Tree Removal Dandenong
Razor Blade Tree Specialists works on homes and properties across Dandenong, from the established streets on the north-west bank of Dandenong Creek to newer housing near Lonsdale Street and the Metro 3175 redevelopment on the old livestock market site. We are family owned, have been operating since 2006, and are based at Narre Warren North. Every job gets our own crew and a Level 5 qualified arborist. Call for a free quote and a straight answer on whether council needs to sign off first.
About The Area
Dandenong is the council seat of the City of Greater Dandenong, about 29 km south-east of the CBD. The suburb sits mainly on the north-west bank of Dandenong Creek, which rises in the Dandenong Ranges near Olinda and runs about 53 km before joining Eumemmerring Creek to form the Patterson River. Joseph Hawdon took up a pastoral run here in 1837, a township was surveyed in 1852 and the station opened in 1877, so Dandenong has a long settlement history, now mixed with newer medium-density projects such as Metro 3175, planned for around 1,100 residences on the former livestock market.
How council protects trees. In December 2023 Council endorsed the Tree Protection on Private Land Local Law 2023. Any tree on private land with a trunk diameter of 40 cm or more at 1.4 metres above ground is now protected, and removing one needs a permit. Applications must include an independent arborist's report setting out species, diameter, height, health, structural condition and retention value, and clearly showing why removal is needed. Removing or pruning a protected tree without approval can lead to infringements or prosecution. Pruning is exempt when it is done by a qualified arborist to AS 4373-2007, with qualifications supplied and before and after photos kept, and there is an emergency exemption where part of a tree is an immediate hazard, as determined by an arborist with at least an AQF Level 5 qualification.
Planning controls can apply as well. From 15 September 2025, Clause 52.37 introduced permit requirements for removing canopy trees in all residential zones: trees over 5 metres tall, with a trunk circumference above 0.5 metres at 1.4 metres and a canopy of at least 4 metres. Clause 52.17 separately controls native vegetation on land larger than 0.4 hectares. Where a planning permit is required, council assesses the tree under the planning scheme rather than the local law, and planning rules win if the two conflict. Council's advice is to call 8571 1000 before removing any tree or vegetation.
Trees and terrain. Council describes River Red Gums as often found along waterways, parks and open spaces in Greater Dandenong and notes they can live for up to 1000 years. Near the creek and in older gardens these are big, heavy trees, and taking one down or reducing it is a rigging job rather than a simple fell. Busy arterials such as the Princes Highway, Stud Road, Cheltenham Road, Heatherton Road and the Dandenong Bypass also mean access and traffic need planning on many sites.
Open space in and near the suburb includes the Dandenong Showgrounds, Shepley Oval, Greaves Reserve, George Andrews Reserve and Carroll Reserve, plus the Dandenong Wetlands around the junction with Dandenong North and Doveton. Our pages for neighbouring Noble Park, Keysborough and Springvale cover the same council rules from a local angle.
What We Do
Typical Dandenong jobs include removing large trees that have outgrown older house blocks, crown reduction and deadwood removal over roofs and driveways, palm tree removal, hedge trimming, and stump grinding ahead of renovations or new units. Because many removals here now need a council permit, we prepare arborist reports covering the details Greater Dandenong asks for. We also take on storm and emergency work, land and block clearing on development sites, bamboo removal, and mulching and green waste removal, so the site is left ready for the next stage.
Why Razor Blade
Razor Blade Tree Specialists is a family business that has been working on trees since 2006. Every Dandenong job is assessed by our Level 5 qualified arborist and carried out by our own crew, never subcontractors, so the people who quote are the people who turn up. We are fully insured with $20 million public liability. We work for homeowners, councils and schools, keep to standard hours of 7am to 5pm, and run 24/7 emergency call outs when a tree comes down. Every quote is free, with no obligation, and we clean up before we leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact about a tree permit in Dandenong?
The City of Greater Dandenong. Its planning enquiries and customer service line is 8571 1000, and its email is council@cgd.vic.gov.au. Council asks residents to call before removing any tree or vegetation.
How big does a tree have to be before it is protected?
Under the Tree Protection on Private Land Local Law 2023, a tree is protected when its trunk diameter is 40 cm or more at 1.4 metres above ground. That is roughly 126 cm around the trunk. We can measure it for you at the quote.
What does council want in the arborist report?
Council asks for an independent arborist's report that gives the species, diameter at 1.4 metres, height, health, structural condition and retention value, and that clearly shows why removal is needed. We prepare arborist reports as one of our services.
How much does tree removal cost in Dandenong?
Price depends on size, species, condition, access and what is underneath, such as power lines, sheds or a neighbour's roof. We will not give a figure until the tree has been seen, and the on-site quote is free. Council permit fees are separate.
There is a large River Red Gum on my property. Can it come out?
Possibly not, and it will almost certainly need a permit first. Council places a high value on River Red Gums, which can live for centuries. Often the better answer is pruning or weight reduction to the Australian Standard, which we can quote alongside any removal option.
Do you do storm and emergency work in Dandenong?
Yes. Emergency call outs are available 24/7 on 0481 111 804. Do not try to move a split or hanging limb yourself, and keep clear of any wires it has brought down.
Can I send photos before you visit?
Yes. Photos of the whole tree, the trunk at its base, and anything underneath it help us give an early opinion. Send them to info@razorbladetreespecialists.com.au or text 0481 111 804.
I am building units. Will the trees need a planning permit?
They may. Clause 52.37 can require a planning permit for canopy trees in residential zones, and where a planning permit applies, council assesses the tree under the planning scheme instead of the local law. Check with council's planning team on 8571 1000 before demolition or clearing.