Arborist · North Shore
Arborist services on the north shore
Not every tree problem needs a chainsaw. An arborist can tell you whether a tree is sound, what pruning will fix, and whether council is likely to approve removal.
What an arborist checks
Arborists are trained in how trees grow, fail and respond to pruning. On a site visit they look at:
- The trunk and root plate: cracks, cavities, lean that has changed recently, and soil heaving on one side.
- Fungal fruiting bodies at the base or on the trunk, which can point to internal decay.
- Dead and hanging branches, and limbs with weak unions.
- Clearance from roofs, gutters, driveways and power lines.
- How the tree sits within your council's protection rules.
Qualifications that matter
In Australia, arborist qualifications run on the AQF scale. Practical tree work is done by arborists with at least AQF Level 3 (Certificate III in Arboriculture). Reports for councils and development are written by consulting arborists with AQF Level 5 (Diploma of Arboriculture).
North shore councils lean on these levels. North Sydney requires protected trees to be pruned or removed by a qualified arborist and accepts an AQF 3 arborist's written confirmation that a tree is dead. Lane Cove and Willoughby want AQF 5 reports where a report is needed.
Work done to the standards
Pruning follows AS 4373-2007 Pruning of amenity trees, which sets out where cuts are made and how much of a tree can be taken. Trees near building work are protected under AS 4970-2009 Protection of trees on development sites. Councils on the north shore reference both, and work outside AS 4373 can be treated as unauthorised.
Common arborist jobs
Arborist services by suburb
We cover the lower and upper north shore. Local pages:
Common questions
How do I know if my tree is dangerous?
Warning signs include a new or worsening lean, cracks in the trunk or main unions, mushrooms or bracket fungi at the base, large dead branches, and soil lifting on one side after wind. If you see any of these, get it looked at before the next storm.
Can an arborist help me get council approval?
An arborist can tell you whether the tree is protected, whether an exemption applies, and what evidence your council will want. Where a formal report is needed, it's written by an AQF Level 5 consulting arborist. Willoughby Council requires that the report writer has no financial ties to a tree removal company, so we refer those reports to an independent consultant.
Do you service my suburb?
We cover the lower and upper north shore, from Mosman, Neutral Bay and Cremorne across to Chatswood and Lane Cove, and up through Roseville, Gordon, Pymble, St Ives and Wahroonga.
Need a tree looked at?
Tell us the suburb and send a photo. We'll tell you what's involved, whether council needs to approve it, and what it should cost.