Servicing Port Stephens, Maitland, Great Lakes & the Hunter Valley24/7 emergency call-out
Tree removal & pruning · Port Stephens

Dangerous trees down safely. Yard left clean.

Brett Hockey is a qualified, fully insured arborist with almost 30 years climbing and removing big gums across Port Stephens and the Hunter. You deal with him from quote to clean-up, not a call centre.

AQF Level 3 arborist$20M public liability24/7 emergency
Brett Hockey climbing high in the canopy of a large gum tree, roped in with climbing gearBrett, on a recent climb
~30years in the trees around Port Stephens
AQF 3qualified arborist, not just a lopper
$20Mpublic liability insurance on every job
24/7emergency call-out from Salt Ash
Storm damage · 24/7

Tree down, or about to go? Call now, day or night.

Keep everyone clear of the tree and anything it's touching, then call. Brett makes the site safe first and cleans up after.

Power lines involved? Stay well back and call Ausgrid on 13 13 88 first.

Emergency line, answered 24/70410 332 037Call nowFallen trees, split limbs, storm-damaged gums over houses, cars and driveways.
Brett working in the fork of a tall smooth-barked gum, high above the ground on ropes
Brett, working the top of a tall gum.
Owner-operated

You deal with Brett, start to finish

Arbor Culture is Brett Hockey's business. He quotes the job, climbs the tree, and checks the yard is clean before he leaves. Almost 30 years working on local gums means he knows how to bring them down without touching your roof.

Rigged down, not dropped

Big limbs are cut in sections and lowered on ropes, clear of houses, sheds, fences and lines.

Qualified and fully insured

AQF Level 3 arborist with $20 million public liability. Certificate of currency sent before the job if you need it.

Nothing wasted

Keep the timber as slabs, take the firewood, or have the green waste chipped and taken away. Your call.

Tree to timber

Your old tree could be your next table

Most arborists chip everything. With a portable sawmill and firewood processor on hand, we can turn a removal into something you keep.

  1. Chainsaws laid in front of large hardwood logs cut to length1 · Felled

    Cut to length on site

    Sound trunk sections are kept aside instead of chipped.

  2. Stacked rough-sawn slabs2 · Milled

    Slabs, benchtops, beams

    Milled with the portable sawmill, ready to dry and build with.

  3. Worker feeding logs into a firewood processor next to stacked split wood3 · Split

    The rest becomes firewood

    Offcuts split and stacked, ready for your fireplace.

How it works

Three steps, one fixed price

  1. 1

    Send a photo or call

    Use the quote form or call 0410 332 037. A photo of the tree helps Brett quote faster.

  2. 2

    Free on-site quote

    Brett looks at the tree, the access and what's underneath, then gives you a fixed price.

  3. 3

    Job done, yard cleaned

    Tree removed, stump ground if you want it gone, and the area raked before we leave.

Get your free quoteQuotes are free and there is no obligation.
What locals say

Big trees. No damage. Clean yards.

Real reviews from Brett's Google Business Profile. Read all reviews on Google

Very impressed with Brett and his team. Removed three large gum trees and trimmed another. The one over the top of my house was professionally removed without fuss or damage. Well priced, punctual, safe work practices, polite and left areas clean and tidy.
★★★★★ Peter B.Google review
Brett and his team were so professional when they trimmed my tree … Very easy to deal with and got the job done with no trace left behind … Couldn't be happier.
★★★★★ Antonio B.Google review
Went above and beyond and fixed/cleaned up some things that were outside of scope. Competitive pricing and easy to organise, recommend.
★★★★★ Nic K.Google review
Before you book

Straight answers

Does the tree lopper I hire need to have insurance?

The tree lopping industry is very dangerous and should only be undertaken by a professional. Arborists must have public liability insurance. It protects homeowners and business owners from potential risk and damage. We are fully insured up to $20 million in the unlikely case of an incident.

Why do my trees need to be pruned?

There are at least four main reasons why your trees need to be pruned regularly: • It removes dead branches which can pose risks to the general public or your family if they fall. • Branches may grow to overhang roofs, powerlines, or boundary fences. • Preserves the natural shape and beauty of the tree so it doesn't grow out of control. • Protects tree health when diseased or damaged limbs are removed early.

Will I need council permission to remove trees?

It depends on the tree species, size, and property zoning. We will check with your local council (Port Stephens, Maitland, etc.) and assist you in going through the right permit avenues.

I have a huge tree that needs removal, are you able to take on the job?

Our team enjoys a challenge. Brett is AQF Level 3 qualified and certified for working at heights with advanced climbing and rigging gear. No tree is too big or complex.

In an emergency, how soon can you be at my property?

Our vehicles are fully equipped and ready for 24/7 emergency dispatch. During severe storm conditions, we'll be at your site as soon as it's safe to travel. You don't need to be home as long as we have clear access and instructions.

Get a free quote

Tell us about the tree. Brett will call you back to book a time to look at it.

We’ll use your details and photos to prepare your quote and contact you about it. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms.

No obligation. Your details only go to Brett.

Qualified and insured. AQF Level 3 arborist, $20M public liability, almost 30 years on local trees.

Arbor Culture Tree Services is an owner-operated arboriculture business that provides tree removal, crown pruning, stump grinding, timber milling, and emergency storm response for residential, commercial, and strata clients across Port Stephens, Maitland, Great Lakes, and the Hunter Valley in NSW. Every job is personally handled by Brett Hockey, an AQF Level 3 qualified arborist with over 15 years of hands-on experience, carrying $20 million public liability insurance and available for 24/7 emergency call-out from Salt Ash NSW 2318.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arbor Culture Tree Services fully insured?

Yes. Arbor Culture Tree Services carries $20 million public liability insurance on every job. This protects homeowners, commercial clients, and strata managers from any liability in the unlikely event of an incident during tree removal, pruning, or stump grinding work on their property.

Who actually turns up to do the work?

Brett Hockey, the owner and AQF Level 3 qualified arborist, personally handles every job from the initial on-site quote through to final clean-up. There are no subcontractors or call-centre staff involved. You deal directly with the same qualified arborist from first contact to completion.

What areas does Arbor Culture Tree Services cover?

The business services Port Stephens, Maitland, Great Lakes, and the broader Hunter Valley. Specific suburbs include Salt Ash, Medowie, Williamtown, Raymond Terrace, Nelson Bay, Anna Bay, Lemon Tree Passage, Karuah, and surrounding districts. Emergency call-out is available 24/7 across the same service area.

Does Arbor Culture handle emergency storm damage call-outs?

Yes. Arbor Culture Tree Services provides 24/7 emergency call-out for storm-damaged trees across Port Stephens and the Hunter region. Brett Hockey responds directly, assesses the hazard on site, and makes the tree safe. There is no call centre or third-party dispatch involved in the emergency response process.

How does Arbor Culture price its work?

All quotes are free, fixed-price, and given in person after an on-site assessment. There are no estimates over the phone without seeing the tree. The fixed-price model means the quoted amount is what you pay, with no surprises added after the job is complete.

Can Arbor Culture remove just one branch, or does it only do full tree removals?

Arbor Culture handles jobs of any scale, from a single overhanging branch to full hazardous tree removal and land clearing. Every enquiry receives a genuine response and an on-site assessment, regardless of the size or complexity of the work involved.

Authority Sources

Relevant regulatory and safety references for tree services in NSW: Safe Work Australia - Arboriculture; NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act and Tree Preservation Orders (NSW Legislation); Ausgrid - Tree Trimming Near Power Lines; Port Stephens Council - Trees and Vegetation.