Tree Services South Perth
Degree-qualified arborists for South Perth's two halves — the foreshore apartment towers near Mends Street and the quiet character pockets shaded by trees planted generations ago. Free written quotes, seven days a week.
Perth's trees
Trusted tree care across South Perth
The view from the South Perth foreshore back across the Swan to the city skyline is one of the most photographed in the state, and the suburb behind it runs in two distinct halves: glass apartment towers rising near Mends Street and the Perth Zoo, and quiet pockets of established character homes shaded by trees planted generations ago.
Perth Arbor Services looks after both. We've worked across South Perth and the wider City of South Perth since 2011 — from a single overgrown jacaranda in a Kensington backyard to canopy management for riverfront strata complexes — always with one clear written quote agreed before any work begins.
Get a Free Written QuoteTree services we offer in South Perth
One degree-qualified team for every job, from a single backyard tree to a full apartment-complex canopy program.
Tree Lopping
When a client asks for a tree to be "lopped" to reclaim a river or skyline view, we explain the trade-off plainly. Topping a healthy tree usually weakens it and invites regrowth and decay. Where genuine canopy reduction is warranted, we do it properly — and we'll tell you honestly which approach your tree actually needs.
Learn more →Tree Removal
From tight apartment courtyards near the foreshore to older blocks in Kensington and Manning, removals here often mean working in confined spaces beside fences, pools and neighbouring dwellings. We handle trees of every size safely, with careful rigging where access is limited and full site clean-up included as standard.
Learn more →Tree Pruning
Whether it's a river gum crowding a balcony view or a street-facing tree pushing into powerlines, considered pruning keeps trees healthy and safe. We prune to Australian Standard AS4373, so the work supports the tree's long-term structure rather than simply tidying it for the season.
Learn more →Tree Risk Assessment
The City of South Perth's tree-retention policy means many mature trees now need documented justification before removal. Our written risk assessments identify structural faults, disease and hazard potential — giving homeowners, strata councils and developers the arborist evidence the City expects to see.
Learn more →Land Clearance
With infill and apartment development ongoing across South Perth and Como, we provide efficient site clearance for builders and developers, working within the City's tree-retention and development-approval requirements so your project stays compliant from the start.
Learn more →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, landscaping or a new build across South Perth's courtyards and older blocks — grindings cleared away before we leave.
Learn more →City of South Perth tree regulations: what you need to know
Tree rules in South Perth have tightened considerably, and getting them wrong can be expensive. Before you remove or heavily prune any tree, it's worth understanding what sits under the City's control and what now needs planning approval — even on your own land.
The City of South Perth manages every street and verge tree. It's an offence to prune, remove or otherwise interfere with a street tree, and removal requires written approval from the City except in a genuine emergency. Residents can request pruning or a replacement planting, but the work is carried out by the City, not by householders.
For trees on private property, the City adopted Local Planning Policy 3.2 – Tree Retention in 2025. Under this policy, a "Regulated Tree" — broadly one at least 8 metres tall, with a canopy of about 6 metres, or a trunk circumference of 1.5 metres or more — needs development approval before it can be removed or damaged. Routine maintenance pruning to AS4373 is generally exempt. Carrying out tree-damaging work that needs approval without obtaining it is an offence under the Planning and Development Act 2005, which carries penalties of up to $200,000 for an individual (and higher for a company).
Perth Arbor Services will tell you whether your tree is likely to be regulated, and whether approval is needed, before we quote, not after. Where an application is required, we can supply the arborist report the City asks for and help keep your project moving.
Not sure whether your tree is a Regulated Tree or needs City of South Perth approval? Call us first on (08) 9227 0010 and we'll give you a straight answer before anything is touched.
Why South Perth property owners choose Perth Arbor Services
There's no shortage of arborists advertising in the South Perth area. Here's why local homeowners, strata managers and developers keep coming back to us.
Degree-qualified arborists
Founders Tony Head and Michael Dawson both studied Arboriculture at Murdoch University. That training shapes how every job in South Perth is assessed, quoted and carried out.
Here since 2011
More than a decade of residential, strata and commercial tree work across Perth, with the experience to handle a single backyard tree or a full apartment-complex canopy program.
ArbWest Professional Members
Certified, insured and held to industry standards that protect you as much as they reflect on us.
Strata and approval-ready
We understand South Perth's mix of high-density strata and the City's tree-retention rules, and can provide the written reports councils and strata boards need.
Seven days a week
Including emergency response for when a storm-damaged limb over a driveway or apartment carpark can't wait until Monday.
Written quotes, no surprises
Scope and pricing confirmed in writing before any work begins, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
How your South Perth tree work happens
A simple, no-surprises process from first call to a clean site.
Free written quote
Call or enquire online and we'll assess the job, tell you whether a tree is likely "Regulated" under LPP 3.2, flag any City of South Perth approvals, and put a clear price in writing before anything is agreed.
Council & PSHB check
Where verge or Regulated trees are involved, we confirm what sign-off the City needs — supplying the arborist report where required — and check for polyphagous shot-hole borer risk on susceptible species.
The work, done to standard
Our degree-qualified arborists rig and remove or prune to Australian Standard AS4373, working safely in confined courtyards and older blocks around fences, pools and neighbouring dwellings.
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 South Perth?
Free, written and no obligation — and we'll tell you up front whether your tree is Regulated and needs council approval.
Serving South Perth & surrounding suburbs
Based in Perth, we regularly service South Perth and the neighbouring suburbs within the City of South Perth — along with adjoining areas such as Victoria Park just across the boundary.
Not sure if we cover your street? Give us a call on (08) 9227 0010 and we'll confirm straight away.
- South Perth
- Como
- Kensington
- Manning
- Salter Point
- Karawara
- Waterford
- Victoria Park
What South Perth clients say
South Perth tree service questions, answered
Can I prune or remove the verge tree outside my South Perth property?
No. The City of South Perth manages every street and verge tree, and it's an offence to prune, remove or interfere with one. Removal requires written approval from the City except in a genuine emergency. Residents can request pruning or a replacement planting, but the work is carried out by the City, not by householders. Call us and we'll point you the right way.
Do I need approval to remove a tree on my own property in South Perth?
Possibly — the rules tightened in 2025. Under Local Planning Policy 3.2 – Tree Retention, a "Regulated Tree" (broadly one at least 8m tall, with a canopy of about 6m, or a trunk circumference of 1.5m or more) needs development approval before it's removed or damaged. Routine maintenance pruning to AS4373 is generally exempt. Doing regulated work without approval is an offence under the Planning and Development Act 2005, with penalties up to $200,000 for an individual. We tell you whether your tree is likely regulated before we quote, not after.
What is the difference between tree lopping and tree pruning?
Topping a healthy tree to reclaim a view usually weakens it and invites regrowth and decay, while proper reduction pruning reaches the clearance you need without the harm. We prune to Australian Standard AS4373 and tell you honestly which approach your tree actually needs.
Can you provide the arborist report the City or our strata board needs?
Yes. South Perth's tree-retention policy means many mature trees need documented justification before removal, and strata boards often want the same. Our degree-qualified arborists provide written risk assessments and reports that identify structural faults, disease and hazard potential — the arborist evidence the City and strata councils expect to see.
Is South Perth affected by the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB)?
Yes. South Perth 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 response for storm-damaged or failing trees that can't wait — including limbs over driveways and apartment carparks. 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 South Perth
Whether you have a tree that needs removing, a canopy that needs pruning, or a strata or development site that needs an arborist's eye before the paperwork, Perth Arbor Services is here to help. We service South Perth and every surrounding suburb seven days a week, and every quote is free, written and comes with no obligation.
Give us a call or submit an enquiry online, and one of our qualified arborists will get back to you promptly.