Tree Lopping & Removal FAQs, Townsville

It depends on the tree and where it is. Most everyday backyard trees on a normal suburban block can be removed without a permit. But some native vegetation is protected, some properties fall under vegetation overlays in the Townsville City Plan, and all marine plants (like mangroves) are protected under Queensland law. Trees on the footpath or nature strip belong to council: don't touch those, apply to Townsville City Council instead. If we think your tree might need approval, we'll tell you when we quote, and council has the final say.

No. Footpath and nature strip trees are council's. You can apply to Townsville City Council to have one looked at, but they generally won't remove a healthy tree just for dropping leaves, flowers or fruit, or because it's blocking a view.

Generally no. Mangroves and other marine plants are protected under state law, even on private land. Get advice before touching them.

In Queensland, the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011 makes the owner of the tree (the "tree-keeper") responsible for branches that overhang next door. Start with a friendly chat. If branches overhang your land by at least 50cm and are 2.5m or less above the ground, you can give your neighbour a formal notice (QCAT Form 3) asking them to cut them back. If they don't, you can have the work done and recover some of the cost from them. For bigger problems, like branches higher up, or a tree threatening serious damage, you can apply to QCAT. Whatever happens, don't cut past your boundary or damage the tree so badly it dies. That can land you in trouble. Have a look at qcat.qld.gov.au for the details, or ask us and we'll explain what we're seeing.

Usually your own home insurance covers damage to your property, and they'll sort out the rest. Take plenty of photos before anything's moved, call your insurer, then call us to make it safe and clear it.

Roughly $300 to $900 for a small tree, $900 to $2,700 for a medium one, and $2,700 to $6,500 for a big one. Very large trees, crane jobs or trees over powerlines can cost more. Access is the big one: a tree you can drive up to is a lot cheaper than one in a tight backyard. See our full price guide or send us a photo for a free quote.

Small stumps (under 30cm across) are usually $160–$330, medium ones $270–$550 and big ones $430 to around $1,000. It's cheaper per stump when we do a few at once.

Not automatically. Some people want the stump left. We always list it as a separate line on the quote so you know exactly what you're paying for.

It's dangerous work that needs a trained crew, a lot of expensive gear (chippers, grinders, climbing and rigging equipment), proper insurance, and time to carry everything out of the yard and clean up. A cheap job done badly can cost you a roof or a fence.

Yes. Jorge will come and look at it, or you can send a photo for a ballpark first.

Ideally September to early November, before the wet kicks in. Cyclone season in North Queensland runs November to April, and once a system's on the radar every tree service in town is booked out.

Not if it's done badly. Hacking a tree back to stubs, or stripping out all the inside branches, can actually make it weaker and more likely to fail. Proper crown thinning lets the wind through the canopy and takes weight off the heavy limbs, which is what helps.

From what we see after storms: poincianas (shallow roots), big rain trees and African mahoganies dropping heavy limbs, old figs with root damage, and anything dead or full of white ants. Coconut palms are pretty wind-tough, but the coconuts become missiles, so get them de-nutted.

Stay well away and keep the kids and dogs back. If it's the main lines in the street, ring Ergon Energy on 13 16 70. For the line running from the pole to your house, we can work with Ergon to get it made safe so the tree can be cut.

People use "lopping" to mean cutting a tree back. Proper pruning means making the right cuts in the right places so the tree stays healthy and doesn't throw up weak, dangerous regrowth. Old-style lopping, which chops every limb back to a stub, does the opposite. Whatever you call it, we'll cut it back the right way.

Not always, but in Townsville a dead stump is an open invitation for white ants, and they don't stop at the stump. Stumps also trip people up, get in the way of mowing and can sprout back. Grinding it below ground level fixes all of that.

Straight after it's finished fruiting. That way you're not cutting off next season's flowers, and you can keep it at a height where you can actually reach the fruit.

Yes. Everything gets chipped on site and taken away. If you want the mulch for your garden, we'll leave it. It's great for holding moisture in our clay soils through the dry.

Not always. As long as we can get into the yard and the dog's locked up, we can get on with it. We'll confirm everything before the day.