Tree removal in Pakenham & Cardinia Shire.
From a 6m wattle on a Pakenham new build to a 28m blue gum overhanging a Beaconsfield roofline, we drop, climb and section trees safely. Cert IV arborists, $20M public liability, council permits lodged on your behalf if needed. Fixed-price quote, chips removed, clean site.
How we approach a removal.
1. The walk-around.
Before any chainsaw fires we walk the tree. We’re looking for codominant stems with bark inclusions, fungal brackets (ganoderma, armillaria, phellinus), basal cavities, included branches, cracks across the union, lean change. We check the drop zone for buried services (NBN, gas, irrigation), the chipper path, and exclusion zones for pets and kids. Then we plan the cut sequence.
2. The right access method.
- Whole-tree drop: Open paddock, no targets, predictable lean. Cheapest. Used for land clearing and rural blocks.
- Sectional climbed removal: Climber ascends with throwline + harness, sections lowered on rigging ropes piece-by-piece. Standard for backyard removals next to houses.
- EWP (cherry picker) access: When ground is firm and we can get the truck within ~10m of the tree, the EWP basket is faster and safer than climbing.
- Spider-lift access: For tight gates, soft ground or steep blocks where a truck-mounted EWP won’t go. Fits through a 900mm gate.
- Crane assist: Large removals where sectional rigging would take too long, or where the tree has structural defects that make climbing it dangerous. Crane lifts each section out clean.
3. The cut sequence.
Top down. Brush first (limbs under 100mm), then secondary scaffolds, then the main scaffolds, then the trunk in 2–4m sections. Each section is rigged to a lowering line before it’s cut, so nothing drops uncontrolled. Anything that has to swing past a roofline gets a tag-line ground operator. The chipper runs continuously to keep the drop zone clear.
4. Stump and cleanup.
Stump can be cut flush or ground below grade depending on what you’re doing with the space afterwards. Chips removed, brush raked, log lengths stacked if you want firewood. We blow the driveway clean before we leave.
Typical Cardinia Shire removals (and what they cost).
- $800–$1,800: Small backyard wattle, peppercorn or fruit tree, 4–8m, easy access, no targets. Half a day.
- $1,800–$3,500: Mid-sized gum or oak 8–15m, sectional climb next to a house, EWP access available. Full day.
- $3,500–$7,500: Mature blue gum or messmate 15–25m, climbed sectional, rigging required, tight clearance. 1–2 days.
- $7,500–$15,000: Hazardous mature tree, powerline proximity, crane required, multi-day. Often follows a storm-callout assessment.
- + $150–$500: Stump grinding (separate visit unless quoted bundled).
What drives the price.
- Height & trunk diameter — bigger trees = more sections, more rigging time.
- Targets within drop zone — house, shed, fence, pool, garden bed = more rigging, slower work.
- Access for chipper and EWP — if we can get a truck within 10m, we save 30–50% on climbing time.
- Powerline proximity — No-Go Zone work requires accredited climbers and sometimes power isolation.
- Species and condition — dead/decayed trees are higher-risk and priced accordingly.
Where we work.
Get a fixed-price removal quote.
Free on-site assessment within 2–5 working days. Storm emergencies same day.