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Best Tree Services in Christchurch

We assessed 19 tree services in Christchurch and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. The 10 listed below hold 1,251 Google reviews between them. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 8 July 2026. How we rank →

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Before you hire

Tree removal and large-scale pruning is hazardous work. Always confirm the operator carries public liability insurance and, if the tree is near a boundary or structure, ask whether a council resource consent is needed before any work begins.

Top 5 Tree Services in Christchurch

The top 5 tree services in Christchurch are Garden and Tree Men, Tree Medic, The Tree Guys, Jim's Trees, and Canterbury Tree Experts, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you hire.

  • 1

    Garden and Tree Men

    ★ 5.0 310 reviews +33 Top5 Score 187 +14
    5★ 303 4★ 7

    Garden and Tree Men turns around jobs from initial contact to completion fast, with Leo available to clarify scope and resolve misunderstandings by phone before work starts. Their crews adapt mid-job when clients request changes and offer their own technical advice to match what you actually want, not just what the quote covered.

    Reviews most often describe: Tree removal and hedge work with quote disputes resolved quickly

    • ✓ Prompt quotes and same-week site visits
    • ✓ Resolves quote disputes before work begins
    • ✓ Leaves garden completely clean and tidy

    location_on 14B Castile Place, Christchurch

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 2

    Tree Medic Ltd

    ↑ 1
    ★ 5.0 134 reviews +5 Top5 Score 171 +8
    5★ 134

    Hire them for large tree removal or multi-tree pruning where site care and neighbour negotiation matter. Svend handles difficult conversations with neighbours about overhanging branches and leaves sites immaculate, which saves you cleanup time and potential disputes.

    Reviews most often describe: Property owners removing large trees or pruning multiple trees

    • ✓ Leaves site immaculate after work
    • ✓ Negotiates neighbour tree disputes
    • ✓ Cuts felled trees into firewood-ready pieces

    location_on 34c Harrison Street, Mairehau, Christchurch

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 3

    The Tree Guys Christchurch Ltd

    ★ 4.9 233 reviews Top5 Score 169
    5★ 225 4★ 6 3★ 1 1★ 1

    The Tree Guys Christchurch Ltd handles large felling and pollarding jobs with advance communication about delays and same-day emergency callouts for fallen trees across driveways. They leave worksites tidier than they found them and travel outside Christchurch to Akaroa, widening their service range beyond city limits.

    Reviews most often describe: Homeowners needing quick turnaround on large tree removal or pruning

    • ✓ Updates you if running late
    • ✓ Site left tidier than arrival
    • ✓ Stump removal in under an hour

    location_on 36c Rosewarne Street, Spreydon, Christchurch

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 4

    Jim's Trees

    ↓ 2
    ★ 4.9 166 reviews Top5 Score 165
    5★ 158 4★ 5 3★ 1 1★ 2

    If you need a tree felled or trimmed and want fast turnaround with competitive pricing, this outfit responds within hours where competitors take days. Ground cleanup and site tidying happen as part of the job, and they work around existing garden features you want to protect.

    Reviews most often describe: Tree removal and trimming with tight scheduling needs

    • ✓ Responds same day to quote requests
    • ✓ Completes jobs on scheduled date
    • ✓ Site leaf-raked and tidied after work

    location_on 56 Conway Street, Somerfield, Christchurch

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 5

    Canterbury Tree Experts

    ↓ 1
    ★ 5.0 70 reviews +3 Top5 Score 160 +5
    5★ 70

    Hire them for jobs where speed and site cleanliness matter as much as the cutting itself. Ben's team quotes transparently upfront and completes work faster than clients expect without leaving debris or mess.

    Reviews most often describe: Tree removal and pruning on residential and lifestyle properties

    • ✓ Site left with no visible trace of work
    • ✓ Quotes match final price without surprises
    • ✓ Completes jobs faster than quoted timeframe

    location_on Greenfield Place, Mairehau, Christchurch

    map Map Is this your business?

Before you hire a tree service in Christchurch

Drawn from 88 customer reviews collected for this page. The first answer is what it costs.

What does tree removal or pruning typically cost in New Zealand? expand_more

Small tree removal runs $500 to $1,500, while large trees often cost $2,000 to $5,000 or more. Stump grinding is quoted separately and usually adds $150 to $500 per stump. Crown pruning for a single residential tree commonly falls between $200 and $800, rising steeply for multiple large trees. Size, access difficulty, proximity to structures, and whether waste disposal is included all push costs higher.

What qualifications and insurance should a tree service have? expand_more

There is no mandatory government licence for arborists in New Zealand, so you need to check credentials yourself before hiring anyone. The benchmark to look for is the NZ Certificate in Arboriculture (Level 3 or 4) and membership of the New Zealand Arboricultural Association, whose public register lets you verify a contractor in minutes. Public liability insurance of at least $1 million is essential: tree work near structures, fences, or vehicles carries real risk, and an uninsured operator leaves you exposed to repair costs if something goes wrong. For any work near powerlines, the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003 require a suitably qualified person to carry out or supervise the job, so confirm this specifically if lines are involved.

Do I need council consent to remove a tree on my property? expand_more

Many trees in Christchurch are protected under the District Plan, and removing or significantly pruning one without resource consent can result in fines under the Resource Management Act 1991, plus a council requirement to replace the tree at your own cost. Check the Christchurch City Council GIS maps and District Plan schedules before any work begins, as protections apply to scheduled notable trees and in some cases to trees above a certain size or species. Resource consent applications cost $500 to $3,000 or more in council processing fees alone, so confirming a tree's status early saves you from an expensive surprise.

What are the warning signs of a tree service you shouldn't hire? expand_more
  • –No written quote provided before work starts, leaving you with no agreed scope or price to reference if a dispute arises.
  • –Pressure to start immediately without a site visit or assessment of access, nearby structures, or underground services.
  • –No evidence of public liability insurance when you ask directly, or vague reassurances instead of documented proof.
  • –A quote that excludes waste removal and disposal without clearly stating this upfront, so you are left with logs and green waste on site.
  • –Removing trees or limbs beyond what was agreed without pausing to get your approval first.
  • –No process for checking underground services such as pipes and cables before stump grinding begins.
What should you ask before hiring a tree service? expand_more
  • –Do you carry public liability insurance, and are your workers covered under a workplace injury scheme? Ask for proof before signing anything.
  • –Is cleanup and green waste disposal included in the quoted price, or will logs and chippings be left on site?
  • –Will you check for underground pipes and cables before any stump grinding begins, and what is your process for doing so?
  • –Does removing this tree require resource consent from the council, and can you advise me on that before work starts?
  • –What happens to the price if the job turns out to be more complex than expected: do you agree a variation in writing before continuing?
  • –Can you provide the quote in writing with a clear scope of work so both parties know exactly what is and is not included?

Tree Services ranked 6 to 10 in Christchurch

They scored below the top 5 on the same public review record.

  • 6

    Arborpro Canterbury Limited

    ★ 4.8 108 reviews +6 Top5 Score 157 +4
    5★ 102 1★ 6

    Hire them when you need tree trimming, topping, or large tree removal done quickly and without long waiting times. Same-day stump removal callouts and pricing significantly lower than competing quotes set them apart from other local tree services.

    Reviews most often describe: Property owners needing fast turnaround on tree work and stump removal

    • ✓ Same-day stump removal bookings
    • ✓ Pricing 2-3 times lower than competing quotes
    • ✓ Large tree takedowns in difficult locations
    map Map Is this your business?
  • 7

    Beaver Tree Service

    ★ 4.8 77 reviews Top5 Score 155 +2
    5★ 72 4★ 1 3★ 2 2★ 1 1★ 1

    Hire them for jobs where precision matters as much as speed, particularly felling large trees near fences or neighbours without causing collateral damage. They routinely finish site cleanup the same day and handle overhanging branches on neighbouring property without requiring follow-up work from you.

    Reviews most often describe: Large tree felling on boundary lines with tight site access

    • ✓ Completes site cleanup and tidying same day
    • ✓ Fells large trees on boundary lines without damage
    • ✓ Quotes quickly and books promptly

    location_on 1/373 Wigram Road, Halswell, Christchurch

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 8

    Garden City Tree Service

    ↓ 3
    ★ 5.0 67 reviews +1 Top5 Score 155
    5★ 67

    Hire them if you need a tree job done fast without fuss, with someone who shows up, communicates clearly, and handles the cleanup while you watch. Dan arrives with a plan, works through the advice stage without pressure, and leaves no debris behind, even on jobs involving dense hedges or large removals.

    Reviews most often describe: Urgent tree removal and pruning with same-day responsiveness

    • ✓ Removes large trees and cleans up thoroughly
    • ✓ Gives care advice on remaining trees after work
    • ✓ Works around other plants without damage during removal

    location_on 126 Pine Avenue, South New Brighton, Christchurch

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 9

    Alex The Arborist Ltd

    ★ 5.0 37 reviews Top5 Score 153
    5★ 37

    Alex The Arborist Ltd completes stump grinding and tree trimming work the same day a site visit is requested, with grinding and debris removal handled thoroughly and site left tidy. Reviewers report receiving photo estimates showing the scope of work and after-job photos, which clarifies expectations before work begins.

    Reviews most often describe: Same-day stump grinding and multi-tree trimming jobs

    • ✓ Same-day site viewings and estimates
    • ✓ Thorough stump grinding with no debris left
    • ✓ Site left completely clear and tidy

    location_on 31 Howard Street, Spreydon, Christchurch

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 10

    The Tree People

    ↓ 2
    ★ 4.9 49 reviews +2 Top5 Score 151 +3
    5★ 45 4★ 3 1★ 1

    Hire them when you need tree work done without delays or attitude problems. Staff show up on time, explain what they're doing, and finish the job.

    Reviews most often describe: Property owners needing straightforward tree work completion

    • ✓ Prompt arrival and completion
    • ✓ Polite on-site manner
    • ✓ Knowledgeable about the work

    location_on 112 Bamford Street, Woolston, Christchurch

    map Map Is this your business?

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About this ranking

How are the top tree services in Christchurch chosen? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for tree services in Christchurch. Each one is scored on its public rating and review record. Businesses outside the area, or whose reviews describe a different line of work, are left out. See how we rank for the full method.

How often are rankings updated? expand_more

Every category and city is recrawled on a rolling cycle, about once a month. This page was last checked on 8 July 2026.

Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more

No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verifying a business is free. A subscription adds a website link on the card, a public profile page, and competitor and ranking history in the owner's dashboard, none of which affects ranking position. See what a subscription includes.

Why isn't my business listed? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for tree services in Christchurch. The usual reasons for missing out are a Google Business category that does not match, too few reviews to score near the top, or an address outside the area we cover. At the last update, the smallest review count among the 10 businesses listed here was 37. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.