Tree Services · Como & the South Perth riverside

Tree Services Como

Degree-qualified arborists for Como's peppermints, jacarandas and towering river gums, from the Swan foreshore to the streets behind Preston Street. Free written quotes, seven days a week.

Degree-qualified arborists Local since 2011 Council approvals handled
Perth Arbor Services arborist roped high in a eucalyptus, removing limbs against a clear Perth sky
14+years caring for
Perth's trees
Your local arborists

Trusted tree care across Como

Peppermints, jacarandas and towering old gums give Como a leafy character its residents are keen to hold on to. From the Swan River foreshore reserves to the quiet streets behind Preston Street, the suburb's trees do genuine work — shade, privacy and value — and keeping them that way calls for a trained hand.

Perth Arbor Services has delivered professional tree care throughout Como and the surrounding City of South Perth since 2011. Our degree-qualified arborists support homeowners, apartment strata groups, businesses and local authorities, with one clear written quote agreed before any work begins.

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What we do

Tree services we offer in Como

One degree-qualified team for every job, from a single leaning gum in a Como backyard to full site clearance for a new build.

Tree Lopping

When a canopy genuinely needs cutting back for clearance or safety, we look at the job honestly first. Crude lopping can leave a tree weakened and prone to regrowth failure, whereas a proper reduction reaches the same outcome without the harm.

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Tree Removal

Many of Como's older homes sit beneath decades-old trees whose roots reach under paving, drains and foundations, while riverfront blocks carry storm-exposed specimens. We remove trees of any size safely around tight boundaries and shared apartment grounds, and leave the site clean.

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Tree Pruning

Pruning to Australian Standard AS4373 that keeps a tree healthy and well shaped while clearing branches from roofs, powerlines and the neighbour's fence — cuts that serve long-term structure, not just a seasonal tidy.

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Tree Risk Assessment

Mature trees give Como much of its charm, yet an unchecked one near a home, driveway or shared path is a liability. Our written assessments pinpoint defects, decay and hazard potential — a clear, documented record for owners, strata committees and managers.

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Land Clearance

For infill development, subdivisions and new builds around Como, we carry out efficient lot clearing that meets the City of South Perth's planning and tree-retention requirements.

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Stump Grinding

Once a tree is down, we grind the stump well below ground so it won't regrow or get in the way of paving, lawn or a new build — grindings cleared away before we leave.

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Before any work begins

City of South Perth tree rules: what to check before any work starts

Tree work in Como comes with more red tape than most people expect. Before you touch a tree on or near your block, it helps to know exactly where the City's responsibility sits and where yours begins.

Every street tree on the verge is managed by the City of South Perth, and it's an offence for anyone to prune or remove a street tree without authorisation. If a verge tree needs attention, residents lodge a request and the City schedules the work through its own maintenance and annual pruning program.

On private property, larger trees can also be protected. Under the City's Local Planning Policy 3.2 – Tree Retention, a "Regulated Tree" (broadly one at least 8 metres tall, with a canopy around 6 metres across, or a trunk circumference of about 1.5 metres) needs development approval before it's removed or pruned beyond genuine maintenance. Removing a protected tree without approval breaches the Planning and Development Act 2005, which carries penalties of up to $200,000 for an individual.

Perth Arbor Services checks what needs approval before we quote, not after. If an application is required, we can walk you through it so your project keeps moving.

Not sure whether your tree work needs City of South Perth approval? Call us first on (08) 9227 0010 and we'll give you a straight answer before anything is cut.

Why locals choose us

Why Como homeowners choose Perth Arbor Services

Plenty of arborists advertise around Como, so here's what sets us apart for local homeowners, strata managers and businesses.

Degree-qualified arborists

Founders Tony Head and Michael Dawson both studied Arboriculture at Murdoch University. That grounding shapes the way every tree is assessed and every job is carried out.

Here since 2011

More than 14 years of residential and commercial tree work across Perth, from a single leaning gum in a Como backyard to full site clearance for a new build.

ArbWest Professional Members

Certified, insured and held to recognised industry standards that protect you just as much as they reflect on us.

Seven days a week

Including emergency call-outs when a storm-damaged tree by the river cannot safely wait until Monday.

PSHB-aware and equipped

Como lies within Perth's metropolitan Quarantine Area. If you have susceptible species on your block, we can assess and manage them responsibly.

Written quotes, no surprises

Scope and price confirmed in writing before we start, so there are no unexpected costs later.

How it works

How your Como tree work happens

A simple, no-surprises process from first call to a clean site.

01

Free written quote

Call or enquire online and we'll assess the job, flag any City of South Perth approvals, and put a clear scope and price in writing before anything is agreed.

02

Council & PSHB check

Where verge trees or a Regulated Tree under Policy 3.2 are involved, we confirm what sign-off the City needs, and check for polyphagous shot-hole borer risk on susceptible species.

03

The work, done to standard

Our degree-qualified arborists carry out the removal, pruning or clearance to Australian Standard AS4373, working safely around riverfront blocks, apartment grounds and tight boundaries.

04

Clean site, every time

We chip, haul and clear the site completely, grind stumps where needed and leave your property tidy, with aftercare advice for any trees that stay.

Need a tree sorted in Como?

Free, written and no obligation. Tell us what needs doing and one of our qualified arborists will price it up.

Our service area

Serving Como & surrounding suburbs

Operating out of Perth, we cover Como and every neighbouring suburb within the City of South Perth. Whether you're near the river foreshore, along the Canning Highway corridor or tucked into the streets around Curtin University, we can reach you quickly.

Unsure whether your street falls within our patch? Ring us on (08) 9227 0010 and we'll let you know on the spot.

  • Como
  • South Perth
  • Kensington
  • Manning
  • Salter Point
  • Waterford
  • Karawara
Reviews

What Como clients say

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Steve Cowper profile picture
Steve Cowper
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Can highly recommend Perth Arbor Services. The guys were very friendly, professional and did a magnificent job on our very tall palm trees and the trimming of the other tree was 1st Class. A special shout out to Rowan who came out for an onsite quote. Highly experienced in his knowledge and we will definitely be calling upon Perth Arbor Services in the future! Well done ๐Ÿ‘
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Sepi Sia profile picture
Sepi Sia
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So pleased with the quality service we recieved from Rowan and his team. The council asked us for an arborist report for a Tree Growth Zone smaller than their mandated dimensions. Contacted Rowan and he helped us with the letter straight away. The fee was also very resoanable (fraction of the other quote I had). Highly recommended.
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michael selby profile picture
michael selby
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Just had the team round to remove a 8m palm from ist contact with Chris to finish job everything went very easily they left the yard very clean thank you I have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone
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Ridley Ridley profile picture
Ridley Ridley
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Saw one of your vehicles rego ending in 388 driving recklessly in traffic and driving in the emergency lane. Not great advertising when you have the company logo on the vehicle...
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Derek W profile picture
Derek W
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The guys (and gal) from Perth Arbor Services were excellent. Chris came to our property to view two large trees and provide a quote. I was immediately impressed at the knowledge and advice he provided. The team turned up on the agreed day and time and were thoroughly professional throughout the process. After, they did a great job of tidying up - very pleased and have no problem providing a five star rating for their service
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Bronwyn Maurice profile picture
Bronwyn Maurice
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Thank you so much to the team at Perth Arbor Services. What a fantastic job. Polite, efficient and concerned to get the right balance for me the client, when it came to the pruning of some of our existing trees. The result was exactly what I wanted and the clean up afterwards...perfect! I would highly recommend them.
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Graham Capper profile picture
Graham Capper
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I required quite a lot of work to be undertaken in my back garden, in order to correct a couple of small issues and to tidy it up, as I intend to sell soon. I was visited by Rowan who was very good in explaining how the garden had got to its current state and what was needed to get it to the state that I wanted. A date was agreed with Michael and Shamus and his group turned up exactly at the agreed time. They worked exceptionally hard and undertook the work that created the garden that I wanted. I was impressed that Rowan and Shamus had obviously discussed what was required and how to undertake it. I was soooo impressed that I wanted to give 10 stars, but the upper limit was only 5! If anyone that I know needs this sort of assistance then I will be passing Perth Arbor Services contact details to them.
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Hamed Habibzadeh Nesami profile picture
Hamed Habibzadeh Nesami
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Worked with Rowan. He is very experienced with great knowledge as an Arborist and very helpful
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Philip Sealey profile picture
Philip Sealey
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Michael and the team sorted out a fallen tree for us very promptly. Thanks all.
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Good to know

Como tree service questions, answered

Can I prune or remove the verge tree outside my Como home?

No. Every street tree on the verge is managed by the City of South Perth, and it's an offence to prune or remove one without authorisation. If a verge tree needs attention, you lodge a request and the City schedules the work through its maintenance and annual pruning program. If it's causing a problem, contact the City or call us and we'll point you the right way.

Do I need council approval to remove a tree on my own property in Como?

It depends on the tree. Smaller trees are generally your call, but under the City's Local Planning Policy 3.2 – Tree Retention, a "Regulated Tree" (broadly at least 8 metres tall, around a 6-metre canopy, or a trunk circumference of about 1.5 metres) needs development approval before removal or major pruning. Removing a protected tree without approval breaches the Planning and Development Act 2005, with penalties up to $200,000 for an individual. Perth Arbor Services checks and advises before we quote, not after.

What is the difference between tree lopping and tree pruning?

Crude lopping can leave a tree weakened and prone to regrowth failure, while proper reduction pruning reaches the same outcome without the harm. Our arborists work to Australian Standard AS4373 so every cut benefits the tree's structure, and we tell you honestly which approach your tree actually needs.

Do you grind out the stump after removing a tree?

Yes. Stump grinding is part of what we do. Once a tree is removed we can grind the stump well below ground level so it won't throw up regrowth or get in the way of paving, lawn or a new build, and we clear away the grindings before we leave.

Is Como affected by the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB)?

Yes. Como sits within Perth's metropolitan Quarantine Area for the polyphagous shot-hole borer, an invasive beetle that bores into a wide range of tree species. If you have susceptible trees on your property, early assessment is recommended, and our arborists can inspect and manage the risk accordingly.

How quickly can you attend a storm-damaged or dangerous tree?

We work seven days a week and offer emergency call-outs for storm-damaged or failing trees that can't wait. Call us on (08) 9227 0010 and we'll get a qualified arborist out to you as quickly as possible.

Get a free quote for tree services in Como

Whether a tree needs to come down, a canopy needs pruning back from the roofline, or you simply want an expert eye over what your property needs, Perth Arbor Services is ready to help. We cover Como and the wider City of South Perth seven days a week, and every quote is free, written and comes with no obligation.

Call us or send an enquiry online, and one of our qualified arborists will be in touch promptly.