South West regional pricing

How Much Does a Tree Surgeon Cost in East Devon?

Updated prices for . East Devon prices are typically 2% below the national average.

12 services priced
South West region
Updated

Price summary

East Devon Price Summary

Service Low Average High
Tree Removal (Small) £145 £295 £540
Tree Removal (Medium) £390 £685 £1,175
Tree Removal (Large) £880 £1,465 £2,935

Prices include labour and materials. VAT may apply. Based on South West regional pricing.

Full pricing

All Tree Surgeon Prices in East Devon

East Devon is in South West England and tree surgeon costs here are 2% below the national average. Prices are based on real regional wage data from the Office for National Statistics.

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

Tree Removal (Small)

Low

£145

Average

£295

High

£540

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

£390

Average

£685

High

£1,175

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

£880

Average

£1,465

High

£2,935

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

£195

High

£490

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

£295

Average

£585

High

£1,175

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

£5

Average

£5

High

£10

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

£195

Average

£490

High

£980

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

£170

High

£390

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

£295

Average

£780

High

£2,445

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

£145

Average

£340

High

£585

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

£195

Average

£440

High

£880

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

£195

High

£390

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

Step by step

What's Involved in Hiring a Tree Surgery

Hiring a tree surgeon involves checking whether permission is needed, getting professional advice on the best approach, and ensuring the work is done safely and legally.

1

Check for Tree Preservation Orders

Before any tree work, check whether the tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or whether your property is in a conservation area. You can check with your local council's planning department or search their online tree register. Carrying out work on a protected tree without permission can result in fines of up to £20,000.

2

Get a professional assessment

A qualified tree surgeon will visit your property, assess the tree, and recommend the best course of action — which might be pruning, crown reduction, or full removal. They will consider the tree's health, species, location and proximity to buildings. This assessment is usually free when provided alongside a quote.

3

Compare quotes and check qualifications

Get at least three written quotes and check that each tree surgeon has public liability insurance (minimum £5 million is standard), relevant qualifications (such as NPTC certificates for chainsaw use), and ideally membership of the Arboricultural Association. Avoid anyone who offers to do tree work cheaply without proper credentials.

4

Apply for permission if needed

If the tree is protected, your tree surgeon can help you submit a TPO application or conservation area notice to the council. This process typically takes 6-8 weeks for a TPO application. The council may approve the work, refuse it, or approve it with conditions.

5

Work is carried out safely

The tree surgery team will arrive with specialist equipment including chainsaws, rigging gear, wood chippers, and often a stump grinder. For large trees, sections are lowered on ropes to avoid damage to surrounding areas. The work area will be cordoned off for safety.

6

Site clearance and waste removal

All branches, logs, and debris should be cleared and removed from site unless you have agreed to keep the logs. The tree surgeon should leave the area clean and tidy. If a stump remains, discuss whether you want it ground out, treated with stump killer, or left in place.

Regional comparison

How East Devon Compares

Average cost of tree removal (small) across regions.

East Devon
-2% £295
National Average
baseline £300
London
+24% £375

Local insights

What Affects Tree Surgeon Costs in East Devon?

The South West has a varied housing stock, from Georgian and Regency townhouses in cities like Bath to stone-built farmhouses, coastal cottages and modern estates across Somerset and Devon. East Devon has a range of property types and ages that can affect the scope and cost of work, and many properties in the region feature older stonework, lime render and period details that require specialist attention. With a population of null, East Devon is a area where tree surgeon costs are close to the national average. Older and rural properties tend to push prices higher due to access difficulties and the need for sympathetic materials — tree removal (medium) here averages around £685.

The South West generally sits close to or slightly below the national average for trade costs, though popular areas like Bath and Exeter can be pricier. Labour rates in East Devon are around 2% below the UK average. In East Devon, local demand for tree surgeon services varies depending on the mix of residential and commercial properties in the area. Longer travel distances between jobs in rural parts of Cornwall and Dorset mean some tradespeople factor travel time into their quotes. With fewer tradespeople based locally, you may find slightly less choice, and it is worth booking ahead for larger jobs. Prices can still vary 30-50% between different tradespeople, so always compare.

What you pay for tree surgeon work in East Devon depends on the job scope, property type and materials. Period properties with lime plaster, stone walls or listed building restrictions often need specialist approaches that cost more. Coastal properties in Dorset and Cornwall can face salt exposure and damp issues that add complexity. A typical tree removal (small) in East Devon costs around £295, while tree removal (large) ranges from £880 to £2,935. As a area that is close to the national average, East Devon offers fair value for tree surgeon work compared to London and the South East.

When getting quotes in East Devon, aim for at least three from different qualified professionals. In more rural parts of the South West, fewer tradespeople may be available locally, so book ahead for larger jobs. Ask each one to visit and assess the work rather than quoting over the phone. A good tree surgeon will check the existing conditions, flag any complications from older or period features, and give you a detailed cost breakdown. With fewer tradespeople based locally, you may find slightly less choice, and it is worth booking ahead for larger jobs. Be wary of quotes that seem significantly cheaper — they may be cutting corners on materials or quality. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews before hiring.

Depending on the work involved, you may also need landscaping (£490–£1,175), fencing (£100–£215), or paving & driveways (£3,425–£8,315) in East Devon.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about tree surgeon costs in East Devon.

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 East Devon in 2026?
Tree Removal (Small) in East Devon typically costs between £145 and £540, with the average being around £295. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and the specific requirements of your property.
Are tree surgeon prices cheaper in East Devon than London?
Yes. East Devon tree surgeon costs are typically 2% below the national average, while London prices run around 24% above it. For tree removal (small), you could save over £80 compared to the same job in London.
How do I find a good tree surgeon in East Devon?
Get at least three quotes from different tradespeople, check recent reviews, and ask whether the quote includes VAT and everything you need. A detailed written quote that breaks down all costs is a good sign. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews before hiring.
What affects tree surgeon prices in East Devon?
The main factors are the scope and complexity of what you need, the options and products chosen, and local market rates. East Devon rates are 2% below the national average. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
Do tree surgeon prices include materials in East Devon?
The prices shown 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.