Gum trees, also referred to as Eucalyptus trees, are one of the more expensive trees to remove due to their hard timber and sheer size.
Gum tree removal costs an average of $3,450. The real range depending on the size and accessibility of the tree is $1,200 to $6,200.
It’s difficult to give a more accurate cost as tree sizes vary greatly as do other factors such as location on the property and time of year.
Gum tree removal costs an average of $72 – $180 per meter. This is based on the average height of the tree being 30 feet tall. We have broken this down further for you by the size of the tree below. Trees can range from 30 feet to above 60 feet and removal cost per foot will vary with height and spread.
Gum Tree Removal Prices by Tree Size
Gum trees vary in size. Some can be small trees (less than 10 feet in height) while others can be towering trees (up to 100 feet in height). The large species of eucalyptus tree can live up to 250 years.
Small Gum Removal cost
Gum trees that are not bigger than a single-story house or 5 – 6m high will cost you $250 – $950. This is excluding the cost of removing the stump. If you’d like to remove the stump as well, add an extra $100.
Examples of small gum trees:
- Red Cap Gum
- Dwarf Apple
Medium Gum Removal Cost
These would include gum trees like Silver Dollar gum or other medium trees with a maximum height of 6 – 9m. These are generally priced at $650 – $1500. Again there are a few factors to consider, but as a rough guide, you can expect to spend within this range
Examples of medium gum trees:
- Silver Dollar gum
- Eucalyptus nicholii
- Spider Gum
Large Gum Removal Cost
A skinny gum tree with little foliage and a height of about 3 stories high would cost about $1000. A more mature specimen of the same height, but with a bigger trunk and branch spread would cost closer to $2500. So, for large trees within this range, you can prepare to spend between $1000 and $2500.
Examples of large gum trees:
- Blue gum
- Lemon-Scented Gum
- Red Flowering Gum
- Snow Gum
Extra Large Gum Tree Removal
If you are removing an extra-large tree, you should be prepared to pay a hefty price unless you’re lucky to see a tree company that wants to use your gum tree for timber. The cost of removing an extra-large gum tree ranges right up to $10,000. Try to get as many free quotes as you can from the best operators in town
Examples of XL gum trees:
- Rainbow Gum
- Salmon Gum
- Southern Blue Gum
- Eucalyptus Rubida
- Mountain Gum
| Gum Tree Size | Examples | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (10-15 ft) | Red Gum | $250 | $950 |
| Medium (15 - 25 ft) | Silver Dollar gum Eucalyptus nicholii Spider Gum | $650 | $1,500 |
| Large (25- 60 ft) | Blue gum Lemon-Scented Gum Red Flowering Gum Snow Gum | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| XLarge (60 - 120 ft) | Rainbow Gum Salmon Gum Southern Blue Gum Eucalyptus Rubida Mountain Gum | $3,000 | $10,000 |
Will I need a permit to remove a Gum tree?
Gum trees are native to Australia and protected by most local councils. Whether you need a permit to remove a Eucalyptus tree will depend on the state of the individual tree and the reasons for removal.
For example, you will not need a permit to remove a Gum tree if it is:
- Smaller than 3m
- Dead (any size)
- Fallen over
- Is within 3m of your home’s foundations
- Is in a fire zone
I do suggest you check your local Tree Preservation Order with your local council here before proceeding to be sure you are working within the law.
Additional Cost implications for Gum Tree Removal
Additional items that can add to the total cost of your gum tree removal job include the following.
- Stump Removal – You can expect to pay an additional $200 to $1,000 If you’d like the stump to be ground away.
- Overhead wires – If the tree is in close proximity to power cables on the street it is going to cost more money to remove the tree. This is because extra safety measures are going to need to be taken such as tiger tale insulation and traffic control.
Other factors that affect the cost of Eucalyptus tree removal
Location of the tree
If your tree is located in an area where the professionals and their machinery can easily go in to remove the tree, then count yourself lucky. You can be assured of paying a lower cost compared to having the tree in an area that will cause them extra work to protect the structures around it. If they have to drag the tree piece by piece from the back to the front it will cost you more.
Removing the stump
When charged separately stump removal costs between $150 and $550. This can be higher for very large tree stumps. If stump removal is included in the price of gum tree removal, you can expect to pay higher than if you’re only cutting down the tree.
Hard access or terrain
Removing trees on a hill, in a pit, or on rocky ground will cost more than one on flat ground. This is because it will be a more complicated process that poses a higher risk to the workers removing the tree.
Dead gum tree removal
When a gum tree has died for an extended period, the timber becomes hard and brittle. This makes working with them more time-consuming and dangerous.
Professional arborists usually climb trees to remove them piece by piece. They may need to use a crane or cherry picker to do the job once the tree has died. This will add to costs.
Also, dead trees make a mess when you cut them down as they tend to shatter when they hit the ground so the clean-up process takes a lot longer, also adding to the cost.
Diameter of trunk
The more the trunk diameter, the more you may have to pay for tree removal. Gum trees with wide trunks will cost more to remove than tiny ones.
Emergency Tree Removal
You should ensure you get rid of any diseased or rotting tree before it becomes an emergency. Emergency tree lopping prices cost much more than the normal cost of tree removal. To avoid paying an extravagant fee (which could go up to 2X or 3X of the actual cost) for tree removal,
How to save on Gum tree Lopping costs
Considering the factors stated above, you can try reducing the cost by considering one or more of the following ways:
Best time of the year to remove gum trees
The best time of year to remove a tree is during the winter months. The demand for tree services during summer is high and almost all companies are booked up. This leads to the tree companies charging higher than average. Demand for tree removal during winter is greatly reduced, and the tree companies will have very little work to do, hence, the prices are more affordable.
Make the tree accessible to machinery
If you need to remove some part of your fence or that of your neighbor to ensure that the tree contractors have access to the tree surroundings without stress, you should do it. This will prevent you from paying extra for tree removal. If the tree is located in the backyard, you should find a way to grant access through the back for easy access.
Consider Tree Pruning & Trimming
Proper tree maintenance habits may save you cost on tree removal. The most important ones are pruning and trimming. If you’re able to maintain your rapidly spreading gum trees, you will keep them under control. Shaping or pruning the tree will control the growth and spread of the tree on your property and you may not have the need to remove them for a long time.
If you’re considering pruning or trimming your gum tree, it is recommended you do this during the summer. Remember that gum trees bleed when their barks and branches get damaged and the hot weather can help speed up the healing process.
Remove more than one tree at once
If you need to remove two or more trees at the same time, you’re likely going to be paying less per single tree lopping.
DIY the stump removal
The gum tree is a shallow-rooted tree. The shallow roots make it easy to dig up the stump. With a few necessary tools, you can get rid of the stump yourself so you don’t have to pay extra for stump removal. If you have the right tools and safety equipment, follow these steps to remove your gum tree stumps:
Step 1: Measure 15 inches out from the stump and dig at least a 1-foot deep trench around the gum tree stump.
Step 2: Cut the exposed roots by cutting the roots with the landscape bar.
Step 3: Pull the root ball out of the ground by shoveling the end of the landscape bar under the root ball and pushing it down on its handle. Continue in this manner, working around the entire diameter of the stump, until it lifts out of the ground.
Step 4: Lift the stump out of the ground. Dig up any remaining roots and discard the debris.
Can I Get A Tree Company to Remove My Gum Tree for Free?
Lumber companies involved in commercial tree cutting and timber processing could cut your tree for free in exchange for the timber. This is mostly possible if you’re removing more than one gum tree. However, it is rare to find commercial lumber companies in the urban parts of Australia. Most of them operate from the rural areas due to the large-scale tree plantations and native forests.
In most cases, you will have to reach out to interested lopping companies to come and cut the trees on your property, process the wood into timber, and sell it on your behalf. You can also work out a deal with a local lumber business to buy your tree and cut it at their cost.
The gum tree is one of the most desirable trees for timber in Australia, so you may be lucky to find tree companies to remove it for free.
Author: Ben McInerney is a qualified arborist with over 15 years of industry experience. He uses his in-depth knowledge of the tree service industry to give readers to most accurate information on tree service costs and helps to educate them about the benefits of using a certified arborist for tree trimming and removal work.
