Trees are valuable garden features, but they can also create problems — blocking light, threatening structures, or simply outgrowing their space. Tree surgery covers everything from light crown pruning to complete tree removal, and the costs vary enormously.
This guide covers all the main tree surgery operations and their typical UK costs for 2026.
Tree Surgery Costs at a Glance
Operation
Small Tree
Medium Tree
Large Tree
Crown reduction
£200 – £400
£400 – £800
£800 – £1,500
Crown thinning
£150 – £300
£300 – £600
£600 – £1,200
Crown lifting
£100 – £250
£250 – £500
£500 – £900
Pollarding
£200 – £500
£400 – £800
£800 – £1,500
Tree felling and removal
£200 – £500
£500 – £1,200
£1,200 – £3,000+
Stump grinding
£75 – £150
£150 – £300
£300 – £600
Emergency call-out
£400 – £800
£700 – £1,500
£1,500 – £5,000+
Small tree: up to 6m height. Medium: 6-15m. Large: 15m+.
What Affects Tree Surgery Costs?
Tree Size and Species
Height and trunk diameter are the primary cost factors. A mature oak or ash at 20m requires more skill, higher rigging, and more time than a small apple tree at 4m. Dense-wooded species (oak, ash) take longer to chip and dispose of than lighter species.
Access
Poor access is the biggest variable. A tree in a large open garden with vehicular access for a chipper is a very different job from one in a terraced garden with a 60cm side gate. Restricted access can double or treble costs because timber has to be cut into smaller sections and carried out by hand.
Proximity to Structures
Trees close to buildings, power lines, or other structures require careful sectional felling — cutting the tree piece by piece from the top down with ropes controlling each section. This is more skilled and time-consuming than straight felling.
Waste Disposal
Tree surgery generates significant green waste. Most contractors include one load of chipped material in their quote, but additional waste or logs often attract a supplement. Ask specifically whether all waste disposal is included.
Urgency
Emergency tree work (storm damage, a tree that has partially fallen) attracts premium pricing because of the additional risks and the need to respond quickly, often with larger crews.
Do You Need Planning Permission to Remove a Tree?
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs): Trees protected by a TPO cannot be pruned, felled, or significantly altered without permission from your local planning authority. Felling a protected tree without consent is a criminal offence with fines of up to £20,000 or unlimited fines in some cases.
Conservation Areas: All trees in conservation areas with a trunk diameter over 75mm (measured 1.5m above ground) are protected. You must give your local authority 6 weeks’ notice before carrying out any work.
Your own trees not protected: If your tree has no TPO and you are not in a conservation area, you can prune or fell it without permission (subject to any covenant or lease conditions).
Check your local council’s tree protection register or use the council’s planning portal to see if your tree is covered. A reputable arborist will check this as part of their service.
Choosing a Tree Surgeon
Tree surgery is one of the most dangerous occupations in the UK. Working at height with chainsaws requires specific qualifications and appropriate insurance. Always choose:
Qualified arborists with NPTC/Lantra qualifications (City and Guilts certificates in chainsaw and arboriculture operations)
Full public liability insurance (minimum £5 million recommended)
Member of the Arboricultural Association (provides a contractor search tool)
Never accept quotes from anyone who knocks on your door unsolicited
Stump Grinding vs Stump Removal
After a tree is felled, the stump remains. Options:
Stump grinding: A machine grinds the stump 100-300mm below ground level. Fast, effective, and allows the area to be planted or paved over relatively quickly. Cost: £75 – £600 depending on stump size.
Chemical stump treatment: Applying potassium nitrate to drill holes in the stump accelerates decay. Takes 6-18 months. Much cheaper (£20 – £80 DIY) but requires patience and fencing to keep children and pets away.
Pulling out whole stump: Requires a tracked machine (mini digger). More disruptive to the garden but removes all root material. Cost: £200 – £800 depending on root ball size.
Can You Remove a Tree Yourself?
Small trees under 3m can sometimes be safely removed by a capable DIYer using basic equipment. However, anything larger should be left to professionals. The risks include:
Trees falling in the wrong direction onto structures, fences, or people
Kickback injuries from chainsaws
Working at height with inadequate equipment
The cost of professional tree surgery is modest compared to the cost of repairing a fence, roof, or conservatory that a poorly controlled felled tree lands on.
