Five kinds of tree work
Tree Solutions QLD arranges tree work in Brisbane and the surrounding council areas through independent local contractors. Every job starts the same way: someone looks at the site, then a price is put in writing. Here is what each kind of work involves.
Tree removal
Taking a whole tree down, usually in roped sections where there are houses, fences or pools close by, and clearing the timber and branches. This is the most common job, and it covers dead trees, storm-damaged trees, trees with root problems and trees in the way of building work. Council protection and koala mapping are checked first. Read more about tree removal.
Stump removal
Digging the stump and its major roots out of the ground, then backfilling the hole. This is the right choice when a slab, pool, driveway or retaining wall is going where the tree was, because rotting roots under concrete cause trouble later. It is excavation, so underground services must be located first. Read more about stump removal.
Stump grinding
Grinding the stump below the surface with a machine, leaving chips and soil in the hole and the roots to rot in place. Faster, cheaper and less disruptive than removal, and enough for lawns and garden beds. Compact grinders fit through most side gates. Read more about stump grinding.
Palm tree removal
Removing palms in sections or whole, or cleaning dead fronds, seed stalks and fruit from palms you want to keep. Cocos, Alexander, Bangalow and fan palms are the usual suspects, especially around pools. Read more about palm tree removal.
Bamboo removal
Cutting clumping or running bamboo and, more importantly, digging or grinding out the rhizomes so it does not come straight back. Often combined with a root barrier along a boundary. Read more about bamboo removal.
Choosing between grinding and removal
The question we hear most is whether a stump should be ground or dug out. The short answer:
| If the spot will become... | Usually choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn or garden bed | Stump grinding | Quick, cheap, roots rot away harmlessly |
| A new tree | Grinding, plant to one side | Old roots take years to break down |
| Paving or a path | Either, depending on root size | Large root plates can subside under pavers |
| A slab, pool or footing | Stump removal | Rotting timber under concrete leaves voids |
| A boundary with running bamboo | Rhizome removal plus barrier | Stops it coming back from next door |
Jobs that often go together
- Tree removal and stump grinding. The most common pairing. The crew is already on site, so grinding the stump the same day usually costs less than a separate visit.
- Palm removal and stump grinding. Single-trunk palm stumps are quick to grind, and clumping palms often need the base ground out to stop regrowth.
- Bamboo removal and a root barrier. If bamboo remains on the other side of a boundary, a barrier stops it coming straight back.
- Several small removals. Overgrown screening trees along a fence line are cheaper to remove together than one at a time.
- Storm clean-up and a check of the rest of the yard. After a tree fails, it is worth having the other large trees looked at while the contractor is there.
How the work is organised
- Tell us about the job. Call or use the form. The suburb, what the tree is, how big, how close to buildings or wires, and what you want done.
- Site visit and written quote. A local contractor looks at it and gives you a written price that spells out what is included.
- Approvals if needed. If council approval is needed for a protected tree, it is sorted before work is booked.
- The work. Done on the agreed day, with the site protected and cleaned up afterwards.
Where the work happens
We arrange work across greater Brisbane and the councils around it, with location pages for Ashgrove, Wynnum, Forest Lake, Caboolture, Ipswich, Greenbank, Beenleigh and Victoria Point. Each one covers its local council, typical trees and weather risks.
Who does the work
This is a referral website. The work is carried out by independent local tree contractors. We ask them to hold the licences and insurance the job needs. Ask to see them before work starts. Guide prices for every service are on the tree removal prices page.