Before you hire a tree service company, there are a few things you need to know:

• Local council regulates trees on private land. You could face heavy fines if you carry out tree work without permission.
• Cutting down a protected tree on your property could land you with a fine of up to $1.1m from The Land and Environmental Court of New South Wales.
  
• Some LGA’s offer rewards of up to $10,000 for reporting tree vandalism. Here’s a quote from Northern Beaches Council:

Reward for Identifying Public Tree Vandals

If we identify tree vandalism like poisoning, pruning, cutting, ringbarking or removal, we’ll pursue the offender. We may offer a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the successful prosecution of the offender under our Tree Preservation Order. Council will erect signs and or banners stating that trees have been poisoned at the location of vandalism. 

https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/planning-and-development/tree-management/illegal-tree-works

• Your Local Government Area (LGA) defines what is and is not a protected tree. This includes trees of specific size, species and other characteristics.
  
• Each LGA has their own regulations. One LGA might give a long list of exemptions, while others don’t have any.
  
• Most councils grant a tree permit on the condition that work be carried out by an AQF qualified arborist. And that work complies with Australian Standards AS 4373—2007 Pruning of amenity trees. Failure to meet these conditions might invalidate the permit.
  
• The tree service industry is largely unregulated. Some businesses advertise arborist services, yet do not have AQF qualified Arborists working for them.
  
• If only one site worker is unqualified, this could invalidate the insurance cover.
  
• Tree work is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous industries. Without a valid tree permit, or permit exemption, any insurance claim may be invalid.
  

Like all industries, tree service companies look to cut costs and increase profits. There are legitimate ways to do this, but employing unqualified workers, or taking unnecessary risks is not one of them.

Tree work is one of the most dangerous industries. Hiring a professional tree service company will help you reduce the risk.

If an accident does occur, you want to feel confident that you are protected from financial liability.

When hiring a company, choose one you can trust. Confirm that you are adequately insured, and that work is carried out safely and according to local regulations.