Tree surgeons in Edinburgh
If you need a tree pruned, reduced or felled in Edinburgh, use a qualified, insured tree surgeon and check whether the tree is protected first. We can introduce you to one vetted tree surgeon who covers your property in Edinburgh.
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.
Before tree work in Edinburgh
- Protected trees
- Check the City of Edinburgh Council's interactive map, which shows conservation areas in green and TPOs in purple. Protected trees need the council's consent for work, unless it is urgently necessary for safety or one of a few other set exceptions applies. The Scottish Government's guidance gives fines of up to £20,000 on summary conviction, and unlimited on indictment.
- Conservation areas
- In a conservation area, give the council 6 weeks' notice before working on a tree with a trunk over 75 mm across, and carry out the work within 2 years.
- Garden waste
- Edinburgh's garden waste permit costs £45 for 2026/27, running from 3 November 2026 to 31 October 2027.
- Nesting birds
- It is also an offence to take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built, so tree work in spring and summer needs a nest check first.
Common tree work and costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Crown reduction | About £250 to £400 up to 7 m tall, rising to £960 to £1,150 over 18 m |
| Crown thinning | About £400 to £1,400 |
| Crown lifting | About £300 to £850 |
| Felling a small tree | About £240 to £340 |
| Felling a medium tree | About £410 to £960 |
| Felling a large tree | About £1,190 to £2,450 |
| Stump grinding | About £160 to £710, by size |
| Hedge trimming | About £60 to £150 a visit outside London; £90 to £220 in London |
| Taking the waste away | About £100 to £800 when charged separately |
Typical prices from published cost guides. Your tree surgeon quotes for your property.
Your tree surgeon in Edinburgh
We pass each Edinburgh enquiry to one vetted tree surgeon who covers your property. You get an email naming them before your details are shared, and they quote you directly. We are paid a referral fee by that business, as set out in how our partner network works.
We also arrange tree surgery in Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham.
In Edinburgh we can also introduce you to specialists for Japanese knotweed treatment, bat surveys, ecological surveys, tree surveys and landscaping, all listed on our Edinburgh page.
Tree surgeons questions in Edinburgh
Do I need a survey before felling a tree in Edinburgh?
Only in some cases: if the felling is part of a planning application, you'll need a tree survey for planning in Edinburgh, and if you're unsure whether a tree is safe, a condition survey gives you an independent view. For routine pruning or removing a small garden tree that isn't protected, a tree surgeon's assessment is usually enough.
How do I check if a tree is protected in Edinburgh?
Check the City of Edinburgh Council's interactive map, which shows conservation areas in green and TPOs in purple.
Can I cut back my neighbour's tree in Edinburgh?
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.
Who takes the cuttings away in Edinburgh?
Most tree surgeons take the cuttings away as part of the price, so check the quote says so; charged separately, removal typically adds £100 to £800. Whoever takes your waste must be a registered waste carrier, and if an unregistered carrier fly-tips it, you can be fined too.
Get a tree surgery quote in Edinburgh
Tell us about the trees and the work. Beatrice reads every enquiry.