Gordonvale to Port Douglas
Cyclone and storm damaged trees in Cairns
After a cyclone or a wet season storm, the first job is always whatever is still hanging.
Storm damage
In this order
Still hanging
Limbs caught in the canopy come down first, before anyone works underneath them.
Torn or cracked
A split fork or a cracked trunk is made safe next, by taking weight off it or taking it down.
On the ground
Then the timber on the lawn, the roof or the fence is cut into lengths and cleared.
How it works
From the first message to a written quote
The council question is settled before any price, and nothing is booked until you have said yes to a quote in writing.
- 1
Tell us what the tree is doing
Where it stands, what it hangs over and what you would like done about it.

- 2
A contractor comes to see it
A tree contractor who covers your suburb looks at the tree, the access and what is underneath it.

- 3
The council question is answered
Whether it is pruning council lets you do, or a removal that needs approval, is settled before the price.

- 4
You get it in writing
Scope, timber, stump and date on one page, and nothing is booked until you have said yes.

Storm questions
Cyclones, floods and approval
Does a dangerous tree need approval to remove?
Usually, yes. Council says approval is required unless removal is needed to reduce an imminent risk of serious personal injury or damage, as determined by a suitably qualified person.
How big have the recent cyclones been?
Tropical Cyclone Jasper crossed the north queensland coast near the community of Wujal Wujal in December 2023, and after it some places had 5-day rainfall totals above 1500 mm. In the flood that followed the Barron River peaked at 4.4m.
Was Yasi worse?
Different. Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed near Mission Beach, 138km s of Cairns, in February 2011 as a category 5 system, so its worst wind was south of the city.

