Tree Removal

Tree Removal Wellington

Premier Tree Surgeons removes trees of every size across Wellington, from a single dead tree in a back garden to large pines and macrocarpas on steep or awkward sections. Our NZQA qualified arborists dismantle trees safely in sections, protect your house, fences and neighbouring property, and leave the site clear. We are based in Karori and cover Wellington city and the wider region.

Get a free quote 0275 499 100

Arborist roped to the top of a cut-back trunk, dismantling it in sections against a blue sky

Safe tree removal across Wellington by qualified, insured arborists

If you are not sure whether a tree needs to come down, we will tell you honestly. Where pruning or a crown reduction will solve the problem for less, we will say so. Quotes are free and without obligation.

Green Premier Trees truck on a paved driveway beside a pile of cut logs, with a tree being taken down behind

When a tree should be removed, and when it should not

Removal is the right call when a tree is dead or dying, when the trunk or main limbs show cracks, cavities or decay, when the root plate has started to lift after a storm, or when roots are damaging foundations, drains, retaining walls or a driveway. It is also often the only practical option when a tree stands exactly where a new build, a fence line or a fibre connection has to go.

Many trees that owners want gone do not need to be removed. A healthy tree that has simply grown too large for its spot can usually be brought back to a manageable size with a crown reduction. Branches over a roof, a path or a neighbour's garden can be dealt with by selective pruning. A tree that blocks light can often be thinned rather than felled. We look at the tree before quoting and recommend the least drastic option that actually fixes the problem.

Arborist in hi-vis sitting on the stump of a very large felled tree in bush, with split timber around it

Qualified, insured and working to New Zealand standards

Arboriculture in New Zealand has a recognised qualification pathway. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) registers the arboriculture qualifications from Level 3, which covers safe ground and climbing work, through to Level 6, which covers advanced tree risk assessment.

Our arborists hold NZQA arboriculture qualifications, keep them current, and follow safe work practices for tree felling, climbing and rigging on every job. The business is insured, so your property is covered while we work. Tree removal is one of the higher risk trades there is, and the difference between a trained crew and a person with a chainsaw shows up in how the tree comes down and what it lands on.

Arborist in hi-vis climbing the trunk of a tall pine tree on ropes

Our Tree Removal Process

Site visit and quote.
We look at the tree, what is around it and how we will get equipment in, then give you a written quote for the work. The quote sets out what we will do and what happens to the branches and timber.
Checking the rules.
Some Wellington trees are protected under the District Plan and need council approval before they can be removed. We check this before quoting and tell you if an application is needed.
Planning the method.
Felling a tree in one piece is only possible where there is clear room for it to land. On most Wellington sections the tree is climbed and dismantled in sections, with limbs lowered on ropes and rigging so nothing drops onto the roof, the deck or the neighbour's fence. Where access allows, a crane makes large removals faster and safer.
On the day.
We set up an exclusion zone, protect lawns and paving where heavy sections will land, and work from the top of the tree down. Branches are chipped as we go and the trunk is cut into manageable rounds.
Clean-up.
We take the chip and timber away, or leave mulch and firewood rounds for you if you want them. The site is raked and swept before we leave. Anything we can recycle into mulch, we do.

Tree removal in Wellington: what to expect

What affects the cost of tree removal

No two removals cost the same, and anyone who quotes a price over the phone without seeing the tree is guessing. The main factors are the height and spread of the tree, the species (a dense macrocarpa takes far longer to process than a cabbage tree of the same height), and how much of it has to be lowered on ropes rather than dropped. Access matters a great deal in Wellington: a tree on a flat section beside a wide driveway is a short job, while the same tree on a steep rear section reached by steps and a narrow path takes most of a day. What sits under the tree counts too. A roof, a glasshouse, a neighbour's garage or an overhead line all mean slower, more controlled dismantling. Finally, the quote reflects what you want done with the wood and chip, and whether the stump is to be dealt with.

Council rules and protected trees

Wellington City Council lists notable and heritage trees in the District Plan, and some areas and sites have additional rules about vegetation removal. Removing or heavily pruning a protected tree without consent can lead to enforcement action, so it pays to check first. The council's guidance on trees on private property explains when approval is needed. We check the status of a tree as part of quoting and will not remove a protected tree without the paperwork in place. Our post on Wellington tree regulations for property owners covers this in more detail.

Neighbours, boundaries and power lines

Trees on or near a boundary are a common source of disputes. If the tree you want removed is shared, or its canopy sits over a neighbour's land, talk to the neighbour before the work is booked. Where a tree stands close to overhead power lines there are extra safety rules, and in some cases the lines company has to be involved before any cutting starts. We will tell you if that applies to your tree and what has to happen first.

Timber, mulch and the stump

Everything we cut is chipped or removed. If you garden, the chip makes good mulch and we are happy to leave it in a pile where you want it. Trunk wood can be left as firewood rounds or taken away. The stump is a separate decision: it can be cut as low as possible and left to rot down, or ground out so the ground can be replanted or paved. Tell us what you would like at quote stage so it is included.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need council permission to remove a tree in Wellington?

Only if the tree is protected or sits in an area with specific rules. Most garden trees can be removed without consent, but we check every time because the consequences of getting it wrong fall on the owner.

How long does a tree removal take?

A small tree with good access can be down and cleared in an hour or two. A large tree on a tight Wellington section can take a full day or more, especially where every limb has to be lowered by rope.

Can you remove a tree in a tight space?

Yes. Most of our work is in established suburbs where trees are close to houses, fences and lines. Sectional dismantling with rigging is designed for exactly that.

Will you take the wood away?

Yes, unless you ask us to leave mulch or firewood. Removal is included in the quote.

What if the tree is dangerous right now?

Call us straight away on 0275 499 100 and keep people away from it. We treat a tree that is failing, hung up or on a structure as emergency work and prioritise it.

Get a free tree removal quote in Wellington

Call Brian on 0275 499 100, email brian@wellingtontrees.co.nz or use the form. Tell us roughly how tall the tree is, where it stands, what is underneath it and whether the job is urgent. We will arrange a visit and a written quote, and if the tree is dangerous we will treat it as emergency tree work.

For tree removal anywhere in Wellington, call Brian on 0275 499 100, email brian@wellingtontrees.co.nz or send your details through our contact page. We are based in Karori and quotes are free.

Get a free quote 0275 499 100