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Best Tree Services in Dunedin

We assessed 14 tree services in Dunedin 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 204 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 Dunedin

The top 5 tree services in Dunedin are Crown Arborist, Tree Craft NZ, Elmwood Tree Services, Treeman, and D M Holdings, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you hire.

  • 1

    Crown Arborist Dunedin

    ★ 5.0 37 reviews Top5 Score 147
    5★ 37

    Hire them if you have mature trees that need careful shaping to improve sight lines or garden access. They check in mid-job to confirm the result matches what you wanted, rather than just finishing to their own standard.

    Reviews most often describe: Homeowners with overgrown trees blocking light or views

    • ✓ Arrives on time with a clear plan
    • ✓ Lets customers keep mulch from the job
    • ✓ Shapes trees to look balanced and natural
    map Map Is this your business?
  • 2

    Tree Craft NZ

    ★ 5.0 28 reviews -1 Top5 Score 146 -1
    5★ 28

    Hire them for same-day or next-day emergency work like wind-fallen or rain-leaning trees, where prompt arrival and fast execution matter more than scheduling weeks ahead. Matt handles onsite chipping and slope haulage without needing multiple contractors or offsite waste removal.

    Reviews most often describe: Urgent tree removal and emergency storm damage callouts

    • ✓ Arrives promptly for urgent jobs
    • ✓ Chips debris onsite to avoid multiple trips
    • ✓ Leaves property spotless after completion
    map Map Is this your business?
  • 3

    Elmwood Tree Services - Dunedin Arborist

    ★ 5.0 16 reviews +2 Top5 Score 144
    5★ 16

    Hire them for significant stump extraction work where root systems need complete removal rather than surface grinding. One reviewer specifically called out their ability to tackle an enormous willow tree stump and roots, suggesting depth of equipment and method.

    Reviews most often describe: Large stump and root removal jobs requiring excavation

    • ✓ Removes large tree stumps completely
    • ✓ Handles root system extraction
    • ✓ Works on established mature trees
    map Map Is this your business?
  • 4

    Treeman

    ★ 5.0 24 reviews Top5 Score 142
    5★ 23 4★ 1

    Hire them when you need multiple trees felled and site cleared in one visit without leaving debris behind. They bring equipment to chip wood on-site and work at pace, finishing 4-hour jobs that would leave most yards bare and tidy.

    Reviews most often describe: Large tree removal and overgrown section clearing jobs

    • ✓ Chips felled trees on-site
    • ✓ Leaves site cleared same day
    • ✓ Handles complex stump removal

    location_on 7 McLeod Road, Burnside, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 5

    D M HOLDINGS

    ↑ 2
    ★ 4.6 23 reviews +2 Top5 Score 138 +2
    5★ 20 2★ 2 1★ 1

    Hire them for larger land clearance jobs where scope might shift mid-project, as they handle late changes without significant cost blowout. They turn up at the scheduled time and complete what they promise, with a team that works safely and efficiently on steep or difficult terrain.

    Reviews most often describe: Section clearing, tree felling, and overgrown land work

    • ✓ Absorbs scope changes without repricing
    • ✓ Arrives on time for scheduled work
    • ✓ Handles steep driveway felling safely

    location_on 5 Buller Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?

Before you hire a tree service in Dunedin

Drawn from 127 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 removals in New Zealand start from around $500, while large or complex jobs can exceed $5,000. Stump grinding is usually quoted separately, ranging from $150 to $500 per stump. Pruning a single residential tree often falls between $200 and $1,500, depending on size and access. What drives cost most is tree size, proximity to structures, difficulty of access, and whether green waste disposal is included in the price.

What qualifications and insurance should a tree service have? expand_more

There is no government licence required to call yourself an arborist in New Zealand, so you need to check credentials yourself before hiring. The industry standard is the New Zealand Certificate in Arboriculture (Level 3 or Level 4), and the New Zealand Arboricultural Association (NZAA) maintains a public register you can search to verify membership. Public liability insurance of at least $1 million cover is essential, because tree work near structures, fences, or neighbouring properties carries real risk of costly damage. For any work near powerlines, only suitably qualified persons are permitted to carry out or supervise that work under the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003, so confirm that specific credential separately.

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

Whether you need consent depends on your local council's District Plan, which may list your tree as a scheduled or notable tree, or apply blanket protections to certain species or sizes. Check your council's GIS maps or District Plan before any work begins, as removing a protected tree without consent can result in enforcement action, fines under the Resource Management Act 1991, and a requirement to replace the tree at your own cost. Resource consent applications for protected trees can cost between $500 and $3,000 in council processing fees alone, so factor that into your planning before you get quotes.

What are the warning signs of a tree service you shouldn't hire? expand_more
  • –Carrying out work without agreement, including removing more than was discussed or agreed in writing, is a serious red flag seen in at least one negative review in this market.
  • –Poor communication before and during the job, including failing to notify clients of schedule changes, signals unreliable operations.
  • –Leaving debris, logs, or damage on your property without remedying it suggests the operator does not take site responsibility seriously.
  • –Pricing that is vague or only given verbally leaves you with no recourse if the scope or cost changes unexpectedly.
  • –An operator who cannot confirm public liability insurance before starting work puts you at financial risk if anything goes wrong.
  • –Indifference when a complaint is raised, rather than a clear process to resolve it, is a strong indicator to look elsewhere.
What should you ask before hiring a tree service? expand_more
  • –Ask for written confirmation of public liability insurance cover and check that workers on site are also covered, not just the operator.
  • –Confirm whether cleanup, wood chipping, and green waste removal are included in the quote or priced as extras.
  • –Ask whether stump grinding is included or quoted separately, and whether they check for underground services such as pipes and cables before grinding begins.
  • –Check whether any tree on your property requires council consent before removal, and ask if the operator can advise on or has experience navigating that process.
  • –Ask what happens if the job turns out to be more complex than the original quote, and get their process for that in writing.
  • –Request that the scope of work, including exactly which trees or branches are to be removed or pruned, is clearly set out in the quote so there is no ambiguity on the day.

Tree Services ranked 6 to 10 in Dunedin

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

  • 6

    Tui Tree to Timber Limited

    ↓ 1
    ★ 5.0 16 reviews Top5 Score 136
    5★ 16

    Hire them for larger tree work on tricky sites where safety around structures matters, as they assess risk carefully and execute without damaging surroundings. They stand out for milling logs on-site to your specifications rather than just removing trees, which saves you hauling and processing costs.

    Reviews most often describe: Tree felling, branch removal, and on-site milling work

    • ✓ Milling logs on-site to customer specs
    • ✓ Assesses safety risks before felling
    • ✓ Competitive pricing for multi-tree jobs
    map Map Is this your business?
  • 7

    Valley Arborists

    ↓ 1
    ★ 5.0 16 reviews Top5 Score 136
    5★ 16

    Hire them when you need a job done safely under difficult conditions, whether that's removing broken limbs mid-storm or felling multiple large trees near structures. They bring problem-solving to the planning stage, offering cost-efficient alternatives like using retained trees as nursery stock rather than just executing what you've asked for.

    Reviews most often describe: Emergency storm damage and technically difficult tree felling

    • ✓ Removes hazardous limbs during storms
    • ✓ Proposes alternatives to reduce long-term costs
    • ✓ Responds to short-notice callouts
    map Map Is this your business?
  • 8

    Super Lawn Mowing and Gardening Dunedin

    ↑ 2
    ★ 4.5 24 reviews Top5 Score 135 +7
    5★ 17 4★ 5 1★ 2

    Landlords managing properties remotely get quotes, updates, and job completion handled without needing to be on site. Scott has proactively flagged extra tasks during visits and completed them on the spot, saving clients a return booking.

    Reviews most often describe: Absentee landlords and overgrown property catch-ups

    • ✓ Same-visit quotes and start
    • ✓ Texts and emails with job updates
    • ✓ Extra tasks added during visit

    location_on 8 The Octagon, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 9

    Kea Treeworks

    ↓ 1
    ★ 5.0 10 reviews Top5 Score 131
    5★ 10

    Hire them for gum tree pruning, topping, or removal on your property, particularly if you have multiple trees or need ongoing maintenance. They leave the site tidy without being asked, supply mulch piles, and follow up after the job is done.

    Reviews most often describe: Gum tree work and shelter belt management on residential land

    • ✓ Leaves mulch pile on request
    • ✓ Follows up after job completion
    • ✓ Returns for repeat work on same property

    location_on 86 Manse Road, Waitati

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 10

    Pattison Property Solutions

    ★ 5.0 10 reviews Top5 Score 131
    5★ 10

    Pattison Property Solutions clears fallen or problem trees and leaves sites cleaned and tidied without needing a separate cleanup crew. Dylan quotes fast and turns up promptly, delivering finished sections that look restored rather than just cleared.

    Reviews most often describe: Fallen tree cleanup and full section clearance jobs

    • ✓ Cleans site thoroughly after felling
    • ✓ Quotes and arrives quickly
    • ✓ Prices under initial estimate
    map Map Is this your business?

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About this ranking

How are the top tree services in Dunedin chosen? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for tree services in Dunedin. 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 Dunedin. 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 10. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.