Perth WA Tree Pruning Service Cost Guide
- Swift Trees Perth

- Nov 3
- 13 min read
Figuring out how much tree pruning will cost in Perth can feel a bit like guesswork. There’s no simple price list because every tree is different.
You’re looking at a range anywhere from $250 for a small, straightforward job to over $1,000 for a large, tricky tree. The final price really comes down to the tree's size, where it is on your property, and its overall condition. Here is our guide to Perth WA tree pruning costs.....
Your Quick Guide to Tree Pruning Costs in Perth WA
Trying to budget for a professional tree pruning service can be confusing. It’s not like buying something off the shelf; think of it more like hiring a specialist to care for a valuable part of your home's landscape. Every tree has its own story and its own set of challenges that an arborist needs to properly assess.
This guide is here to clear things up and break down what actually goes into the quote you receive. We'll give you a realistic idea of what you’re paying for. In Australia, the costs can vary quite a bit. For smaller trees under 8 metres, you’re often looking at a price between $250 and $525. For the big fellas over 15 metres, that cost can climb from $700 up to $1,500 or even more.
To give you a clearer starting point, here's a general breakdown of what you might expect to pay in Perth, based purely on tree size.
Estimated Tree Pruning Costs in Perth WA by Tree Size
This table is a handy reference for getting a ballpark figure in your head. It groups trees by height and provides a typical price range, along with some common examples you'd find in Perth gardens.
Keep in mind, these numbers are just estimates to get you started. The actual cost will always hinge on the specific details of your job, like how hard the tree is to get to or if there are any hazards involved.
For a deeper dive into what a quality service should cover, have a look at our post on reliable tree pruning services in Perth for healthy trees.
Having these initial figures should make you feel more confident when you start getting quotes.
For a precise and transparent price tailored specifically to your trees, get in touch with Swift Trees Perth for a professional on-site assessment.
Key Factors That Determine Your Pruning Bill
Ever wondered why there isn’t a simple, flat-rate price for tree pruning in Perth? Think of it like a custom building project—every single tree is unique, and so is the work needed to care for it properly. The final tree pruning service cost isn't pulled out of thin air; it’s calculated based on several key variables that a professional arborist assesses during an on-site inspection.
The most obvious factor, of course, is the tree's size. A small Crepe Myrtle in your front garden is a world away from a towering, mature gum tree out the back. Taller trees naturally come with greater risks and demand more complex equipment, like elevated work platforms or specialised climbing gear, which bumps up the price.
This visual guide gives you a rough idea of how the cost can climb based on a tree's general size.

As you can see, the price jumps significantly as a tree moves from small to medium and then to large. This reflects the extra time, risk, and machinery needed to do the job safely and correctly.
Tree Species and Density
Beyond just sheer height, the species of the tree plays a huge role in shaping your quote. A tree with a dense, sprawling canopy, like a Moreton Bay Fig, requires a much more detailed and time-consuming approach than a tree with a sparser, more open branch structure.
The type of wood also matters. Some trees have harder, denser wood that is tougher to cut, while others have brittle branches that require careful handling to prevent them from snapping off uncontrollably. Each species has its own unique growth pattern, which dictates the specific pruning techniques needed to keep it healthy and looking its best.
A key thing to remember is that you're not just paying for cuts to be made; you're paying for an arborist's knowledge of that specific tree's biology. The right cuts encourage healthy growth, while the wrong ones can damage the tree permanently.
Health and Overall Condition
Finally, the tree's current health is a major piece of the puzzle. A healthy, well-maintained tree might only need a routine trim, which is a relatively straightforward job. But a tree that's diseased, infested with pests, or has been battered in a storm is a completely different story.
For example, pruning a healthy Liquidambar tree to shape it might be a standard job. But if that same tree is suffering from fungal dieback, the task becomes surgical. The arborist must carefully remove affected branches using sterilised tools to avoid spreading the disease, adding complexity and time to the project. Factors like tree height and its overall condition significantly influence the final bill, as taller or hazardous trees demand specialised machinery, larger crews, and more meticulous work to ensure safety.
For a closer look at how tree size specifically affects what you pay, you might find our collection of articles on tree size and pricing helpful.
Understanding these variables is the first step to appreciating why a professional quote is so important.
To get a clear and accurate assessment tailored to your specific trees, contact Swift Trees Perth for your tree maintenance needs.
How Location and Access Affect Your Quote
The final number on your tree pruning service cost quote isn’t just about the tree itself—it’s also about its postcode on your property. Where a tree stands plays a massive role in the complexity, risk, and equipment needed for the job. A straightforward prune can quickly turn into a logistical puzzle based on a few key factors.
Think about pruning a medium-sized gum tree standing proudly in the middle of an open front lawn. Access is a breeze for the crew and their gear, like a wood chipper. Now, picture that same tree squeezed into a tight backyard corner, with branches hanging over your roof, a pool, and tangled in power lines. The job just got a whole lot trickier, and therefore, more expensive.

This difference in location and access is one of the biggest drivers of cost.
Navigating Tight Spaces and Obstacles
When a tree is tucked away in a hard-to-reach spot, arborists have to use specialised techniques to make sure no damage is done to your property. This is where real skill and careful planning come in, and it directly bumps up the final price.
Here are a few classic examples of access challenges:
Proximity to Structures: If branches are looming over your house, shed, or neighbour's fence, each one must be carefully cut and lowered with ropes and rigging. This stops heavy timber from crashing down and causing thousands in damage.
Power Line Clearance: Working near electrical wires is incredibly dangerous. It requires a highly skilled crew with specific training and non-conductive tools. This is a job that absolutely cannot be done by amateurs and adds a big safety premium to the cost.
Limited Ground Access: A narrow side gate, a steep slope, or delicate garden beds can stop arborists from bringing in crucial machinery like elevated work platforms (EWPs) or wood chippers. This might mean every branch has to be carried out by hand, adding hours of labour.
A good way to think about it is that the space around the tree is part of the worksite. An easy-access tree might take a couple of hours. The exact same tree in a difficult spot could take all day because of the complex rigging and manual work needed.
The Importance of Clear Equipment Access
Beyond just getting to the branches, the crew needs a clear path for their truck and machinery. A professional team rocks up with a truck and a powerful wood chipper. If they can’t park close to the tree, every single branch has to be dragged across your property, which adds hours of labour to your bill.
For very large or precarious trees, a crane might even be needed to lift entire sections away safely. This kind of heavy machinery adds a substantial cost to the project, but sometimes it’s the only way to get the job done without risking major property damage.
Understanding these logistical hurdles helps explain why a seemingly simple prune can come with a higher-than-expected price tag. It all comes down to the time, risk, and specialised gear needed to work safely and efficiently on your unique Perth property.
Ready to get a clear, no-surprises quote that accounts for your specific situation? The experienced team at Swift Trees Perth can assess your property and provide an accurate estimate for all your tree maintenance needs.
Understanding the Full Scope of Service Costs
A professional quote tells a story. It's detailed, transparent, and breaks down every part of the service. This lets you compare apples with apples and see exactly what you're paying for.
Most importantly, it helps you spot the basic quotes that leave you with a mountain of branches on your lawn to clean up yourself.
At Swift Trees Perth, we always leave your property neat and tidy after every job — and our customer reviews show how much clients appreciate that extra care.

Knowing what to look for is your best defence against hidden costs and extra headaches.
Beyond the Basic Cut
So, what should be in a complete quote? A professional job isn't just about the pruning itself; it covers the entire process from arrival to departure, leaving your property safe, clean, and tidy.
Here are the key services that should be itemised:
Green Waste Removal: This is a big one. It’s not just about piling up branches. It involves processing everything through a wood chipper and legally disposing of the waste. This service alone can easily make up 20-30% of the total job cost.
Site Cleanup: A reputable crew doesn’t just haul away the big logs. They’ll rake the lawn, sweep the driveway, and use blowers to get your paths and garden beds back to how they found them—or even cleaner.
Stump Grinding: This is usually an add-on, but it's essential if a large limb removal leaves an ugly stump-like section or if you decide to remove the tree entirely. The service grinds the stump down below ground level, so you can lay new turf or replant in the area without any issue.
A detailed quote should clearly separate the pruning work from the cleanup and disposal. This table shows what to look for when comparing offers.
Comparing All-Inclusive vs. Basic Pruning Quotes
As you can see, the "cheaper" quote quickly becomes more expensive and time-consuming once you factor in hiring a skip bin and spending your weekend cleaning up the mess. An all-inclusive quote gives you peace of mind and a fixed, final price.
Formal Reports and Council Requirements
Sometimes, tree work involves a bit of paperwork. For major jobs, especially on large, significant, or protected trees, your local Perth council may require a formal arborist report.
It’s a document prepared by a qualified arborist that assesses the tree's health, outlines the proposed work, and provides a professional justification for it. It's a specialised service that adds to the overall cost, but for council approval, it's often non-negotiable. A professional company will know the local regulations and can advise if a report is needed.
Understanding these components means you can make a smart, informed decision. For a clear, comprehensive quote that covers every detail of your tree maintenance needs, contact the expert team at Swift Trees Perth today.
How to Get a Fair and Accurate Quote in Perth
Trying to figure out the world of quotes for your tree pruning service cost can feel like a bit of a maze. But with a few smart moves, you can hire the right crew with total confidence.
The single most important thing you can do? Get multiple quotes. This isn't just about hunting for the lowest price—it's about finding the best value from a qualified and insured professional who knows what they're doing.
Getting at least three written quotes gives you a solid feel for the market rate for your job here in Perth. It also lets you compare what’s included, check out their professionalism, and see how they communicate. It puts you in the driver's seat, so you can make a measured choice instead of a rushed one.
Of course, a quote is only as good as the information you have. To really compare apples with apples, you need to be asking the right questions.
Your Essential Quote Checklist
Before you even pick up the phone, have a list of questions ready. Being prepared shows you're a serious customer who cares about quality and safety.
Here are the critical questions to ask every single time:
Are you and your team fully insured? Always ask to see their Certificate of Currency for Public Liability insurance. It protects you from any liability if an accident happens on your property.
Does your quote include complete green waste removal and site cleanup? You need to know if you'll be left with a tidy yard or a massive cleanup job of your own.
What equipment will you use for the job? This gives you insight into their approach, especially for those hard-to-reach trees.
Can you provide a written, itemised quote? A written quote locks in the price and exactly what work will be done.
It's also really helpful to know who you're dealing with. For a deeper dive, check out our guide on understanding the roles of arborists vs. tree surgeons.
A true professional, like our team at Swift Trees Perth, will always insist on an on-site inspection. It’s the only way to properly assess everything—the tree's size, species, health, and access—to give you a fair, transparent, and fixed price for the job.
Ready for a no-obligation quote from a team that ticks all the right boxes?
Contact Swift Trees Perth today for a professional, on-site assessment and a transparent quote for all your tree maintenance needs.
Why Professional Pruning Is an Investment, Not an Expense
It's easy to look at the tree pruning service cost and see it as just another bill to pay. But that’s missing the bigger picture.
Think of professional tree care less like an expense and more like one of the smartest investments you can make in your property. It’s preventative maintenance for your home’s most valuable living assets, protecting them from future headaches and helping them truly thrive.
Regular, expert pruning is all about being proactive. A skilled arborist strengthens a tree's core structure, which drastically reduces the risk of limbs snapping off during one of Perth's wild storms.
This kind of foresight helps you sidestep thousands of dollars in emergency call-out fees and potential property damage. Suddenly, a modest outlay looks like a significant saving.
Boosting Kerb Appeal and Property Value
Beyond the safety aspect, you can’t ignore the massive impact that beautifully maintained trees have on your home's look and market value. Healthy, well-shaped trees just create a welcoming vibe. They seriously boost kerb appeal and make a powerful first impression. This isn't just about aesthetics; it's a tangible financial benefit.
In today's property market, outdoor living spaces are paramount. A well-manicured garden with structurally sound, beautiful trees is no longer just a 'nice-to-have'—it's a key selling feature that buyers actively look for. Pruning to enhance natural light into the home or to frame a beautiful view are modern techniques that add significant lifestyle and financial value.
If you compare costs across Australian cities, you’ll find that tree maintenance pricing is actually quite consistent. Cities like Melbourne and Perth often share similar cost patterns for these essential services.
You can learn more about how tree removal costs are calculated across Australia to see the similarities. Investing in proper care ensures your property stands out, whether you're selling tomorrow or in ten years.
A healthy, mature tree can add thousands of dollars to your property's value. Neglecting it doesn't just cost nothing—it actively subtracts from your home's worth and appeal over time.
Don’t wait for a falling branch or a diseased tree to force your hand. Taking a proactive approach protects your property, enhances its beauty, and secures its value for the long haul.
Ready to protect your green investment? Make sure your trees are cared for by certified experts. For a professional chat and a comprehensive, no-obligation quote, contact the friendly team at Swift Trees Perth today.
Got Questions About Tree Pruning?
When it comes to looking after the trees on your Perth property, a few questions always seem to pop up. Getting some straight answers is the best way to plan your budget and really understand what you're paying for with a professional tree pruning service. Let's clear a few things up.
How Often Should My Trees Be Pruned?
There’s no single answer here—it really comes down to the tree’s age, its species, and how healthy it is right now. As a general rule of thumb, most mature trees are happy with a good prune every 3-5 years. This is usually enough to clear out deadwood and keep their structure safe and sound.
Younger trees, on the other hand, need a bit more guidance. Think of it like training. A trim every 2-3 years helps them develop a strong, balanced form for the long haul. And then you have fruit trees, which are in a league of their own. They need an annual prune to keep them healthy and producing as much fruit as possible.
Is It Cheaper to Prune a Tree in Winter?
You might find some minor price differences in the off-season, but honestly, the cost of pruning is driven by the complexity of the job, not the time of year. Winter is actually a fantastic time for pruning deciduous trees because, without all the leaves, an arborist gets a crystal-clear view of the entire branch structure.
At the end of the day, the right time to prune is whenever the tree needs it for its health or for safety. If you’ve got hazardous branches looming over your roof after a storm, that’s an urgent job. The price will reflect that urgency and the risk involved, regardless of whether it’s June or January.
People often think they can save a bundle by pruning their own trees. Sure, trimming a few small shrubs from the safety of the ground is fine. But the moment you bring a ladder or a chainsaw into the mix, the risks skyrocket. A fall or a damaged roof can end up costing you a whole lot more than hiring a pro.
Can I Just Prune My Own Trees to Save a Few Bucks?
Look, for a bit of light trimming on small shrubs you can easily reach from the ground, go for it. But any job that requires climbing a ladder, firing up a power tool, or tackling large branches is best left to an insured professional.
It's just not worth the risk. We're talking about serious falls, electrocution from unseen power lines, and major property damage. A qualified arborist turns up with the right safety gear, the proper training, and the correct insurance. That protects not only them but also you from any liability and ensures your tree gets the expert care it needs to thrive.
Your trees are a huge asset to your property, enhancing its beauty and value. Ensuring they receive expert attention is crucial for their health and your safety. If you're ready to invest in the longevity and appeal of your landscape, we're here to help.
For a professional, transparent quote and expert advice on all your tree maintenance needs, contact the friendly and experienced team at Swift Trees Perth today. Let us help you keep your trees safe, healthy, and beautiful for years to come.
Find out more at https://www.swifttreesperth.com.

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