The Short Answer
On our estimates, felling a medium garden tree (about 8 to 12m) costs £450 to £1,150 with the waste taken away; a small one £200 to £450 and a large one £1,000 to £2,100. A crown reduction on a medium tree is £450 to £750. Grinding out the stump adds £120 to £250.
Before any work, check whether the tree has a preservation order or you're in a conservation area: working on a protected tree without consent or notice is a criminal offence. And check for nesting birds, usually from March to August.
Tree surgery cost calculator
Priced by the tree's height and what's being done. Access, nearby buildings and cables can add a lot; a survey visit pins it down.
Estimated total
£570 to £1,400
| Felling a tree: medium, 25 to 40ft (8 to 12m), waste removed | £450 to £1,150 |
| Stump ground out | £120 to £250 |
Tree surgery prices
| Tree | Felling, waste removed |
|---|---|
| Small, up to about 25ft (8m) | £200 to £450 |
| Medium, 25 to 40ft (8 to 12m) | £450 to £1,150 |
| Large, 40 to 60ft (12 to 18m) | £1,000 to £2,100 |
| Very large, over 60ft | £2,000 to £4,800 |
| Other work | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Crown reduction or pruning, small tree | £250 to £450 |
| Crown reduction or pruning, medium tree | £450 to £750 |
| Crown reduction or pruning, large tree | £800 to £1,300 |
| Tree survey or report | £300 to £500 |
| Tree surgeon day rate (per person) | £290 to £480 |
Protected trees: TPOs and conservation areas
- Tree preservation order (TPO): you need the council's consent before cutting down, topping, lopping or uprooting the tree, with a few exceptions.
- Conservation area: you must give the council 6 weeks' notice (a "section 211 notice") before most work, unless the trunk is 75mm or less across, measured 1.5m above the ground.
- Breaking either is a criminal offence. Councils keep maps of TPOs and conservation areas; ask before you book.
Nesting birds
Choosing a tree surgeon
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's tree team advises:
- get at least two written quotes, and don't assume the lowest is best;
- check any trade association claim; the Arboricultural Association lists approved contractors;
- ask whether they work to British Standard BS 3998, and be wary of anyone offering to "lop" or "top" a tree, or knocking on doors;
- ask for proof of at least £2,000,000 of public liability insurance (more next to a road) and chainsaw qualifications;
- get the work, and the removal of all the waste, written into the quote.
Stumps and hedges
See stump grinding and hedge trimming.
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Tree work is priced by size, what's being done and access.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tree surgeons charge in the UK?
On our estimates, about £290 to £480 per person per day; most jobs are priced as a whole, such as £450 to £1,150 to fell a medium tree.
How much does it cost to reduce the height of a tree?
A crown reduction costs about £250 to £450 for a small tree, £450 to £750 for a medium one and £800 to £1,300 for a large one, on our estimates.
Can I remove a large tree from my garden?
Yes, unless it has a tree preservation order (you need consent) or you're in a conservation area (6 weeks' notice for trunks over 75mm across). Check with the council, and check for nesting birds.
Why are tree surgeons so expensive?
I think it's mostly the risk and the kit: the work needs trained chainsaw users, roped climbing, a team rather than one person, proper insurance and a way to take the waste away.
Is stump removal included?
Usually not. Grinding the stump costs about £120 to £250 for a medium tree on our estimates; ask for it in the quote.
How we priced thisView sources (5, 3 official)
Rules come from the legislation and official guidance, read at source. Prices are our estimates: we check them against trade price data, retailer shelf prices and specialists' price lists, then build them up from their parts so the totals add up. Below are the sources behind the page; the trade price guides we only compare against aren’t listed. Where sources disagreed, we've said so. More on our method.
- OfficialTree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, GOV.UK. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- OfficialWildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 1: protection of wild birds, their nests and eggs, legislation.gov.uk. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- IndustryPruning hedges, Royal Horticultural Society. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- OfficialHow to select an arboricultural contractor, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
- IndustryStump grinding cost UK, The Stump Doctor. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
