutting in Melbourne
Most people searching for a tree lopper want a tree cut back hard: lower, smaller, off the roof or out of the sun. We can do that, but we do it with reduction cuts that the tree can recover from.
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
What lopping actually means
Lopping is the old trade term for cutting branches off at an arbitrary point. It is quick, and it is why so many Melbourne gums and plane trees end up with a cluster of thin shoots sprouting from fat stubs. Those shoots are weakly attached and are the ones that tend to snap in a storm a few years later.
A qualified arborist gets the same result, a smaller and safer tree, by cutting back to a branch that can take over as the new leader. The tree stays in shape, heals better and needs less work next time.
Tree cutting jobs we do every week
- Height reduction on trees that have outgrown the block
- Cutting branches back off roofs, gutters and solar panels
- Clearing limbs over driveways, pools and play areas
- Boundary cutting for overhanging branches
- Cutting back conifers and hedges that have got away
- Cutting down whole trees, see tree removal
When a hard cut back is reasonable
Some trees handle hard cutting well. Many hedging species, willows used for coppicing and some fruit trees respond with healthy regrowth. Others, especially mature gums and conifers, decline or become dangerous. Our arborists will tell you which group your tree is in and give you options for each.
Tree down right now?
Emergency teams across Melbourne, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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.
What Melbourne customers say
Real reviews from our Google Business Profile, word for word. Read them all on Google, or leave one after your job.
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
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.
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.
- Requested quote Tuesday morning
- Quoted Tuesday Morning
- Works completed Tuesday afternoon
Clean, professional, quick.
Redback were an amazing company to deal with from Initial quoting to completing the job. I would highly recommend this company.
Great service at reasonable cost. Staff courteous and helpful. Came when they said they would. Recommend the service
Recent tree cutting & lopping jobs
Photos from real Redback jobs across Melbourne.
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 tree cutting & lopping
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.
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.
Tree cutting & lopping: your questions
Most people searching for a tree lopper want a tree cut back hard: lower, smaller, off the roof or out of the sun.
Ask a questionIs tree lopping illegal in Melbourne?
Lopping itself is not illegal, but lopping a protected tree without a permit can be. Several councils treat heavy cutting of a protected tree the same as removal.
What is the difference between a tree lopper and an arborist?
Anyone with a chainsaw can call themselves a tree lopper. An arborist holds an AQF qualification in arboriculture, works to Australian Standard AS 4373 and is trained in tree biology, rigging and safety.
How much does tree cutting cost?
It depends on height, access and how much needs to come off. Small cut-backs start from $500. Quotes are free and written.
More services
Most jobs combine a few of these. We can quote them together.
Tree problem? Get a straight answer.
Free on-site quotes across Melbourne. Emergency teams on call 24/7.