What does a tree surgeon cost in 2026?
Updated 30 September 2026
Tree work is priced by the job: the size and position of the tree, how much of it can be dropped in one piece, how hard it is to reach, and whether the waste is taken away. These ranges come from published UK price guides. Get two or three quotes for anything beyond a small job.
Typical prices
| Job | Typical price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Felling a small tree | £150–£400 | Pricing Penguin |
| Felling a medium tree | £400–£900 | Pricing Penguin |
| Felling a large tree | £900–£3,000+ | Pricing Penguin |
| Crown reduction | £200–£1,200+ | Pricing Penguin |
| Stump grinding | £100–£400 | TreeMend |
| Hedge trimming | £60–£150 for a standard hedge | Checkatrade |
| Team day rate | £600–£1,200 | Pricing Penguin |
| BS 5837 tree survey (for planning) | from about £300–£350 + VAT; £800–£1,800 for a full package | Arbtech, Planwatch |
What pushes the price up
- Access and risk: trees over buildings, roads or power lines have to be taken down in sections with ropes, which needs a bigger crew and more time.
- Waste: removing the timber and brash costs more than leaving logs on site. Whoever takes it away must be a registered waste carrier (GOV.UK).
- Stumps: grinding the stump out is usually quoted separately.
- Paperwork: if the tree is protected or in a conservation area, the application or 6-week notice adds time (how it works).
Before you pay a deposit
- Check the waste carrier registration if they’re taking waste away; it’s your duty as a householder. Our listings show who we’ve found on the Environment Agency register.
- Ask for proof of public liability insurance. The Arboricultural Association’s Approved Contractors must hold at least £5m (ARB handbook).
- Get it in writing: what’s being cut, whether stumps and waste are included, and the date.
- Check the tree isn’t protected before work starts (guide).
Find a tree surgeon
Somerset & Wiltshire · North & East Yorkshire
Find a firm near you: Driffield · Glastonbury · Melksham · all towns