Tree work

Find a qualified, insured tree surgeon

Tree work is dangerous, and some trees are protected by law. Here's what common jobs typically cost, what to check before any cutting starts and how to tell a qualified, insured tree surgeon from a cowboy. We can also introduce you to one vetted tree surgeon who covers your property.

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Beatrice Vasey is a horticulturist, not a tree surgery company. We introduce you to one vetted tree surgeon and are paid a referral fee by that business.

Common tree work and typical costs

Prices depend on the tree's size, access and whether the waste is taken away, so treat these as a guide and get a written quote.

Job	What it involves	Typical cost
Crown reduction	Reduces the height and spread of the crown while keeping its main framework, unlike topping, which cuts through the main stems.	About £250 to £400 up to 7 m tall, rising to £960 to £1,150 over 18 m
Crown thinning	Removes a proportion of smaller branches to let light and wind through; BS 3998 says no more than 30%.	About £400 to £1,400
Crown lifting	Removes the lowest branches to clear a path, drive or lawn.	About £300 to £850
Felling a small tree	Up to about 7.5 m (25 ft), usually taken down in sections.	About £240 to £340
Felling a medium tree	Up to about 12 m (40 ft); costs rise with access and nearby buildings.	About £410 to £960
Felling a large tree	Over about 15 m (50 ft), often needing climbers, rigging or a platform.	About £1,190 to £2,450
Stump grinding	Grinds the stump below ground level so the area can be replanted or turfed.	About £160 to £710, by size
Hedge trimming	Cutting back the sides and top of a hedge.	About £60 to £150 a visit outside London; £90 to £220 in London
Taking the waste away	Often included in the quote; check before you accept.	About £100 to £800 when charged separately

Typical prices from published cost guides (see sources below). Your tree surgeon quotes for your property.

Before any work starts

Check whether the tree is protected. If it has a tree preservation order or stands in a conservation area, the person who carries out unauthorised work and the person who causes or permits it can both be prosecuted, with an unlimited fine in England and Wales. Agree in the written quote who will check with the council.

Check for nesting birds. It is an offence to damage or destroy a wild bird's nest while it is in use or being built. The RSPB treats March to September as the main nesting season and advises cutting between 1 September and the end of February.

If you're not sure whether a tree is safe, or you need a report for planning, a mortgage or an insurer, that's a job for an arboricultural consultant's tree survey rather than a tree surgeon. Trees with cavities or loose bark may also need a bat survey before felling.

How to choose a tree surgeon

Qualifications	Ask for NPTC or Lantra certificates for the work, such as chainsaw use, climbing and aerial rescue, and whether they work to BS 3998:2010, the British Standard for tree work.
Insurance	Ask to see public liability insurance of at least £5 million. Firms with staff must by law also hold employers' liability insurance of at least £5 million.
Approved Contractor	Arboricultural Association Approved Contractors are assessed on their work, health and safety and business management. If a firm isn't on the AA's online register, it isn't one.
Written quote	Get the full job in writing: the work to each tree, whether the waste is taken away, how low the stump is cut and who checks for tree preservation orders. Deposits are uncommon for routine work.
Waste carrier	Whoever takes your green waste away must be a registered waste carrier. You can check the public register on GOV.UK, SEPA or NRW's websites before work starts.
Cold callers	Get more than one quote, and be wary of firms that leaflet or knock on the door: the Arboricultural Association advises avoiding them.

Your neighbour's trees

You can cut back branches overhanging your garden, but only up to the property boundary; go further and your neighbour could take you to court.

If the tree is protected by a tree preservation order or stands in a conservation area, you need the council's permission first, even for overhanging branches. It's good practice to ask your neighbour whether they want the cuttings back.

Your rights as a customer

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, tree work must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. If it isn't, you can ask for it to be put right first, and then for a price reduction.

If you agreed the work away from the firm's premises, for example at your home, and it costs £42 or more, you usually have 14 days to cancel. If you ask for work to start within those 14 days, you'll probably have to pay for what's been done.

How the introduction works

Tell us about the job, using the form below.
We email you the name of one vetted tree surgeon who covers your property, then pass your enquiry to them. Your details go to one business only.
They quote you directly and do the work.

We are paid a referral fee by the tree surgeon, as set out in how our partner network works. If you'd only like advice, leave the consent box unticked and Beatrice will reply herself.

Tree surgeons by city

Each city page covers the local council's rules and services that matter for this work, plus typical costs.

Questions about tree surgery

Do I need permission to cut down a tree in my garden?

Only if it's protected. Trees with a tree preservation order, or in a conservation area, need the council's consent or notice first. Garden trees don't need a felling licence in England, Scotland or Wales.

Can a tree surgeon work on a protected tree without consent?

No. The person who carries out unauthorised work and the person who has it done can both be prosecuted, so agree in writing who will check with the council before work starts.

When is the best time of year for tree work?

For most jobs, outside the bird nesting season: the RSPB advises cutting between 1 September and the end of February. Urgent safety work can't always wait, but nests in use must not be damaged.

What's the difference between a tree surgeon and an arboricultural consultant?

A tree surgeon does the work: pruning, felling and stump grinding. An arboricultural consultant surveys trees and writes reports, for planning applications, mortgages or insurers.

Should I pay a deposit?

Rarely for routine work. The Arboricultural Association says deposits are uncommon, so ask why one is needed and get the whole job in a written quote first.

Is Beatrice Vasey a tree surgeon?

No. Beatrice is a horticulturist and botanical surveyor. For tree work we introduce you to one vetted tree surgeon who covers your property, and we are paid a referral fee by that business.

Get a tree surgery quote

Tell us about the trees and the work. Beatrice reads every enquiry.

Sources (16)