Tree felling and tree removal
taking down whole trees safely, from small garden trees to large, awkward ones near structures.
Tree Felling and Tree Removal in Gauteng
Tree felling and tree removal in Gauteng should not cost you a wall, a roof, or half your garden. Tree Felling Guys are tree fellers and tree cutters based in Cosmo City, and we take trees down in controlled sections so nothing else comes down with them. If a tree needs to come down, a dead one has turned into a risk, or a giant is lifting your paving and blocking your light, we handle the cut, the lowering, and the clean-up, and we leave the site tidy.
We work right across the province, from Pretoria and Centurion in the north, through the Joburg metro, out to the East Rand and West Rand, and down to the Vaal. So whether the tree is in a tight Centurion complex, a Pretoria East garden, or a Roodepoort plot, we can get a real crew to it. Tell us where you are and what the tree is doing, and we will tell you exactly how we would take it down.
Here is why people trust us with trees they are nervous about. Our fellers have been taking trees down across Gauteng for 10 years, and the yard is in Cosmo City, so most of the province is under an hour away. We use proper rigging to lower heavy limbs in sections instead of dropping them and hoping for the best, our teams are trained for the dangerous work near roofs, walls, pools, and power lines, and every job ends with the mess taken away, not left on your lawn. We are fully insured, so your property is covered while we work. We are rated 5.0 on Google, and you can read what our customers say further down this page.
What Does Tree Felling Actually Involve?
Tree felling, which most people just call tree cutting, is the controlled process of taking a tree down safely, in a way that protects everything around it. For the plain-English version, see our guide on what tree felling is. On a wide-open plot you can drop a tree in one piece. In a Gauteng suburb, with a wall a metre away and a tiled roof behind it, you cannot. That is where rigging comes in.
Our approach is simple and it is the reason we do not damage property. We climb with harnesses and ropes, or work from a cherry picker when a tree is too tall or too weak to climb, and cut it in sections from the top down with chainsaws. Each piece is roped and lowered gently rather than dropped. Once the tree is down, we cut up the trunk, feed the branches through a wood chipper, and clear the site. If you want the stump gone too, our stump grinder takes it below ground, so nothing is left to regrow or trip over. See stump grinding and removal.
Tree Feller, Tree Surgeon or Arborist: Which One Do You Need?
People search for all three, and in South Africa the words overlap, so here is the plain version.
A tree feller takes trees down and removes them. That is the core of what Tree Felling Guys does: felling, rigging, stump grinding, and clearing the site.
A tree surgeon or arborist, or tree doctor as some people say, works on trees you want to keep. They assess health, diagnose pests like shot hole borer, prune to a plan, and tell you whether a tree can be saved or has to go. Our arborist and tree health service does this, and on any large or old tree we send the arborist before the fellers.
If you are not sure which you need, you need the assessment first. It is cheaper than a removal you did not have to do, and it is the only honest way to answer "does this tree have to come down?"
Tree Felling and Tree Cutting Services Across Gauteng
Stump grinding and removal
grinding stumps below ground so you can reclaim the space and stop regrowth.
Tree trimming and pruning
shaping, thinning, crown reduction and crown lifting to keep trees healthy, safe and off your roof. If you need a tree trimmed rather than felled, start here.
Emergency and dangerous tree removal
storm-damaged, leaning, or fallen trees dealt with fast.
Palm tree removal and trimming
specialist care for palms, including frond removal and full removal.
Hedge trimming and shaping
neat, even hedges kept in line.
Land and site clearing
clearing plots, fence lines, old orchards and overgrown ground for building or landscaping.
Alien and invasive tree removal
wattle, syringa, blue gum trees, invasive pines and other listed invaders removed properly.
Tree planting and transplanting
planting new trees or relocating healthy ones.
Garden refuse and green waste removal
hauling away branches, cuttings, logs and rubble. Want to keep the wood for firewood? Tell us and we leave the logs for you.
Estate and commercial tree maintenance
ongoing tree care for complexes, estates, and businesses.
Not sure whether a tree is sick or just messy? Our arborist and tree health services can assess it before you decide to fell it, including pests like the polyphagous shot hole borer that is killing trees across Gauteng. Sometimes a tree can be saved.
Who Do You Call When a Tree Falls in Your Yard?
Call us on 083 761 7228. Our emergency crew is on call 24/7 across Gauteng, and we charge the same rates for emergencies, with no after-hours surcharge.
A dead, leaning, or storm-damaged tree does not get safer with time. It gets heavier and more brittle, and the next Highveld storm decides the timing for you, usually onto a roof, a wall, or a car. Tall pines, gum trees, jacarandas and old oaks catch the most wind and come down the hardest. If a tree near your home is already a risk, do not wait for it to come down on its own. See our emergency and dangerous tree removal service, or call us on 083 761 7228 and we will assess it fast.
If a tree is touching a power line, keep everyone away and treat the line as live. Eskom or your municipal electricity department (City Power in Joburg) has to make the line safe before anyone cuts, and we will tell you exactly who to call.
If a fallen tree has damaged your roof, wall, or car, we send you the insurance paperwork within 2 days.
"Thank you to the Tree Felling guys they helped a tree that fell over our boundary wall. They were very friendly to chat with and quick turn around."
Binamra Thapa, via Google
How Much Does Tree Felling Cost?
The honest answer is that it depends on the tree, mostly its size, its health, and how hard it is to reach. A small tree in an open yard is quick. A large one leaning over your neighbour's roof, needing full rigging, takes longer and more care, so it costs more.
As a guide, most home tree felling jobs in Gauteng cost between R2,500 and R12,000. A small tree up to 5m starts from about R850, a medium tree of 5 to 10m runs R2,500 to R6,500, a large tree of 10 to 20m runs R6,500 to R15,000, and an extra-large tree over 20m can pass R25,000. Stump grinding costs R500 to R4,500+ per stump.
We do not do vague guesses over the phone and then surprise you on the day. We look at the tree, or a clear photo of it, and give you a firm quote before we start. For a full breakdown of what affects the price, see our tree felling prices page, then get a free quote for your exact tree.
Which Areas in Gauteng Do We Cover?
All of Gauteng. We run teams right across the province, and every area below has its own page, so you can go straight to yours and see exactly what we do there.
- Pretoria and Tshwane: tree felling in Pretoria (our Tshwane hub), Centurion (including Midstream), Pretoria East, Garsfontein, Moreleta Park, and Pretoria North.
- Joburg metro: tree felling in Johannesburg (our Johannesburg hub), Randburg, Roodepoort, Northcliff, Randpark Ridge, Fourways, Bryanston, Lone Hill, Sandton, Midrand, and Johannesburg South, including Southgate, Mondeor, and Glenvista.
- East Rand: Kempton Park, Benoni, Boksburg, Alberton, Edenvale, Bedfordview, Germiston, and Springs.
- West Rand: Krugersdorp.
- Vaal: Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, and Three Rivers.
Do not see your exact suburb? See the full list on our areas we serve in Gauteng page, or just ask us. If you are in Gauteng, we can almost certainly help.
Why Choose Tree Felling Guys?
- We have done this for 10 years. A decade of felling trees across Gauteng, from small garden jobs to large, awkward removals.
- We are rated 5.0 on Google. Read recent reviews below, and see more on our reviews page.
- We rig properly. Heavy limbs come down on ropes, in sections, not in one risky drop.
- We clean up. The tree leaves with us. No branches, no sawdust piles, no wood left behind unless you want it.
- We are local. Our fellers work out of Cosmo City and cover all of Gauteng, so we are not driving in from another province and we do not charge a travel fee.
- We are fully insured. Your property is protected while our team is on site.
What our customers say
"Had a huge tree in our yard in Cosmo City that we'd been putting off for ages. Finally called these guys and honestly so glad we did. They pitched up on time, were super careful around the house and our boundary wall, and cleaned up everything after. The yard was spotless when they left. Would 100% recommend if you need a tree taken down."
Previous Vundla, Cosmo City, via Google
"Tree Felling Guys helped us with cutting back some overgrown trees at our home in Centurion. The branches were getting too close to the roof and electric fence. They did a neat job and made sure nothing was damaged. They even cleaned the small branches and leaves afterwards. Really impressed with the service."
Lolo Moyo, Centurion, via Google
"We had a big dead tree in our Office in Randburg that was becoming a problem. Tree Felling Guys came out, gave us a reasonable quote and did a good job removing it. What I appreciated most was how they cleaned up afterwards. No branches left lying around. Very happy with their work."
Anathi Mseleni, Randburg, via Google
"Thanks for a job well done. Appreciate your professionalism."
Taoana Nthoba, via Google
Do You Need a Permit, and Which Trees Are Protected?
This trips a lot of people up, so it is worth knowing before you cut. Section 15 of the National Forests Act, 1998 bans anyone from cutting, damaging or removing a protected tree without a licence from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. The government's list of protected trees includes indigenous trees such as the marula, the camel thorn and the shepherd's tree.
We help you stay on the right side of it. For the detail, read our guides on tree felling permits and bylaws in Gauteng and protected and indigenous trees in South Africa. If you are unsure whether your tree is protected, send us a photo and we will point you in the right direction.
Who Do You Ask About a Street Tree in Johannesburg, Tshwane or Ekurhuleni?
A tree on the pavement or road verge belongs to the municipality, even if you planted it and even if its roots are cracking your wall. You may not cut, prune, or remove it yourself, and no private tree feller may do it for you.
- check_circleJohannesburg: Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo looks after street trees, and only City Parks may prune or remove one. Write to City Parks, and its tree experts will assess the tree and decide what work to do.
- check_circleTshwane: contact the City of Tshwane before anyone touches a pavement tree in Pretoria or Centurion.
- check_circleEkurhuleni: the City of Ekurhuleni owns sidewalk trees across the East Rand, from Kempton Park to Boksburg. Log a request with the call centre on 0860 543 000, and the City investigates before it approves the work.
Cutting a council tree without permission can earn you a fine plus the cost of the tree's replacement value. If the tree stands inside your boundary, it is yours, and we can fell it once we have checked it is not a protected species.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Felling
How much does tree felling cost in Gauteng?
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Most home tree felling jobs in Gauteng cost between R2,500 and R12,000. A small tree up to 5m starts from about R850, and an extra-large tree over 20m can pass R25,000. Stump grinding costs R500 to R4,500+ per stump. See our tree felling prices page for the full breakdown, then get a firm quote for your tree.
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree on my property in South Africa?
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Sometimes. Trees on the protected list under the National Forests Act need a licence before anyone cuts them, and a tree on the pavement belongs to the municipality, not to you. Our tree felling permits and bylaws guide covers it, and we are happy to advise on your specific tree.
Which trees are you not allowed to cut down in South Africa?
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Protected trees under the National Forests Act, such as the marula, the camel thorn and the shepherd's tree, cannot be cut, damaged or removed without a licence. Our protected and indigenous trees guide lists more of them. Send us a photo if you are not sure what you have.
What is the law on my neighbour's tree in South Africa?
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If a neighbour's tree overhangs your property, you can usually trim the overhanging branches back to the boundary line at your own cost, but you cannot enter their property or remove the tree without their consent. Where a tree is causing real damage or danger, it is normally settled between neighbours or through the municipality. We can assess a boundary or overhanging tree and advise on the safest way forward, and our permits and bylaws guide has more.
Are you insured, and what does tree felling insurance actually cover?
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Yes. Tree Felling Guys carries public liability insurance, which covers damage to your property, and your neighbour's, if something goes wrong while our crew is on site. Ask any tree feller for proof of cover before they start; an uninsured operator who drops a limb on your roof leaves you paying for it. Your own household policy is a separate matter: it usually covers storm damage from a fallen tree, but rarely covers removing a tree that fell on an empty lawn. Our emergency tree felling page explains what insurers ask for after a tree comes down.
Can I remove a tree myself?
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Small trimming can be done at home, but felling a full tree near a wall, roof, or power line is dangerous and DIY accidents may not be covered by your insurance. If you want to understand the method first, see our guide on how to fell a tree safely. For anything large, leaning, or close to structures, call a professional team.
When should a tree be felled?
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A tree usually needs to come down when it is dead, diseased beyond saving, unstable or leaning dangerously, or growing into a wall, roof, or power line. Roots are the other big reason: lifting paving, cracking foundations, or breaking into drains and sewer pipes. If you are unsure whether it is a felling job or something an arborist can treat, we will look at it and tell you honestly.
Can tree roots damage drains, sewer pipes and foundations?
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Yes. Roots follow water, so they push into cracked drains and sewer pipes and keep growing until the pipe blocks or breaks. Ficus trees (including rubber trees), willows and poplars are the worst offenders near Gauteng homes. Cutting roots alone rarely solves it, so we fell the tree and grind the stump so the roots die off and cannot regrow.
How long does a tree felling job take?
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Most residential trees are done within a day, often in a few hours. Large trees needing full rigging, or a group of trees, can take longer. We tell you the timeframe when we quote.
Which areas do you cover?
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All of Gauteng, from Pretoria and Centurion to the Joburg metro, East Rand, West Rand, and the Vaal. See our areas we serve page or just ask.
Get a Free Tree Felling Quote
Ready to get that tree sorted? Send us a message or a photo and we will come and look, or quote from the picture.