Tree felling and tree removal
taking down whole trees safely, from small garden trees to large, awkward ones near structures. This is what this page is about.
Tree Felling and Tree Removal in Gauteng
Tree felling and tree removal across Gauteng is what we do. Tree Felling Guys are tree fellers based in Cosmo City, and we take trees down without wrecking your garden, your wall, or your roof on the way down. 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, that is our whole job. We handle the cut, the controlled 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.
What Does Tree Felling Actually Involve?
Tree felling is the controlled process of cutting 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 or use a platform, cut the tree in sections from the top down, and rope each piece so it is lowered gently rather than dropped. Once the tree is down, we cut it up, load it, and clear the site. If you want the stump gone too, we handle that with stump grinding and removal so nothing is left to regrow or trip over.
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 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 Care 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, and crown reduction to keep trees healthy and safe.
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 and overgrown ground for building or landscaping.
Alien and invasive tree removal
wattle, blue gum, and other invasives removed properly.
Tree planting and transplanting
planting new trees or relocating healthy ones.
Garden refuse and green waste removal
hauling away branches, cuttings, and rubble.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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, 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, and Midrand.
- 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.
- Our customers recommend us. Read a recent review 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
"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. In parts of South Africa, and for certain species, you do need permission to remove a tree, and some indigenous and protected trees may not be removed at all without authorisation.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Felling
How much does tree felling cost in Gauteng?
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It depends on the size, health, and access of the tree. Small trees are affordable and quick, larger or trickier ones cost more because of the rigging and time involved. See our tree felling prices page, 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, depending on your municipality and the species. Protected and indigenous trees can need authorisation before removal. Our permits 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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Certain protected and indigenous species are legally protected, so they cannot simply be removed. We explain which ones in our protected trees guide. 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, lifting paving or foundations, or growing into a wall, roof, or power line. 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. Sometimes a prune or a health treatment is all it needs.
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.