2026 planning bands
These figures are a guide only, in Australian dollars, for typical residential jobs around Melbourne. They are not quotes. The real price depends on the tree, the site and what is included, and every job needs an on-site quote.
| Job | Typical situation | Guide price (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree removal | Under about 5 m, open access, no climbing | $400 to $1,000 |
| Medium tree removal | Some climbing or rigging, near a fence or shed | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Large tree removal | Big gum, elm or cypress close to the house | $2,500 to $6,000 or more |
| Stump grinding | Per stump, varies with width and access | $150 to $600 |
| Stump removal | Excavator dig-out of stump and root plate | $500 to $2,000 or more |
| Palm tree removal | Depends on species, height and crown weight | $400 to $2,500 or more |
| Bamboo removal | Per clump or area, including rhizome digging | $500 to $3,000 or more |
The upper ends are not ceilings. Very large trees, difficult access or crane work can exceed them.
What pushes a price up
Access
Access is often the biggest single factor in Melbourne. A tree in an open backyard with a wide driveway is quick. The same tree behind a terrace in the inner north, reached only through a narrow side passage or a bluestone laneway, means every piece of wood is carried by hand.
What is underneath
Roofs, glasshouses, solar panels, pools, period fences and the neighbour's garage all mean the tree has to be lowered in smaller pieces with ropes. That takes more time and more crew.
Slope
Steep blocks in the eastern foothills and on the hills of Frankston South mean nothing can be dropped freely. Wood is lowered and carried, and machines may not be able to reach the tree.
Size and species
Height matters, but so does weight and wood. A heavy cypress or a dense old red gum takes longer to cut and lower than a light, fast-growing tree of the same height. Large Canary Island date palm crowns are very heavy for their size.
Power lines
Work near powerlines needs people authorised to do it, and sometimes a power shutdown or line protection has to be arranged. Mention any wires when you ask for a quote.
Stump and wood
Leaving the stump and keeping the logs costs less than grinding the stump and removing everything. Decide what you want before you compare quotes.
Permits and reports
If the tree needs a council permit, there may be an application fee and, in some cases, an arborist report. Our permit guide explains the controls.
What brings a price down
- Grouping work. Several trees and stumps on one visit cost less than separate call-outs.
- Keeping the wood or mulch. Less to cart away means less disposal cost.
- Clear access. Moving cars, trailers and garden furniture before the crew arrives saves time.
- Flexibility on timing. Non-urgent work can be fitted into a contractor's schedule.
Costs across different parts of Melbourne
Location changes price mostly through access and ground, not through postcode. Inner-north and inner-east jobs, such as those in Brunswick and Hawthorn, often involve laneways, narrow side passages and large old trees close to period homes, so more time goes into rigging and carrying. Foothill blocks around Mooroolbark and Ferntree Gully add slope and, often, permit questions about remnant gums. In the south east, around Springvale, Dandenong and Cranbourne, flat ground usually helps, though cleared development sites can involve many trees and stumps at once. Around Frankston and Mornington, big cypress and pine windbreaks are common, and their wide stumps take longer to grind.
How to compare quotes fairly
A cheap quote is not good value if it leaves the stump, the logs and a damaged fence behind. When you compare, check that each quote says:
- Which trees are being removed, clearly identified.
- How each will come down: climbed, platform, crane or felled.
- What happens to the stump and to what depth if ground.
- Whether wood and green waste are removed or left.
- How fences, roofs and gardens are protected.
- Who is responsible for any council permit.
We ask the contractors we work with to hold the licences and insurance the job needs. Ask to see them before work starts, and get the quote in writing.
Prices by service
For more on each kind of job, see tree removal, stump grinding, stump removal, palm tree removal and bamboo removal.
Answers to the questions we hear most
Why can't I get an exact price over the phone?
Access, slope, what is underneath the tree, nearby power lines and permit questions all change the work involved. Photos help, but a fair price needs someone to see the tree and the site.
Is the stump included in a tree removal price?
Not always. Many quotes cut the tree close to the ground and price stump grinding separately. Check that the quote says what happens to the stump.
Why do quotes for the same tree vary so much?
Quotes differ in method, equipment, clean-up and what is included. Compare them line by line: stump, wood removal, protection of fences and roofs, and who handles any permit.
Does a council permit cost extra?
Councils set their own application fees and processes, and some require an arborist report. Ask your council about fees, and ask the contractor whether any report or application help is included.
Do you charge for quotes?
Quotes arranged through Tree Solutions VIC are free and given on site.