Grounds & Maintenance

Pruning that respects the plant and the council

Hedge shape, shrub renewal pruning, small-tree tidies across the Northern Rivers. We know Tweed Shire's protected-tree rules and we work to them.

Call 0401 364 405 Get a written quote

There’s a difference between trimming a hedge and pruning a plant properly. Most operators do the first; we try to do the second.

A hedge trim is shaping the green outer skin so the line is clean. A renewal prune on an older shrub is going deeper — cutting back to encourage new growth from the base, lifting the skirt where the lower branches have died off, removing crossing or rubbing branches that will end up tearing each other. The plant looks slightly more open right after a renewal prune; six weeks later, it’s lusher and better shaped than it would have been.

We work small-tree up to about 4 metres. Above that, you want an arborist with proper rigging, not a maintenance gardener on a step ladder. We’re happy to recommend; there are good ones in the region.

The Tweed Shire protected-tree rules matter. Several native species (different by zone) need council permission to prune above a certain limb size. We check before we start. If it’s protected and you want it worked on, you submit the application, council gives a yes or no, and we work to the approved scope. We don’t quietly cut into a protected tree because you asked us to; the fine lands on you, and the council doesn’t take “the tradie did it” as an excuse.

Cocos palms are their own category. Pruning a cocos palm is mostly pointless — they grow fronds, they shed fronds, the fronds end up in your gutters and on the lawn. If a cocos palm is a problem, the answer is usually removal, not pruning. We can quote, but anywhere it’s visible from public land or council reserve, we’ll check before we touch it.

When you need this

The reasons people call

Hedges have lost their shape and are growing into the path or the neighbour's
Shrubs have gone leggy and want renewal pruning
A specific shrub or small tree is in the wrong spot for sun or growth pattern
Pre-sale presentation

How we work

What actually happens

Walk the garden, identify what's protected (council/heritage), what needs the right season, what's safe to do now
Shape hedges with hedge trimmers; renewal-prune older shrubs with secateurs and a saw
Cut to outward-facing buds where it matters; respect the plant's natural shape rather than force a topiary look
Small tree work up to 4m only; anything bigger goes to an arborist
Green waste handled as part of the job

What's included

In the quoted price

Hedge trim to a clean shape
Shrub renewal pruning
Small tree branch tidies (up to 4m)
Green waste mulched on site or removed

Honest about scope

What can go wrong, what's not included, what we check first

FAQ

Garden Pruning questions, answered

Do you have a minimum service for lawn mowing?

We prefer regular fortnightly or monthly visits because it works out better for both sides — we know the block, you know what you're paying. One-offs are fine; they cost a bit more per visit than the recurring rate.

We have protected trees on the block — can you still do garden work?

Yes for everything that isn't the protected trees. For the trees themselves, council approval is required and you'd lodge that, not us. We won't quietly cut into a protected tree because you asked us to; the fine lands on you, not the tradie. We do check council mapping before quoting if it's relevant.

Can we book everything as one quarterly visit?

Yes. Plenty of clients book a quarterly grounds visit covering mowing, garden tidy, hedge trim and any small rubbish clear-out as a single morning's work. Cheaper per service than booking each individually, and the block gets the same crew each time.

Ready for a real number?

Phone is the fastest. Quote form if you'd rather write. Either way, you'll hear back with a written number, not a starting price.