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 removal in Melbourne
Dead, leaning, too big for the block or just in the wrong spot. Our qualified arborists take trees down in sections, lower every piece on ropes and leave the site raked and clean.
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
How we take a tree down safely
Most Melbourne removals happen in back gardens with a house on one side, a fence on the other and a neighbour's shed somewhere underneath. Felling a tree in one piece is rarely an option. A climber or an elevated work platform takes the canopy apart from the top down, and each section is tied off and lowered on a rigging line so nothing drops on roofs, pools or garden beds.
Once the canopy is down we cut the trunk into manageable rounds, chip the branches on site and load the wood. If you want the stump gone as well, our grinder can follow on the same day.
- Sectional dismantling with rigging and lowering gear
- Crane or EWP access for large trees over buildings
- Compact machines for narrow side passages
- Powerline clearance arranged with the network provider
- Chipping, wood removal and a full rake-up included
When removal is the right call
We would rather save a tree than remove one, and we say so when pruning will fix the problem. Removal makes sense when a tree is dead or dying, has a structural defect such as a split union or root plate failure, is damaging foundations or pipes, or simply has no room left to grow on the block.
If you are not sure, book a free quote and the arborist will explain what they see. You get a written price and an honest opinion either way.
Council permits before any cutting
Every Melbourne council protects some trees on private land, and the rules differ from one municipality to the next. Some use a local law with size thresholds, others rely on planning overlays such as a Vegetation Protection Overlay or Heritage Overlay. Removing a protected tree without approval can mean fines and a replanting order.
We check the rules for your address before we quote, tell you whether a permit is likely, and prepare the arborist report council asks for when one is needed. Read our permit guide or see arborist tree reports.
What tree removal costs
Tree removal starts from $500 for a small tree with clear access. Large gums over a house, removals needing a crane or jobs with no machine access cost more because they take more people and more time. Every quote is free, written and fixed before we start. See the tree removal cost guide for typical price ranges.
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.
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
Great communication, responsive, fair price and excellent job removing our giant strelitzias. Would absolutely use again.
The business was very professional from start to finish. All staff were so helpful and polite. Would definitely recommend them.
Recent tree removal 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 removal
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 removal: your questions
Dead, leaning, too big for the block or just in the wrong spot.
Ask a questionCan you remove a tree without damaging my fence or roof?
Yes. Trees near structures are dismantled in sections and each piece is lowered on a rope, so nothing free falls. We carry public liability insurance and can show you the certificate before work starts.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Melbourne?
Sometimes. It depends on your council, the size and species of the tree and any planning overlays on your property. We check this for free at the quote.
How long does a tree removal take?
A small tree can be done in an hour or two. A large gum over a house with rigging and stump grinding can take a full day. Your quote will give a time estimate.
Do you take all the green waste away?
Yes. Branches are chipped and the wood is removed. If you want the mulch for your garden, tell us and we will leave a pile.
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.