Chris Hackett Tree Services

Chris Hackett Tree Services has been cutting trees around Ballina since 1985. That is close to four decades in the one region, and Chris Hackett is born and bred here. The business is family owned and still small enough that the name on the truck belongs to the bloke who comes out and looks at the tree.

Chris spent 34 years with NSW Fire and Rescue alongside running the tree business, which is a useful grounding for a trade where most of the risk is in what goes wrong. He holds a Certificate III in Arboriculture, is OH&S accredited and chainsaw qualified, and the business is fully insured, working within Australian occupational health and safety protocols.

Tree removal is the core service, and the method is to dismantle a tree section by section using ropes and rigging rather than fell it whole, which is what keeps a large removal from becoming a problem for the fence, the shed or the neighbours. Storm damaged eucalypts, trees in decline and limbs hanging over structures are the usual callers. Stump grinding takes care of what is left in the ground afterwards.

Pruning and maintenance covers the trees that are staying, including taking out deadwood before it comes down by itself. Mulching and chipping is done on site with a 12 inch chipper, so branches and debris either leave as mulch or go entirely, whichever suits the owner, and the property is left clean. Council rules can apply to removals in this region and the site is upfront that permit requirements are worth checking before work starts.

The gear is name brand and looked after: Bandit chippers, STIHL and Husqvarna saws, and Hino and Hilux trucks. Quotes are free, done on site, and given without obligation. Work is taken on both residential and commercial properties.

Emergency 24 hour service is available on top of normal hours, which along this coast usually means something has come down across a driveway or onto a roof overnight. Regular hours are Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm, with weekends by appointment and public holidays closed. The service area runs across Ballina, Lennox Head, Alstonville, Evans Head, Bangalow, Byron Bay and Lismore. Phone 0419 442 920 or email [email protected].