Gardening · Updated August 2026
Tree Surgeon Cost UK 2026: Removal & Crown Work
Removing a small tree costs £150–£500, a medium tree £500–£1,000, and a large or awkward one £1,000–£2,500+. Crown reduction runs £300–£800 and stump grinding £100–£400. Before anything is cut: a five-minute council check for a TPO can save a £20,000 fine.
Tree surgery cost by job — 2026
Includes chipping and removal of arisings; logs left on request. Access, height and what the tree overhangs set where in the range a quote lands.
| Job | Typical cost | Time on site | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small tree removal (to ~10m) | £150–£500 | Half a day | Fruit trees, birches, small conifers |
| Medium tree removal (10–15m) | £500–£1,000 | A day | Sectional felling in gardens |
| Large tree removal (15m+) | £1,000–£2,500 | 1–2 days | Rigging, roped sections, bigger crew |
| Crown reduction | £300–£800 | A day | Reshaping, not topping |
| Crown lift / thin | £200–£600 | Half a day | Light and clearance under the canopy |
| Stump grinding | £100–£400 | 1–2 hours | Per stump; access for the grinder matters |
| Hedge reduction (large) | £250–£700 | A day | Overgrown leylandii territory |
| Emergency / storm work | £300–£1,500 | Call-out | Priced on danger and urgency |
Indicative 2026 UK prices, compiled from published installer pricing (Checkatrade, MyJobQuote, MyBuilder and BookaBuilder cost guides, August 2026). BestBuilders has no quote history in this category yet, so treat these as a budgeting guide and confirm against three written quotes.
What changes the cost
| Cost factor | Typical impact | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tree size and species | the base variable | Height, spread and timber weight decide crew size and hours - an oak is not a birch |
| What it overhangs | +30–100% | Roped, sectional dismantling over a conservatory or neighbour's garage is slow, careful work |
| Access | +£100–£500 | No rear access means everything is carried through, and a chipper stays on the road |
| Waste volume | included or not - ask | Chipping on site is standard; removing trunk timber is extra unless you keep the logs |
| TPO or conservation area | +time, not money | Council consent takes up to 8 weeks for a TPO and 6 weeks notice in a conservation area - budget calendar, not cash |
| Qualifications | worth paying for | Ask for NPTC/LANTRA certificates and public liability insurance in writing - chainsaws at height are not a place to economise |
Tree surgery cost by UK region — 2026
Modelled from regional labour rates rather than measured in this category - materials cost much the same everywhere, the labour does not.
| Region | Typical installed cost | vs UK average |
|---|---|---|
| London | £640–£1,280 | +25–30% |
| South East | £590–£1,180 | +15–20% |
| South West | £520–£1,050 | +5% |
| Midlands | £500–£1,000 | baseline |
| North England | £460–£920 | −5–10% |
| Scotland | £450–£900 | −10% |
| Wales | £450–£900 | −10% |
| Northern Ireland | £420–£850 | −15% |
Getting it priced properly
1. Check for a TPO before anyone quotes
Your council's online map takes five minutes. Working on a protected tree without consent is an unlimited fine at Crown Court - the check is free.
2. Get the waste plan in the quote
Chipped and taken, logged and left, or everything removed - each is a different price, and "arisings removed" should be written down.
3. Ask what proof of competence they carry
NPTC/LANTRA tickets and public liability insurance are the baseline for chainsaw work at height. Any professional will show both without being surprised you asked.
What this costs at a glance
The same table, drawn.
Tree surgery — frequently asked questions
Around £150–£500 for a small tree, £500–£1,000 for a medium one and £1,000–£2,500 or more for large or awkward trees where sections have to be roped down over buildings.
£300–£800 for most garden trees. Be wary of anyone offering to "top" a tree cheaply - flat-topping ruins the tree and usually costs more later than a proper reduction now.
Usually not - unless the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or you live in a conservation area. A TPO application can take up to 8 weeks; conservation areas need 6 weeks written notice. Your council's website shows both, and the fines for skipping the check are unlimited.
If you want to replant, lay lawn or build over the spot, yes - £100–£400 per stump. Left in the ground, a stump takes a decade to rot and can sucker or attract honey fungus meanwhile.
Related gardening & garden guides
Patios, decking, walls and full redesigns priced.
What a full clearance costs and when a skip beats a van.
Insulated rooms from £10,000 - the step up from a shed.
Reviewed by the BestBuilders editorial team on 12 August 2026 · Next scheduled review: November 2026 · See our editorial standards.