Tree Removal & Stump Grinding in South Yarra
DTS Tree & Stump Removal is a trusted local arborist working across South Yarra and surrounding Melbourne suburbs. From single backyard trees to large, dangerous removals — we've got South Yarra covered.
Local Arborists Serving South Yarra
South Yarra sits within City of Stonnington — an affluent inner-eastern area of grand garden trees and strict private-tree protections. That shapes the work we do here: grand old elms, oaks, plane trees, magnolias, liquidambars and Canary Island palms in established garden settings.
Before we quote a removal in South Yarra we check the planning controls on your address, because the Stonnington Planning Scheme decides whether council approval is needed. Large gardens but narrow side entries and premium landscaping to protect. We use ground mats, hand-carry where needed, and crane the big ones out over the roof.
Every job in South Yarra is fully insured ($20M public liability), planned with your property in mind, and quoted honestly with no hidden extras. If a tree is storm-damaged, dead or leaning over a house, fence or power line — call us first.
Services available in South Yarra
Tree removal permits in South Yarra — City of Stonnington
Stonnington has one of the tighter private-tree regimes in Melbourne — significant trees on private land are protected by local law based on trunk circumference and canopy spread. Always check before removing a mature tree here.
Planning controls for South Yarra sit under the Stonnington Planning Scheme. You can confirm exactly what applies to your address with a free Planning Property Report from the Victorian Government, or we can check it for you when we quote.
Planning overlays you may strike in South Yarra
Where a property is heritage-listed, mature trees inside the curtilage can be protected along with the building.
Protects the treed character of a streetscape or ridgeline. Often triggers a permit even for pruning above a set diameter.
Protects the established garden character of a street, which can include mature canopy trees on private land.
Overlay coverage varies street by street and is indicative only — always confirm against the current planning scheme for your property before removal.
Our tree removal process in South Yarra
- 1. Free on-site assessment
We inspect the tree, the target zone and the access on your South Yarra property, and give you a fixed written price.
- 2. Planning and overlay check
We check the Stonnington Planning Scheme controls for your address and tell you straight away if City of Stonnington approval is likely to be needed.
- 3. Permit application (if required)
If a permit is needed we help prepare the application, including an arborist report and photos supporting the removal.
- 4. Site setup and safety
Drop zones, ground protection, traffic management if needed, and notification to neighbours where we're working over a shared boundary.
- 5. Removal or dismantle
Large gardens but narrow side entries and premium landscaping to protect. We use ground mats, hand-carry where needed, and crane the big ones out over the roof.
- 6. Stump grinding and clean-up
Stumps ground 200–300mm below grade (deeper for slabs or replanting), all timber chipped and removed, and the site raked clean.
Arborist reports for City of Stonnington
If City of Stonnington requires a planning permit to remove your tree, they'll almost always want a report from a qualified arborist. We can prepare that report for you — covering species identification, health and structural condition, useful life expectancy, the risk the tree presents, and whether pruning is a reasonable alternative to removal.
We also prepare tree protection and pre-construction reports for South Yarra developments, and hazard assessments for insurance claims after storm damage.
Common trees we work on in South Yarra
Grand old elms, oaks, plane trees, magnolias, liquidambars and Canary Island palms in established garden settings.
Why South Yarra homeowners choose DTS
- ✓Fully insured — $20M public liability cover
- ✓Large tree specialists — gums, pines, cypress and palms
- ✓Tight-access removals with sectional rigging and narrow-access gear
- ✓Full clean-up, chipping and green-waste removal
- ✓Free on-site quotes — no obligation, usually same day
- ✓Local crew servicing South Yarra weekly
- ✓24/7 emergency call-outs for storm damage
Tree removal prices in South Yarra
Indicative ranges for South Yarra jobs with reasonable access and full green-waste removal included. Difficult access, powerlines or crane work push a job toward the top of its range — we give you a fixed price on site.
| Job | Typical cost | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree (up to 5m) | $450 – $900 | Ornamental pear, fruit tree, small wattle |
| Medium tree (5–10m) | $900 – $2,000 | Silver birch, melaleuca, established conifer |
| Large tree (10–20m) | $2,000 – $4,500 | Mature gum, cypress, liquidambar |
| Very large / crane work (20m+) | $4,500 – $10,000+ | Large eucalypt over a house or pool |
| Stump grinding | $100 – $600 | Priced by stump diameter, cheaper booked with the removal |
South Yarra tree removal FAQs
It depends on the planning overlays on your title and whether the tree is native or on the nature strip. City of Stonnington controls removal through the planning scheme and its local law. We check the controls for your address free of charge when we quote.
Most South Yarra removals fall between $450 and $6,500. Small trees under 5m are typically $450–$900, medium trees $900–$2,000 and large trees over 10m $2,000–$4,500. Access, proximity to buildings and whether a crane is needed are the biggest price drivers.
We service South Yarra weekly and can usually quote within 24–48 hours. Storm damage and dangerous trees are prioritised, with 24/7 emergency call-outs available.
Yes. We grind stumps 200–300mm below grade — deeper if you're laying a slab or replanting — and remove or leave the mulch, whichever you prefer. Booking it with the removal is cheaper than a separate visit.
Yes — DTS carries $20 million public liability insurance on every job. Our current Certificate of Currency is available on request or from our insurance page.
Serving South Yarra from our Kealba base
Our yard and equipment are based at 16a Driscolls Rd, Kealba VIC 3021, so our crews reach South Yarra quickly — including same-day emergency call-outs after storms. Find us on Google Maps.