Price Guide

How Much Does a Tree Surgeon Really Cost?

Compare prices for 12 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

12 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Tree Surgeon Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Tree Removal (Small)

Low

£150

Average

£300

High

£550

2-4 hours

More details

Felling and removing a small tree up to 25 feet (8 metres) tall. Includes sectional dismantling if needed, clearing branches and removing all waste from site. Stump removal not included.

~95% labour, ~5% materials

What affects the price

  • Tree species and trunk diameter
  • Proximity to buildings, fences or power lines
  • Access to the tree for machinery
  • Whether the tree is protected by a TPO or in a conservation area

Tree Removal (Medium)

Low

£400

Average

£700

High

£1,200

Half day to 1 day

More details

Felling and removing a medium tree between 25-50 feet (8-15 metres) tall. Includes sectional dismantling, rigging branches down safely and removing all waste from site.

~96% labour, ~4% materials

What affects the price

  • Tree height, spread and trunk diameter
  • Whether sectional felling or straight fell is possible
  • Access for vehicles and wood chippers
  • Proximity to structures and overhead services

Tree Removal (Large)

Low

£900

Average

£1,500

High

£3,000

1-2 days

More details

Felling and removing a large tree over 50 feet (15 metres) tall. Requires specialist climbing, rigging and lowering of heavy limbs. Includes waste removal and site clearance.

~97% labour, ~3% materials

What affects the price

  • Tree height, spread and species
  • Complexity of dismantling (rigging, crane required)
  • Access constraints and proximity to buildings
  • Whether a road closure or traffic management is needed

Tree Stump Removal/Grinding

Low

£80

Average

£200

High

£500

1-3 hours

More details

Grinding out a tree stump using a specialist stump grinder. Grinds the stump to 6-12 inches below ground level. Includes backfilling the hole with grindings. Price per stump.

~95% labour, ~5% materials

What affects the price

  • Stump diameter and depth of roots
  • Tree species (hardwoods take longer to grind)
  • Access for stump grinding machinery
  • Number of stumps (discounts for multiple)

Tree Pruning/Crown Reduction

Low

£300

Average

£600

High

£1,200

Half day to 1 day

More details

Reducing the overall size and shape of a tree canopy by up to 30%. Includes climbing, pruning to correct branch points, clearing and removing all waste. Price per tree.

~98% labour, ~2% materials

What affects the price

  • Tree size, species and current condition
  • Percentage of crown reduction required
  • Access for climbing and waste removal
  • Whether the tree is protected by a TPO

Hedge Trimming (Per Metre)

Low

£3

Average

£6

High

£12

Varies by length

More details

Trimming a hedge to shape using powered hedge trimmers. Price is per linear metre and includes clearing and removing clippings. Most jobs have a minimum charge of around £80-£100.

What affects the price

  • Hedge height and depth
  • Hedge species (privet, leylandii, beech, laurel)
  • Whether all sides need trimming or just the top and one face
  • Access requirements (ladders, scaffolding for tall hedges)

Hedge Removal

Low

£200

Average

£500

High

£1,000

Half day to 1 day

More details

Complete removal of a hedge including cutting down, digging out root balls and removing all green waste. Price based on approximately 10 metres of medium-sized hedge.

~97% labour, ~3% materials

What affects the price

  • Length and height of the hedge
  • Hedge species (some have deeper root systems)
  • Whether roots need to be ground out
  • Access for machinery and waste removal

Tree Planting

Low

£75

Average

£175

High

£400

1-2 hours

More details

Supplying and planting a new tree including digging the pit, adding compost and mulch, staking and initial watering. Price per tree for a standard 1.5-3m specimen.

~34% labour, ~66% materials

What affects the price

  • Tree species and size at planting
  • Ground conditions and digging difficulty
  • Whether staking and tree guards are needed
  • Delivery and access to planting location

Emergency Storm Damage

Low

£300

Average

£800

High

£2,500

2-8 hours

More details

Emergency call-out to deal with storm-damaged trees. Includes making the area safe, removing fallen branches or trees from roofs, fences and roads, and clearing debris.

~97% labour, ~3% materials

What affects the price

  • Severity and urgency of the damage
  • Size of the tree or branches involved
  • Whether the tree has fallen onto a structure or road
  • Time of call-out (evenings and weekends cost more)

Tree Survey and Report

Low

£150

Average

£350

High

£600

2-4 hours

More details

Professional arboricultural survey and written report. Typically a BS5837 survey for planning applications or a tree condition assessment. Includes site visit, assessment and detailed report.

What affects the price

  • Number of trees to be surveyed
  • Type of report needed (condition, BS5837, subsidence)
  • Size of the site
  • Whether a tree protection plan is required

Ivy Removal

Low

£200

Average

£450

High

£900

Half day to 1 day

More details

Removing established ivy from walls, fences or trees. Includes cutting at the base, carefully pulling away growth and treating stumps to prevent regrowth. Price based on a single elevation or large tree.

~97% labour, ~3% materials

What affects the price

  • Area covered and height of ivy growth
  • Whether ivy is on a wall, tree or fence
  • Risk of damage to the surface beneath (brickwork, render)
  • Access requirements (ladders, scaffolding)

Log Splitting and Removal

Low

£80

Average

£200

High

£400

2-4 hours

More details

Cutting up felled timber, splitting logs and removing all wood and green waste from site. Often done as an add-on to tree removal work. Price depends on volume of timber.

What affects the price

  • Volume of timber to be processed
  • Whether logs are to be kept by the homeowner or removed
  • Access for vehicles to load and remove waste
  • Distance to tip or green waste facility

Popular locations

Tree Surgery Costs by City

London

£185–£685

Birmingham

£140–£515

Leeds

£145–£535

Glasgow

£155–£575

Sheffield

£150–£540

Manchester

£145–£535

Bradford

£130–£480

Edinburgh

£170–£630

Liverpool

£150–£545

Bristol

£160–£590

Coventry

£145–£525

Leicester

£130–£470

Local pricing

Find Tree Surgeon Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local tree surgeon pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Tree Removal (Small) by City

Average cost of tree removal (small) across key UK cities.

London
+24% £375
Manchester
-2% £295
Birmingham
-7% £280
Glasgow
+5% £315
Bristol
+7% £325
Leeds
-3% £290
Cardiff
-2% £295
Belfast
-13% £260

Overview

What Does a Tree Surgeon Do?

A tree surgeon provides professional services covering tree removal, pruning, stump grinding and hedge management. They handle everything from routine maintenance and inspections to full installations and emergency repairs. Whether you need a small repair or a major project, hiring a qualified tree surgeon ensures the work is done safely, to code, and to a professional standard.

You should hire a tree surgeon whenever you need work that requires specialist skills, tools, or qualifications. Many types of tree surgeon work are regulated and must be carried out by a certified professional. Attempting DIY on regulated work can be dangerous, void your insurance, and create costly problems down the line.

Pricing for tree surgeon services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a tree surgeon, always get at least three quotes from different tradespeople. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews. A reputable tree surgeon will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a tree surgeon.

Landscaping UK price guide £500–£1,200 Fencing UK price guide £100–£220 Paving & Driveways UK price guide £3,500–£8,500 Skip Hire UK price guide £80–£200 Builder UK price guide £30,000–£80,000 Pest Control UK price guide £120–£350 Gutter Services UK price guide £50–£110 Demolition UK price guide £1,000–£3,500

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about tree surgeon costs in the UK.

Do I need permission to cut down a tree in my garden?
You need to check whether the tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or whether your property is in a conservation area. If either applies, you must apply to your local council for permission before doing any work. Felling a protected tree without permission can result in fines of up to 20,000.
What is the difference between tree surgery and tree removal?
Tree surgery covers a range of work including crown reduction (reducing the overall size), crown thinning (removing inner branches for light), pollarding (cutting back to the main trunk), and deadwood removal. Tree removal (felling) means taking the whole tree down. A tree surgeon can advise which option is appropriate.
When is the best time to prune or fell trees?
Most deciduous trees are best pruned between November and March when they are dormant and the leaf canopy is gone. Avoid pruning in spring when sap is rising. Some species like cherry and plum are best pruned in summer to reduce disease risk. Check the nesting bird season (March-August) as it is an offence to disturb active nests.
Should I get the stump removed or can I leave it?
You can leave a stump, but it may attract fungi, pests and regrowth. Stump grinding removes it below ground level so you can turf or pave over it. Chemical stump killers are cheaper but take months to work. If you are replanting in the same spot, removing the stump completely is the best option.
Who is responsible for a tree that overhangs my neighbour's garden?
You are responsible for maintaining your own trees. Your neighbour has the legal right to cut back any branches that overhang their boundary, but they must return the cuttings to you. If a tree's roots cause damage to a neighbour's property, the tree owner can be held liable. It is always better to discuss tree work with neighbours before it becomes a dispute.
How much does it cost to have a tree survey done?
A basic tree condition survey costs £150-£350 per visit depending on the number of trees. A BS5837 survey for planning applications costs £300-£600 and includes a detailed report with a tree protection plan. If you are buying a property with large trees near the house, a tree survey before exchange can flag potential issues with roots and subsidence.
Can tree roots damage my house foundations?
Some tree species like willows, oaks and poplars can cause subsidence on clay soils by extracting moisture and causing the ground to shrink. If you have large trees within 10-15 metres of your house on clay soil, it is worth having them assessed. Removing a tree can also cause heave (the opposite problem) so always get professional advice before felling near buildings.
What qualifications should a tree surgeon have?
At minimum, tree surgeons should hold NPTC (now City and Guilds) certificates of competence for chainsaw use and tree climbing. Look for membership of the Arboricultural Association or ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). All tree surgery businesses should have public liability insurance of at least £5 million and employer's liability cover.
Is there a bad time of year to have tree work done?
You should avoid pruning during the bird nesting season (March to August) as it is illegal to disturb active nests. Most tree removal can happen year-round, but winter is ideal for deciduous trees when they are dormant and the lack of leaves makes the job easier. Some species like cherry and plum should only be pruned in summer to avoid silver leaf disease.
How much does a tree surgeon cost in the UK?
The most common tree surgeon job, tree removal (small), costs between £150 and £550 nationally, with an average of £300. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects tree surgeon prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable tree surgeon?
Get at least three quotes from different tradespeople, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews.
Do tree surgeon prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some tradespeople break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a tree surgeon?
Demand for tree surgeon services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.