Tree removal in Cairns in 2026 commonly costs from a few hundred dollars for a small, easy tree to several thousand for a large tree over a house. Lopping, palm cleaning and stump grinding generally cost less. The bands below are a planning guide only, in Australian dollars, and every job needs an on-site quote before a real price is given.
Indicative 2026 price bands for Cairns
| Type of job | Typical range (AUD, as a guide) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree removal, under about 5 m, open access | $350 – $900 | Shrubby trees, young palms, small natives. |
| Medium tree removal, about 5–12 m | $900 – $2,500 | Mangoes, poincianas, mid-sized figs and mahoganies. Depends heavily on what is underneath. |
| Large or complex removal, over 12 m or over structures | $2,500 – $6,000+ | Big figs, raintrees and mahoganies near houses, pools or lines. May need a crane or platform. |
| Tree lopping or pruning, per tree | $300 – $1,800 | From lifting a few limbs to a full crown reduction. |
| Palm clean or de-nut, per palm | $120 – $400 | Fronds, nuts and seed stalks. Height and access matter most. |
| Palm removal, per palm | $300 – $1,600 | Small single-trunk to tall coconut or royal palm; clumping palms vary. |
| Stump grinding, per stump | $150 – $600 | Diameter, root spread and access. Discounts are common for several stumps. |
These are not quotes. They are broad ranges to help with budgeting. Your job may fall outside them in either direction.
What pushes the price up
What the tree is over. A tree in an open backyard can be dropped in large pieces. The same tree over a roof, pool, glasshouse or neighbour's shed has to be climbed and lowered on ropes, piece by piece. That is the biggest single factor.
Access. Many Cairns blocks have narrow side gates, steps or steep driveways. If a chipper, platform or grinder cannot get to the tree, everything is carried by hand, which takes longer. Hillside lots in Redlynch, Whitfield and Edge Hill are classic examples.
Size and species. Large figs and raintrees have huge crowns and heavy timber. Mahoganies are dense and heavy. Palms are tall but light, apart from the crown.
Condition. A dead or storm-damaged tree can be more dangerous to climb, so it is often slower to remove.
Power lines. Work near the service line may need someone authorised to work near live lines or a disconnection arranged with Ergon Energy.
Waste removal. Taking away logs, chip and palm fronds costs time, trailer space and tipping fees. Keeping the chip as mulch is the simplest way to reduce cost.
Ground conditions. In the wet, soft ground can rule out heavy machinery, so a job that would use a platform or grinder in the dry may have to be climbed or postponed.
Urgency. Make-safe work straight after a storm is in high demand, and after-hours call-outs usually cost more.
What can bring it down
- Book in the dry season when machinery can reach the tree and scheduling is easier.
- Combine jobs. One visit to remove a tree, grind its stump and clean three palms is usually cheaper than three separate visits.
- Keep the mulch. If you can use the chip in garden beds, removal costs drop.
- Clear the access. Moving cars, trailers and pot plants out of the way before the crew arrives saves time.
- Prune early. Regular pruning of a fast-growing tree is cheaper than an emergency removal later.
What a written quote should include
A good quote for tree work in Cairns should tell you:
- Which trees, and exactly what is being removed or cut
- The method: climbing, platform, crane or fell
- Whether the stump is left, ground or dug out, and to what depth
- What happens to logs, chip and fronds
- How roofs, fences, paving and gardens are protected
- Any council, power line or neighbour matters that need sorting first
- Who is doing the work. Ask to see their licences and insurance before work starts.
Council rules and costs
Most ordinary backyard trees in Cairns can be pruned or removed without a council permit, but some lots fall under vegetation or environmental overlays in Cairns Regional Council's planning scheme, and trees on the footpath belong to council. If an approval is needed, it can add time and possibly fees. We do not quote council fees here because they change; check with Cairns Regional Council before work starts.
Getting a real price
Call (07) 4064 9207 or use the form below. Send photos of the whole tree, the base and anything underneath it, and say how wide the narrowest access point is. For more on each type of work, see tree removal, tree lopping, palm tree lopping and removal and stump grinding.