Looking for the best tree trimming in Gisborne? The arborists below prune, thin and shape trees across Gisborne and Tairāwhiti, from backyard fruit trees and boundary hedges to large street trees growing into power lines. For tree trimming in Gisborne, Roberts Tree Surgeons in Awapuni and ArborCare Tree Company on Stanley Road both run qualified crews for homes, farms and councils.
1Roberts Tree Surgeons
Roberts Tree Surgeons is a Gisborne arboriculture company launched in 2003 by managing director Paul Roberts, working from a base on Innes Street in Awapuni. The team handles pruning and crown reduction through to dismantling large trees, and works for residential homeowners as well as council and school clients.
Services
- Tree pruning and crown reduction
- Dismantling of large trees
- Hedge trimming
- Stump grinding
- Branch chipping and site clearance
Highlights
- Operating since 2003, started as a one-man family business
- Recognised at the Westpac Business Awards, 2013
- Preferred contractor for Gisborne District Council parks, reserves and street tree maintenance
- Approved contractor with Eastland Network for emergency and powerline work
Location & Contact
Name: Roberts Tree Surgeons
Address: 99 Innes Street, Awapuni, Gisborne 4010
Phone: 06 868 6463
Website: robertstreesurgeons.co.nz
2ArborCare Tree Company
ArborCare Tree Company has cared for trees across the Gisborne Tairāwhiti and Wairoa districts for over 25 years, starting as a local family-owned business. Its residential team covers tree pruning, hedge trimming, crown reduction and lifting, and the company also takes on commercial, farm and infrastructure work.
Services
- Tree and hedge pruning, including crown reduction and lift
- Powerline clearance
- Storm damage work, including insurance claims
- Stump grinding and chipping for garden mulch
Highlights
- Over 25 years of tree care in Gisborne Tairāwhiti and Wairoa
- Accredited to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018
- Firstlight Network approved to work around power lines
- All tree surgeons hold industry-recognised arborist qualifications
- $10 million insurance cover
Location & Contact
Name: ArborCare Tree Company
Address: Stanley Road, Gisborne 4010
Phone: 06 862 5785
Website: actco.co.nz
3Advanced Tree Solutions (ATS Group)
Advanced Tree Solutions is a Makaraka-based arborist team that grew out of storm damage response work in 2016 and now also runs electrical and civil construction divisions. Its tree division prunes for safety, appearance and orchard maintenance, and covers Gisborne city and district along with the East Coast.
Services
- Crown lifting, thinning, reduction and cleaning
- Large tree pruning and deadwood removal
- Fruit tree and orchard pruning
- Hedge trimming
- Stump grinding, mulching and chipping
Highlights
- Established in 2016 with a focus on tree work near power lines
- Approved contractor for work near power lines
- More than 20 skilled and qualified personnel, including a Level 4 tree faller
- Dedicated phone line and email for tree enquiries
Location & Contact
Name: Advanced Tree Solutions (ATS Group)
Address: 74 Main Road, Makaraka, Gisborne 4010
Phone: 027 395 9153
Website: ats.kiwi.nz
4Draffan Tree Services
Draffan Tree Services is a Gisborne arborist business led by an NZQA trade-qualified arborist, working for residential clients through to rural and commercial projects across Tairāwhiti. It combines climbing and rigging for tree pruning with remote-controlled mulching for steep land clearance.
Services
- Crown thinning, reduction, lifting and deadwooding
- Boundary hedge trimming
- Tree removal and directional felling
- 24/7 emergency storm call-outs
Highlights
- Headed by an NZQA trade-qualified arborist
- Tōtika Health and Safety certified with public liability insurance
- Remote-controlled mulcher for slopes up to 61 degrees
Location & Contact
Name: Draffan Tree Services
Address: 326E Matokitoki Valley Road, RD 1, Gisborne 4071
Phone: 022 564 5944
Website: draffantreeservices.co.nz
5J. E. Perez Limited
J. E. Perez Limited is an independent, certified arborist business run by Enrique Perez in Gisborne. It focuses on tree pruning and maintenance that supports long-term tree health, alongside removals and storm clean-up for properties throughout the Gisborne region.
Services
- Tree pruning and maintenance
- Tree removal
- Storm damage clean-up
- Tree planting and advice
Highlights
- Independent, locally based certified arborist
- Comprehensive insurance and Health and Safety pre-qualification
- Free quotes across the Gisborne region
Location & Contact
Name: J. E. Perez Limited
Address: Gisborne
Phone: 021 0872 1410
Website: perez-arb.co.nz
Tree Trimming in Gisborne at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Roberts Tree Surgeons | Operating since 2003, started as a one-man family business |
| ArborCare Tree Company | Over 25 years of tree care in Gisborne Tairāwhiti and Wairoa |
| Advanced Tree Solutions (ATS Group) | Established in 2016 with a focus on tree work near power lines |
| Draffan Tree Services | Headed by an NZQA trade-qualified arborist |
| J. E. Perez Limited | Independent, locally based certified arborist |
How to Choose the Right Tree Trimming in Gisborne
- Check the arborist holds a recognised arboriculture qualification and carries public liability insurance.
- For trees near power lines, use a contractor approved by the local lines company; untrained work near lines is illegal and dangerous.
- Ask what type of pruning they recommend (crown lifting, thinning or reduction) and why, rather than a blanket cut back.
- Confirm whether green waste is removed, chipped for mulch or left as firewood, and whether that is in the quote.
- Look for experience with your job type, whether a fruit tree, a boundary hedge, a large specimen tree or a steep lifestyle block.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gisborne Tree Trimming
How much does tree trimming cost in Gisborne?
Prices depend on the tree’s size, access, proximity to buildings or power lines, and whether debris is taken away. Most Gisborne arborists offer free on-site quotes, so it is worth getting two before booking.
What is the difference between tree trimming and tree pruning?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Pruning usually refers to selective cuts for tree health and structure, such as deadwooding or crown thinning, while trimming often describes shaping hedges or cutting back overgrowth for appearance and clearance.
Who is responsible for trimming trees near power lines?
In New Zealand the tree owner is responsible for keeping trees clear of power lines, and only approved, trained contractors may work close to lines. The rules are set out in the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003.
When is the best time to prune trees in Gisborne?
It depends on the species. Deciduous and fruit trees are often pruned while dormant, while evergreens and hedges can be trimmed through much of the year. An arborist can advise on timing for your particular trees.
How do I check an arborist is qualified?
Ask about their arboriculture qualifications and insurance before work starts. The New Zealand Arboricultural Association is the industry body and publishes guidance on arboriculture standards and training.
Can I find an arborist near me in Gisborne?
Tree care businesses in the region are based in Awapuni, Makaraka and on Stanley Road, with some operating from rural addresses such as Matokitoki Valley. Most travel across Gisborne city and the wider Tairāwhiti district, so location rarely limits who you can book.
Do arborists handle emergency storm damage?
Many Gisborne arborists offer storm response for fallen trees and hanging branches, and some can work with your insurer on claims. Keep clear of any tree touching a power line and call the lines company first.
Can I trim my own trees?
Light trimming of branches reachable from the ground is usually fine with the right safety gear. Climbing, ladder work, large limbs and anything near power lines should be left to a qualified arborist.
How We Chose the Best Tree Trimming in Gisborne
Every business in this guide was found by searching for tree trimming in Gisborne, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Gisborne, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.