Gosnells, Thornlie and Maddington in brief
Gosnells is one of the older established suburbs of Perth's south-east, set along the Canning River where Albany Highway runs between the plain and the foot of the hills. With Thornlie and Maddington beside it, it makes up a big, mature stretch of suburbia: brick-and-tile homes from the 1960s to the 1990s, many on larger blocks than you see in newer estates, and a lot of trees that have had decades to grow.
That age is what defines tree work here. Many jobs involve trees that were planted as small shade trees or street features and have grown into something far bigger than anyone planned.
The trees that come up most
- Cape lilac. Widely planted for summer shade. It grows fast, drops berries and leaves, and old ones can become brittle.
- Queensland box and lemon-scented gum. Both get very large on suburban blocks, and gums can drop limbs without warning in hot weather.
- Liquidambar and jacaranda. Deciduous favourites with surface roots that lift paths and paving.
- Flooded gum, marri and paperbark. Natives along the river and creek lines, sometimes inside back fences.
- Date and fan palms. Tall palms in front yards along older streets, often near the power lines.
The ground
Near the Canning and Southern rivers, soils are sandy loam and alluvium, with a water table that can sit close to the surface in winter. Trees grow large and quickly where they find water, but wide, shallow roots and wet winter ground can let a big tree loosen at the base. Further east toward the hills, gravelly soils take over.
For stump work, the sand and loam is generally forgiving. The usual surprise is old builders' rubble or a forgotten path buried around a tree's base, which a grinder needs to know about before it starts.
Common jobs in Gosnells
- Removing large established trees that have outgrown the block or are too close to the house
- Cutting back limbs over roofs, gutters and neighbouring yards
- Stump grinding where old trees were removed years ago and the stumps left behind
- Palm cleaning and removal on tall fan and date palms
- Clearing for extensions, granny flats and pools on the bigger blocks
- Bamboo removal where an old screen has spread along the fence
Council and approvals
Gosnells, Thornlie, Maddington and Southern River are in the City of Gosnells. Part of Canning Vale is in the City of Gosnells and part in the City of Canning. Street trees on the verge belong to the City, so report problems with them rather than having them cut privately. If you think a tree on your land might be covered by a planning condition or heritage listing, ask the City before work starts.
Neighbours and boundaries
On older streets, big trees often sit right on the boundary or hang well into the next yard. If the trunk straddles the fence, the tree belongs to both of you. Agree the work with your neighbour before booking, and put any cost-sharing in writing. The FAQ page covers overhanging branches in more detail.
Getting a quote in Gosnells
Call (08) 7666 1429, seven days from 6am to 8pm, or use the form below. Tell us the suburb and street, the type of tree if you know it, how tall it is against the house, and how a truck could get close. A photo of the tree and the side access is a big help.
For planning prices, see the cost guide. The palm tree removal page covers the tall palms common on older Gosnells streets.