Completed Project
Poplar With Driveway-Wrecking Roots Removed From a Henderson Home
An 18-metre poplar whose roots had buckled a Henderson driveway and were heading for the drains — taken down in sections on a small front section, with the stump and surface roots ground out.
At a Glance
Project Overview
- Service
- Tree removal (roots damaging the driveway and drains)
- Location
- Home, Henderson, West Auckland
- Tree
- Large poplar, about 18 metres tall
- Crew
- Three — one climber, two on the ground
- Time on site
- One day
- Equipment used
- Climbing harness, ropes and lowering device, chainsaws, wood chipper, stump grinder
The Background
What We Were Called To
The situation
A homeowner in Henderson called us about a big poplar in their front yard. Over the years its roots had lifted and cracked the concrete driveway, and a plumber had told them the roots were starting to get into the drains. The tree had also outgrown the small front section. They wanted it removed before the damage got any worse.
The problem
The poplar was about 18 metres tall with a wide, heavy crown hanging over the driveway, the footpath and the neighbour’s fence. Poplars have fast, spreading roots, and this one had already buckled the concrete and was heading for the drains. On a small front section with the road on one side and the house on the other, there was no room to fell it in one go.
What we decided
Our Level 4 arborist checked the tree and the site. Because of its size, the crown hanging over the driveway and footpath, and how little space there was, we could not drop it whole. The safe way was to climb it and take it down in sections, lowering each piece on ropes so nothing landed on the driveway, the fence or the road.
The Difference
Before & After
How It Ran
The Work, Step by Step
-
1
Assessment
Our Level 4 arborist looked at the tree, the cracked driveway and how little room the front section left us.
-
2
Method chosen
With the road on one side and the house on the other, the poplar had to come down in sections rather than whole.
-
3
Crown reduced first
The climber worked top down, cutting the crown back branch by branch off the driveway and footpath.
-
4
Roped to the lawn
The ground team lowered every piece into a small cleared area on the lawn, chipping as they went.
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5
Trunk removed
The trunk came down in short sections, then was cut up and cleared away.
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6
Stump and roots ground
The stump and the main surface roots were ground flush so they could not keep lifting the concrete.
On The Day
Method and Safety
How we did it
Three of us did the job in one day. Our climber worked from the top down, cutting the crown back branch by branch, while the two on the ground roped each piece down into a small cleared area on the lawn. We used chainsaws for the cuts and chipped the branches as we went. The trunk came down in short sections, then we cut it up and cleared it away.
The Outcome
The Result
The poplar was gone by the end of the day, with no damage to the driveway, the footpath, the fence or the road. We ground the stump and the main surface roots down flush so they could not keep lifting the concrete, and cleared the whole site. The owner can now repair the driveway knowing the tree will not push it up again.
Homes and businesses
This was a home job, but we work the same way everywhere — schools, offices, body corporates and public spaces across Auckland. Same planning, same safety steps, same careful work.
Questions
About This Job
Yes, provided the surface roots come out too. We ground the stump and the main surface roots flush, so there is nothing left to keep pushing the concrete up. The driveway can now be repaired properly.
They can. Poplars have fast, wide-spreading roots that follow moisture, and older clay or jointed drains are an easy target. A plumber had already flagged it here, which is what prompted the call.
By climbing rather than felling. The crown comes back branch by branch and every piece is roped down into whatever cleared space there is — in this case a small patch of lawn. It takes longer, and the quote says so upfront.
Services used on this job
Free, No Obligation
Got a tree causing damage?
If a tree on your West Auckland property is lifting your driveway, getting into drains or simply too big for the space, book a free on-site check with A One A Tree Care.
- Free on-site assessment
- Fixed written price, no hidden extras
- Fully insured, full clean-up included
- Council consent status checked first
Book your free assessment
Get My Free Quoteor
Talk to an arborist 021 102 0360We answer 24/7. Hazardous trees attended same day.
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