Your local arborist
Bilgola Plateau — generous blocks, strong native canopy and a bush edge that matters
Bilgola Plateau sits on the elevated plateau above Bilgola Beach, a distinct suburban character from the valley below. The blocks here are large by Northern Beaches standards, and many have significant native trees — Angophoras, Banksias and Eucalypts that have been growing on these properties since before the houses were built around them. It is a suburb that takes its canopy seriously, and Northern Beaches Council's permit processes reflect that. When you call The Living Canopy, you reach Alex Price directly — the qualified arborist who will come out, assess the situation honestly and carry out the work.
The plateau terrain is generally flatter than the valley below, which makes access easier on most blocks. What the larger blocks bring is a different set of challenges: trees that have been allowed to grow to full size over many decades, sometimes with very little management, can develop structural issues that aren't obvious from the ground. Extended branches over long spans, co-dominant stems that haven't been managed through the formative years, and root systems that have grown into building foundations or retaining walls are all things we encounter regularly in Bilgola Plateau. A tree that has looked fine for twenty years can change status quickly once it reaches a certain size or encounters drought, disease or structural stress.
One thing that makes Bilgola Plateau distinct is its edge — the suburb drops away sharply in several directions, and properties on the periphery can have trees growing at or near slope breaks, sometimes with limited root zone support on the downslope side. These situations require proper assessment rather than assumptions. We look at rooting conditions, the lean direction relative to the slope, and the weight distribution of the crown before reaching any conclusions about risk level or management options.
For properties with garden hedges, large Photinia, Murraya or native screen plantings, we provide regular trimming services across the plateau. Many of the established gardens here have hedges and screens that have been growing for years and need periodic maintenance to stay tidy and healthy. We carry out this work with the same attention to quality as we bring to tree removal or pruning — clean equipment, proper techniques and a tidy finish.
