NZ Tree Smiths

Recent work

A few of the trees we've worked with.

Every job is different. Here are a handful that show how we approach a few of the more interesting ones.

Crown reduction project by NZ Tree Smiths — Liquidambar reduction on a heritage villa, Remuera
After — Liquidambar reduction on a heritage villa, Remuera
Before — Liquidambar reduction on a heritage villa, Remuera
Before
After
Remuera2024Crown reductionArborist report

Liquidambar reduction on a heritage villa

A mature liquidambar overhanging a 1920s villa had been topped years before, leaving heavy regrowth and a lopsided canopy. We wrote a short report for the owners, then spent two days reducing the crown back to natural growth points, balancing the form, and clearing deadwood. The tree kept its presence on the street while shedding the weight that had been worrying the insurers.

"They treated the tree like it mattered. So did we, by the end."
Related services:Crown reduction·Arborist report
Land clearing project by NZ Tree Smiths — Macrocarpa shelterbelt thinning, Karaka
After — Macrocarpa shelterbelt thinning, Karaka
Before — Macrocarpa shelterbelt thinning, Karaka
Before
After
Karaka2024Land clearingTree removal

Macrocarpa shelterbelt thinning

A 180-metre macrocarpa shelterbelt had grown into the neighbouring paddock and started shading the house. We removed every third tree, lifted the canopy on the rest, and mulched the lot back into the property as track surfacing. Three days on site, no waste off the gate, and the line still does its job in the prevailing westerly.

"Tidiest crew we've had on the place in years."
Related services:Land clearing·Tree removal
Hedge shaping project by NZ Tree Smiths — Formal totara hedge reshape, Mount Eden
After — Formal totara hedge reshape, Mount Eden
Before — Formal totara hedge reshape, Mount Eden
Before
After
Mount Eden2024Hedge shaping

Formal totara hedge reshape

A 2.4-metre totara hedge had drifted out of square after a few seasons of light trims. We re-cut the lines with string and laser, brought the top back into a true plane, and tightened the faces so the new growth would fill in evenly. The owner books us back twice a year — once in spring, once before Christmas.

"It looks like it grew that way. Which is the whole point."
Related services:Hedge shaping
Storm & emergency project by NZ Tree Smiths — Storm-damaged eucalyptus removal, Devonport
After — Storm-damaged eucalyptus removal, Devonport
Before — Storm-damaged eucalyptus removal, Devonport
Before
After
Devonport2024Storm & emergencyTree removal

Storm-damaged eucalyptus removal

A large eucalyptus split in a southerly and dropped a major limb across the driveway, narrowly missing the carport. We were on site within two hours, made the tree safe overnight, and came back with the full crew the next morning to dismantle it in sections. Cleared, mulched, and the driveway open by lunchtime.

"Calm, fast, and they explained everything as they went."
Related services:Storm & emergency·Tree removal
Crown reduction project by NZ Tree Smiths — Heritage pohutukawa crown care, St Heliers
After — Heritage pohutukawa crown care, St Heliers
Before — Heritage pohutukawa crown care, St Heliers
Before
After
St Heliers2023Crown reductionArborist report

Heritage pohutukawa crown care

A council-protected pohutukawa on a coastal section needed a light reduction to clear the new build's roofline without compromising its form. We worked to a written method statement, kept all cuts inside the natural canopy envelope, and lodged the post-works report with council. The tree flowered as usual the following December.

"Council signed it off without a single follow-up question."
Related services:Crown reduction·Arborist report
Commercial project by NZ Tree Smiths — Body corporate maintenance round, Parnell
After — Body corporate maintenance round, Parnell
Before — Body corporate maintenance round, Parnell
Before
After
Parnell2024CommercialHedge shaping

Body corporate maintenance round

An annual maintenance round across a 14-unit complex — clearance pruning off the gutters, a dozen hedges trimmed to the boundary, and two self-seeded privets removed from the back fence line. Scheduled across two days to keep noise inside agreed hours, all green waste off site by close of play.

"Same crew every year. They know the building better than we do."
Related services:Commercial·Hedge shaping
Crown reduction project by NZ Tree Smiths — Plane tree clearance for new build, Epsom
After — Plane tree clearance for new build, Epsom
Before — Plane tree clearance for new build, Epsom
Before
After
Epsom2024Crown reductionArborist report

Plane tree clearance for new build

Three street-side plane trees needed clearance pruning to allow scaffolding for a new build, with a full Root Protection Zone assessment for the build team. We worked to AS 4373, lifted the canopies to 4.5 metres over the footpath, and mapped the protected root zone for the contractor's site plan. Build went ahead without a single tree-related delay.

"Their report saved us a month of back-and-forth with council."
Related services:Crown reduction·Arborist report
Tree removal project by NZ Tree Smiths — Self-seeded privet and hawthorn removal, Orakei
After — Self-seeded privet and hawthorn removal, Orakei
Before — Self-seeded privet and hawthorn removal, Orakei
Before
After
Orakei2023Tree removalStump grinding

Self-seeded privet and hawthorn removal

A back boundary had been overrun by privet and hawthorn growing through an old post-and-wire fence. We cleared the lot, ground the stumps below ground level, and left the strip ready for the landscaper to plant a new griselinia hedge. One day on site, all material chipped and removed.

"Gave us our garden back. Should have done it years ago."
Related services:Tree removal·Stump grinding
Land clearing project by NZ Tree Smiths — Pre-subdivision vegetation clearance, Drury
After — Pre-subdivision vegetation clearance, Drury
Before — Pre-subdivision vegetation clearance, Drury
Before
After
Drury2024Land clearingArborist report

Pre-subdivision vegetation clearance

A 1.4-hectare block being prepared for subdivision needed a vegetation assessment, removal of around forty wilding pines, and retention of three notable specimen trees identified in the report. We staged the work over a week, mulched everything on site, and handed back a clean block ready for civils.

"Straight quote, straight invoice, and they protected the trees we wanted kept."
Related services:Land clearing·Arborist report
Arborist report project by NZ Tree Smiths — Insurance assessment after wind damage, Papakura
After — Insurance assessment after wind damage, Papakura
Before — Insurance assessment after wind damage, Papakura
Before
After
Papakura2024Arborist reportStorm & emergency

Insurance assessment after wind damage

After a winter storm, an insurer needed an independent assessment of three damaged trees on a residential property — cause, structural condition, and recommended remediation. We inspected, photographed, wrote the report inside 48 hours, and carried out the agreed works the following week. Claim settled without dispute.

"The report did exactly what it needed to. No drama."
Related services:Arborist report·Storm & emergency