Melbourne tree lopping ranges by tree size — priced as AS 4373-2007 crown reduction, not stub-cutting. Same visible outcome, done to the Australian Standard so the tree survives and doesn't grow back worse. $20M Insured & AQF Qualified.
"Lopping" is the plain-English word most Melbourne homeowners use — but what a qualified arborist actually performs under that request is AS 4373-2007 crown reduction: cuts placed at lateral branches so the tree keeps its natural shape and survives long-term. Same outcome (smaller tree), correct method (tree isn't damaged), similar cost to old-school lopping — sometimes slightly higher because the cuts take a bit more thought.
Below are the four bands we quote most often across Melbourne, Greater Melbourne and surrounds. See our tree lopping service page for what AS 4373 crown reduction actually involves and why we don't recommend traditional stub-cut lopping.
Four bands cover almost every residential lopping / crown reduction job. Take the height of your tree at its tallest point, and read across.
| Job Size | Typical Range | What's Included / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small Under 5m tall |
$250 – $600 | Small ornamentals, fruit trees, hedges being reduced. Half-day job for a 2-person crew, climbing rig, chipper included. |
| Medium 5m – 10m tall |
$500 – $1,200 | Backyard staples — established prunus, silver birch, small eucalypts. Usually full day, climbing rig or small EWP. |
| Large 10m – 15m tall |
$1,000 – $2,500 | Mature backyard canopy trees. Often EWP if branch structure isn't suitable for climbing. Full-day, 2–3 person crew. |
| Very Large / EWP 15m+ tall or EWP required |
$2,000 – $3,500+ | Very large trees or jobs over structures where EWP is essential. Hire cost included in the quote. May need staged reduction over two visits. |
Beyond height, four factors move a lopping quote within (or above) the bands.
AS 4373 caps single-visit reduction at about 25% of the live canopy — anything larger is staged over 2–3 visits to protect tree health. A 15% reduction is cheaper and quicker than a 25% one; larger reductions get priced as multi-visit.
Front-yard trees with driveway access are cheapest. Rear-yard trees behind side gates need branches walked out, adding crew time. If the gate is narrow, the chipper stays on the street and hoses run through — small logistical add.
Climbing is cheaper than EWP hire when the tree's branch structure supports it. EWP is safer and quicker for brittle or over-structure trees but adds a base hire cost. We flag on the quote which method the job needs.
Cuts over a lawn are quick. Cuts over a house, pool, shed, glasshouse or neighbour's property require controlled rigging — adds crew time and gear. On the largest jobs, cuts over structures push the quote to the top of the very-large band.
Every TLC lopping / crown reduction quote covers these as standard.
Cuts placed at lateral branches of appropriate diameter, so the retained lateral takes over as the new leader. No stub cuts, no arbitrary topping — the tree keeps its natural shape and doesn't throw stress regrowth in three years.
Whether the job is climbed or reached by EWP, labour is included in the quote. EWP hire is quoted up front if required.
Large limbs are lowered on ropes, not dropped — protects lawn, retaining walls, garden beds and neighbour property.
Branches chipped on-site while the crew works. Chip goes to your green bin, spread as mulch under the tree, or hauled away (haul-away is the only optional extra).
Fill in the form and the TLC Team will get back to you the same business day with an obligation-free quote — sized to your actual tree, yard and access, not an off-the-rack rate.
The questions Melbourne homeowners ask most often when getting a lopping / crown reduction quote.
For 2026, ranges are: small trees under 5m $250–$600, medium 5–10m $500–$1,200, large 10–15m $1,000–$2,500, very large 15m+ or EWP-required $2,000–$3,500+. These are indicative — access, reduction percentage and what's below the tree move quotes within the band. Every job is confirmed by a free site quote.
Because we don't cut the top off. Modern lopping is priced as AS 4373-2007 crown reduction — cuts placed at lateral branches so the tree keeps its natural shape and doesn't throw stress regrowth. This takes marginally longer than stub-cutting the same tree at a set height, but the tree survives long-term and doesn't need re-work in 3 years, which makes it far cheaper on any real timeframe. If someone quotes materially less than the bands above, they're offering something the tree pays for — and that you pay for again.
Up to about 25% of the live canopy in a single visit — that's the AS 4373 guideline for maintaining tree health. Beyond that, we stage the reduction over 2–3 visits typically 12 months apart. Trying to do 40–50% in one hit stresses the tree, invites decay, and produces the weak regrowth that makes traditional lopping so problematic.
Historically, 'lopping' meant cutting large branches back to stubs at a set height — cheap, fast, damaging. 'Pruning' meant careful cuts at correct anatomical points to shape or reduce a tree without hurting it. Modern arboriculture doesn't do old-school lopping. When Melbourne homeowners say 'lop the tree', what a qualified arborist actually performs is AS 4373 crown reduction — same visible outcome as lopping, correct method. Both are priced in the ranges on this page.
Depends on the tree and the council. Most Melbourne councils protect canopy trees, and 'lopping' — being a broad reduction — often meets the threshold that requires a permit. Councils like Bayside, Whitehorse, Boroondara and Monash all have specific rules around canopy trees and Significant Landscape Overlays. We check council rules as part of every quote and flag if a permit is required before we can start.
For non-permit-affected trees, sometimes yes — depends on crew availability that day. For anything requiring a permit application, no — councils take 2–6 weeks to process depending on the municipality. If it's a genuine emergency (storm damage, imminent hazard), that's a different service — see our emergency tree services.