Question 1

How much does tree felling cost in Cape Town?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the tree's height and species, how close it is to buildings, walls or power lines, and how easy the site is to reach. A small garden tree might be R1,200–R2,500, while a large pine or gum tight against a house can run into several thousand rand. We give a firm written quote after a free on-site look — labour, climbing, take-down, hauling and clean-up all included, with no surprises on the day.

Question 2

What makes one tree more expensive to fell than another?

Accepted Answer

Five things drive the price: the tree's size and species (a soft fast-grown gum cuts differently to a dense old oak), how close it is to structures and power lines, whether we can drop it whole or have to climb and dismantle it in sections, site access for getting the wood out, and whether you want the stump ground out too. We walk through all of it on the free quote so the number you get is the number you pay.

Question 3

Do you charge a call-out fee for a quote?

Accepted Answer

No. Quotes are free and come with no obligation. We come out, look at the tree and the site, and give you an honest fixed price. You only pay if you go ahead with the work.

Question 4

Do I need a permit to fell a tree in Cape Town?

Accepted Answer

Most trees on private property can be felled without a permit. The exceptions are protected indigenous species, certain heritage trees, and trees on or near a heritage or conservation site — these can need City of Cape Town or provincial approval before any work starts. We'll flag it during the free assessment and point you in the right direction if a permit is required.

Question 5

Which trees are protected around Cape Town?

Accepted Answer

Nationally protected species (like the real yellowwood, Podocarpus species, and milkwood / Sideroxylon inerme) are protected wherever they grow and need a permit to fell or prune heavily, even on private land. On top of that, the City of Cape Town can declare individual heritage trees and protect trees in conservation areas. Most ornamental and alien trees — pines, gums, wattles, palms, oaks planted as garden trees — are not protected, but we always check before we cut.

Question 6

What about alien invasive trees like rooikrans and Port Jackson?

Accepted Answer

Declared invasive species (rooikrans, Port Jackson, blackwood, Port Jackson willow and similar) generally should be removed under the national alien-clearing rules — no permit needed to take them out, and clearing them is good for the property and the surrounding fynbos. We remove them, haul them away, and can treat the stumps so they don't sucker back.

Question 7

Can you help with the permit if one is needed?

Accepted Answer

We'll tell you clearly when a permit is needed and what the City of Cape Town requires, and we'll provide the photos and tree details you need for the application. We don't lodge municipal applications on your behalf, but we make sure you're not caught out — we won't fell a protected tree without the paperwork in place.

Question 8

Do you remove all the wood and mess afterwards?

Accepted Answer

Yes — every quote includes hauling away the timber and brush and raking the site clean. We leave your garden tidier than we found it, not buried under a pile of logs and branches.

Question 9

Can you leave the logs for firewood?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. If you'd like the logs cut to firewood length and stacked instead of taken away, just say so when you book and we'll sort it — it usually saves a little on the quote too.

Question 10

Do you grind out the stump as well?

Accepted Answer

Felling leaves a low, neat stump by default. If you want the stump gone — to pave, build or replant — we grind it out below ground level or dig out the root ball as an add-on. Mention it on the quote call and we'll price both together.

Question 11

Will the tree grow back if I leave the stump?

Accepted Answer

Some species (gums, certain palms and wattles) will sucker and send up new shoots from a left stump. If that's a concern we'll either grind it out or treat it so it doesn't regrow. We'll advise on the call which trees are likely to come back.

Question 12

How long does a typical tree felling job take?

Accepted Answer

Most single-tree jobs are done in a few hours. A straightforward garden tree can be down, cleared and tidied inside half a day; a large tree that has to be climbed and dismantled in sections, or a plot with several trees, may take a full day or more. We give you a realistic time on the quote.

Question 13

How quickly can you respond to a fallen or storm-damaged tree?

Accepted Answer

For genuine emergencies — a tree on your roof, blocking your driveway, leaning on a wall, or near power lines — we run call-outs day or night during Cape Town's storm season and aim to get a crew out as fast as possible. Phone the booking line and tell us it's urgent.

Question 14

Are you insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we're fully insured for public liability on every job. On tight sites we rope-climb and lower the tree in controlled sections rather than dropping it whole, so nothing below gets hit, and you're covered either way.

Question 15

Will my insurance cover storm-damage tree removal?

Accepted Answer

Many household policies cover storm-damage tree removal and the resulting repairs. We can provide a written quote and photos for your claim, clear the tree so the assessor and roofers can get to work, and supply paperwork on request.

Question 16

Which areas of Cape Town do you cover?

Accepted Answer

All of greater Cape Town — from the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl through the Southern Suburbs, the South Peninsula and the Northern Suburbs, out to the Helderberg. If you're in the Cape, we'll come to you. Check the service areas page to confirm your suburb.

Question 17

How do I book a tree felling job?

Accepted Answer

You can book by calling us on 021 000 0000, submitting a quote request on our website, or emailing info@protreefellingcapetown.co.za. We'll respond quickly with a firm quote and available times.

Question 18

Do I need to be home while you do the work?

Accepted Answer

It helps for the initial quote so we can talk through exactly what you want, but you don't have to be there for the felling itself as long as we have clear access and instructions. We can send before-and-after photos for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing & Quotes

Permits & Protected Trees

Wood, Stumps & Clean-Up

Timing, Emergencies & Insurance

Areas & Booking

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