The 5 Hardest Trees to Remove in Brisbane

Some trees take significantly longer and cost more to remove than their size suggests. These are the ones arborists find most challenging.

1. Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla)

The buttress root system can extend 10–20m from the trunk. The canopy is enormous and heavy. The wood is dense. A large Moreton Bay fig is typically a multi-day job with a large crew. They're also frequently protected — permit applications are common.

2. Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus)

Very dense hardwood, difficult to chip, and the canopy can be extremely thick. Large brush box trees in tight suburban blocks require slow, methodical sectional dismantling. The timber is also one of the best quality hardwoods in Queensland.

3. Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys)

Heavy, strong timber with an unpredictable grain. Very resistant to decay, which means standing dead tallowwoods stay standing for a long time while becoming internally unpredictable. Removal requires extra caution.

4. Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora)

Large camphor laurels have wide, spreading canopies and dense wood. They're also declared pests — which means removal is encouraged but the stump requires chemical treatment to prevent resprouting. Stump suckering can persist for two to three seasons without treatment.

5. Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera or canariensis)

The combination of extremely heavy fronds with sharp spines and a fibrous trunk makes date palm removal slow and physically demanding. The spines are a serious hazard. Large date palms are among the highest per-tree cost in the palm category.