2nd Generation Trees
Craig walked away from a paying job rather than recommend work a customer's tree didn't need.
That kind of restraint is rare in trade services and appears often enough across the sample to be a genuine characteristic, not a one-off. The team's experience with regulated and significant trees (river red gums, large palms, mature elms) in residential Adelaide hills settings is well-documented across the reviews, and Kristy's involvement in quoting and development applications suggests they're equipped for jobs that require council paperwork, not just a chainsaw. If your job involves a protected or regulated tree, it's worth confirming upfront that they can handle the specific permit process for your council area — but the review record suggests this is something they've navigated before.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (63 total)
“I think the quote was very reasonable”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 312 tree servicess in Adelaide
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About 2nd Generation Trees
Craig leads this family-run arborist team with close to two decades of hands-on experience, and what sets him apart from a standard tree lopper is his willingness to talk himself out of a job — multiple customers report that he inspected their trees, declared them healthy, and walked away without charging. Kristy handles quoting and client communication on the admin side, making the process smooth from first contact through to invoicing, including assistance with development applications for regulated trees. The crew — Hayden, Kirk, and Kane appear by name in reviews — are praised specifically for their care around neighbouring properties and existing garden beds, not just speed. The team regularly works on significant and regulated trees, particularly river red gums, date palms, cocos palms, golden elms, and cypress pines, including specimens over 50 years old in tight residential backyards where the margin for error is small. They handle the full scope: pruning, full removal, stump grinding, and mulching, and consistently leave sites clean enough that several customers describe it as though the tree was never there. For homeowners with protected trees or complex removal jobs requiring council approval, Craig's team can manage the development application process directly.
Best for: removal or pruning of large, regulated, or protected trees in residential Adelaide hills properties, jobs requiring council development applications, homeowners wanting an honest tree health assessment before committing to work, and complex removals in tight backyards near structures.
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about 2nd Generation Trees
Does 2nd Generation Trees handle regulated or council-protected trees?+
Yes — multiple customers specifically mention engaging Craig's team for significant and regulated river red gums and other protected species. Kristy is noted in reviews as handling the development application process, which means they can support you through council paperwork, not just the physical work. If your tree is on a council regulated list, confirm your specific council area with them at the quote stage. This appears to be a regular part of their workload, not an occasional edge case.
What do customers say about 2nd Generation Trees' pricing?+
Pricing comes up frequently across the 50 reviews we analysed, with consistent feedback that quotes are competitive and match what's charged on the day. Several customers with large or complex jobs — including removal of multiple cocos palms and significant gum trees — specifically described the pricing as reasonable or cost-effective. Craig provides a written quote after a site visit, and at least one reviewer noted the breakdown was explained in detail. No reviews in the sample flagged pricing surprises or disputes.
Who actually does the work on the day, and are they experienced?+
Craig typically attends the quote and often the job itself. The crew includes team members Hayden, Kirk, and Kane, all mentioned by name in reviews and praised for their skill and professionalism. Customers who've had large or technically difficult removals — including a 75-year-old split-trunk cypress pine and a 50-year-old red gum near a pergola — specifically note the crew clearly knew what they were doing. The business describes itself as a family-run operation, and the reviews reflect that the same people show up reliably across jobs.
Does 2nd Generation Trees clean up after the job?+
Site cleanup is one of the most consistently mentioned positives across the 50 reviews we looked at. Customers describe everything from wood and foliage removal to stump grinding leaving the area bare. One reviewer said the site looked as though a tree had never existed. The team appears to include cleanup as standard, not an add-on — but if you want to keep mulch or timber, it's worth mentioning at the quote stage as some customers have noted they kept material by arrangement.
Is Craig available to inspect a tree even if I'm not sure work is needed?+
Based on reviews, yes — and Craig is notable for giving honest assessments even when the answer is 'do nothing.' At least one customer reports Craig visited, assessed their tree as healthy, recommended no work, and left without charging for the inspection. That said, confirm the inspection process directly with them since it may depend on location and workload. If you're uncertain whether a tree needs attention or poses a risk, the review record suggests Craig will give you a straight answer rather than upsell unnecessary work.