How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in the UK?

In 2026 removing a small tree typically costs about £150 to £500, a medium tree about £500 to £1,000 and a large tree about £1,000 to £2,500, though other published bands differ, so quotes vary. Before you ask for any quote you must check whether the tree is protected, because cutting down a protected tree without the council's consent can be an offence. Prices vary widely based on how hard the tree is to reach, whether branches overhang buildings and whether you want the stump removed.

What tree removal costs in the UK

Clearing a garden often involves a mix of different trades. Soft landscaping is the living part of a garden, which includes soil, turf, planting and trees. Hard landscaping is the built part of a garden, covering patios, paths, walls, steps, decking, fencing and drainage. Tree removal sits firmly in the soft landscaping category but is often the first step before any hard landscaping can begin.

The table below shows how much you can expect to pay for different tree removal jobs and how long the work usually takes.

These figures are typical published prices for 2026. Local quotes will differ based on the condition of your tree and the layout of your garden.

Prices by tree size

The height and overall bulk of a tree dictate how long the job will take and how many people are needed to do it safely. A small tree is generally one up to about 10 metres tall. Removing one typically costs between £150 and £500 and takes a professional crew about half a day.

A medium tree stands between 10 and 15 metres tall. Removing one costs between £500 and £1,000 and takes about a day on site.

Large trees are 15 metres or taller. Taking one down costs between £1,000 and £2,500 and takes one to two days. Other published bands group trees by height in feet and give £150 to £350 for under 25 feet, £400 to £700 for 25 to 50 feet, £650 to £1,200 for 50 to 75 feet and £1,200 to £4,800 or more for trees over 75 feet. Those bands differ from the ones above, so expect a spread of prices.

If you want to keep the tree but make it smaller, a crown reduction typically costs between £300 and £800, and some price lists give £400 to £900.

Stump grinding and waste removal

Cutting a tree down to ground level leaves the stump behind. If you are clearing space to build a patio or lay a new lawn, the stump must be removed. Stump grinding involves using a specialist machine to chew the remaining wood into chips below the level of the soil. This service costs £100 to £400 per stump in the table above, and some price lists give £60 to £400.

Removing the stump is essential if you plan to install any hard landscaping over the area. You cannot lay a proper sub-base over a rotting tree stump. A sub-base is the layer of compacted crushed stone, often called MOT Type 1, that sits under paving and artificial grass to keep the surface stable.

Felling a tree creates a massive volume of waste. The prices in the table above include chipping and the removal of the cut material, with logs left behind on request, so check that your quote says the same. If waste removal is charged separately, expect to pay £90 to £500. Any trader who carries waste must be a registered waste carrier, and the register is public so you can check their credentials.

What pushes the price up

Access is one of the biggest hidden costs in tree work. If the tree is in a back garden with no side gate, every branch and log must be carried through your house. Poor access adds £100 to £500 to the final bill to cover the extra time and the effort required to protect your floors.

The location of the tree also matters. Branches that overhang buildings, roads or power lines make the job much more dangerous. The crew must lower each piece to the ground on ropes rather than letting it fall. This careful dismantling process adds 30 to 100 per cent to the standard cost.

Where you live in the UK changes the price. Modelled figures put London 25 to 30 per cent above the baseline, northern England 5 to 10 per cent lower and Scotland about 10 per cent lower, so expect local quotes to differ.

If you are planning a large development or need a professional assessment of the health of your trees, you might need a formal tree survey. A tree survey costs between £300 and £600 and is completely separate from the cost of cutting the tree down.

Check for protection before you book

You must find out whether you need permission to cut down a tree before you ask a trader for a quote. A Tree Preservation Order is made by a local planning authority in England to protect specific trees. Owners generally need the authority's written consent before cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting or wilfully damaging or destroying a protected tree.

You can ask the local planning authority whether a tree is protected. If you live in a conservation area, different rules apply. Unprotected trees in a conservation area generally need a section 211 notice to the authority six weeks before work, unless an exception applies.

Ignoring these rules is a criminal offence. A person convicted of the main offences can be fined up to £20,000 in the magistrates court and faces an unlimited fine in serious Crown Court cases. Someone who hires a person or company to carry out unauthorised work can also be guilty.

A protected tree adds time rather than money to the project. Council consent can take up to eight weeks, and unprotected trees in a conservation area generally need six weeks' notice. Do not start work on a protected tree until the council has given its written consent.

Who does tree work

Garden projects involve different professionals at different stages. A garden designer produces the plan for the space. A landscaper or landscape contractor builds it. A gardener maintains it once it is finished. Tree felling and work at height are dangerous and are not suitable for a weekend DIY project.

You should use a qualified tree surgeon with appropriate insurance to bring down a tree safely. A general landscaper may subcontract tree work if you are having your whole garden cleared, so you should ask exactly who will do the cutting and whether they are insured.

Landscaping is not a licensed trade, so vetted membership and evidence of past work matter. The British Association of Landscape Industries says its Accredited members are vetted on workmanship, skill and health and safety. The Association of Professional Landscapers says members are assessed, regularly inspected and TrustMark accredited, which is the government-endorsed quality scheme. The Society of Garden and Landscape Designers is the professional body for designers. Membership of these bodies is a good sign, but it is not a guarantee of perfect work.

Day rates and call-out charges

Many tree surgeons price their work based on how many days the job will take. A qualified tree surgeon costs £200 to £350 per day. A full crew with one or two labourers costs £400 to £700 per day. If you live in London or other busy cities, expect to pay £50 to £100 more per day for the same crew.

Even the smallest jobs can carry a minimum call-out charge, which is around £150 to £250. This means you may pay at least this amount even if a small tree takes only an hour to cut down.

Planning the space after the tree is gone

Removing a large tree completely changes a garden. Once the stump is ground away, you might decide to look at what garden landscaping costs to fill the new space. If you are building over the old tree location, you must understand the planning rules and the materials involved.

Adding a patio requires careful groundwork. The area must be excavated to make room for a solid sub-base. The paving must also have falls, which is the slight slope that sheds water away from your house. Paving more than 5 square metres of a front garden with an impermeable surface that does not drain to a permeable area needs planning permission. Permeable surfacing does not. Permeable surfaces allow water to soak through to the ground below, while impermeable surfaces force water to run off.

If you prefer a timber surface, you can build a deck over the cleared ground. Decking is made up of a timber frame beneath the visible boards. You can choose softwood boards, hardwood boards or composite boards made from a mix of wood fibre and plastic. Decking is permitted development if it is no more than 30 centimetres above the ground and, together with extensions and outbuildings, covers no more than 50 per cent of the garden. These permitted development rights apply to houses, not flats or maisonettes, and listed buildings need consent for significant work.

Removing a tree on a boundary might leave you exposed, prompting you to build a new wall or fence. Fences and walls can be up to 1 metre high next to a road or its footpath and up to 2 metres high elsewhere without needing planning permission.

What a tree quote should list

A quote is a fixed price that you will pay when the job is done. An estimate is a rough guess that can change as the work progresses. You should always ask for a written quote rather than a verbal estimate.

Citizens Advice suggests getting three written quotes before making a decision. They also advise getting a written contract, paying deposits of no more than 25 per cent and paying by card for better protection. You might be able to cancel within 14 days of agreeing a contract.

A good written quote for tree removal and any follow-up landscaping should be detailed. It should list exactly what you are paying for so there are no surprises on the final invoice.

• Whether the cost of stump grinding is included or just cutting the tree to ground level.
• Confirmation that chipping and the removal of waste is included in the price.
• Whether the trader is leaving the logs behind for you to use as firewood.
• A clear statement on whether VAT is included in the final figure.
• The exact depth of the excavation and the sub-base if they are laying paving over the cleared area.
• The named materials they will use for any hard landscaping work.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 work must be done with reasonable care and skill. If the work does not meet this standard, the customer can ask for it to be put right or seek a partial or full refund. If you end up in a dispute with a trader, Citizens Advice is the best place to find guidance.

When a landscaper is not the right person

If your project is entirely focused on bringing down a dangerous, mature tree, you need a dedicated tree surgeon rather than a general landscaper. General builders and contractors who lay patios may lack the specialist insurance and climbing equipment needed to handle large branches safely.

You should be wary of doorstep callers offering cheap paving, leftover materials or tree work. Never agree to cash deals with no written specification. The groundwork that nobody sees is where corners get cut by bad traders.

If you are having the area paved after the tree is removed, watch out for a thin or missing sub-base. Cowboy pavers often lay slabs on dabs of mortar instead of a full bed, which leaves hollow spots that crack under pressure. They might also build the patio with no fall, which means water pools on the surface or runs towards your house and causes damp. If you are replacing the tree with a fake lawn, ensure the trader builds a proper stone base. Artificial grass laid straight onto soil will quickly turn into a bumpy, waterlogged mess.

Common questions

Do I need planning permission to remove a tree?

You do not normally need planning permission, but you must check if the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area. Cutting down a protected tree without written consent from your local council is a criminal offence. The council can take up to eight weeks to grant consent for a protected tree.

How long does it take to remove a tree?

A professional crew can remove a small tree of up to 10 metres in half a day. A medium tree takes a full day on site. A large tree of 15 metres or more will keep a crew busy for one to two days depending on how easy it is to access the branches.

What happens to the wood and branches?

The prices in the table include chipping and removal of the cut material, so check that your quote does too. Logs are left behind for firewood on request, so ask beforehand.

Does stump grinding cost extra?

Yes, removing the stump is usually priced as a separate job. Guides give £100 to £400 or £60 to £400 per stump depending on the size. You will need to have the stump ground away if you plan to lay a patio or artificial grass over the area.

Next steps

Finding a reliable professional to remove a tree requires a bit of research. Take these steps to protect yourself and get an accurate price.

• Ask your local council in writing if the tree is protected by an order or sits in a conservation area before you do anything else.
• Decide whether you need the stump ground out and whether you want to keep the logs for firewood.
• Ask exactly who will be doing the cutting and check that they are a qualified tree surgeon with valid insurance for working at height.
• Check the public register to ensure the person taking the branches away is a registered waste carrier.
• Get three written quotes that clearly state a fixed price and confirm whether VAT is included.

Once you know exactly what you need and have checked the rules, you can find a landscaper near you to safely clear the space for your next garden project.