How much does a tree surgeon cost?

Most tree surgeons price by the job once they have seen the tree, but the size of the tree is the best guide.

Trimming or crown lifting a small tree under about 5m usually costs £150–£400. A crown reduction or thin on a medium tree of 5–10m is typically £350–£900. Large mature trees over 10m, such as oak, beech or sycamore, often need a climber and ground team for a full day or more, and £800–£2,000 is common.

Tree surgery teams usually work as two or three people and charge a day rate of around £500–£1,200, which includes their equipment and, in many cases, chipping and removing the waste. That is why even a modest job can cost a few hundred pounds.

Felling a small tree in an open space can cost £200–£500. A medium tree typically costs £500–£1,500. Large trees, or any tree near a house, power lines, a road or a greenhouse, usually have to be taken down in sections by a climber, which takes longer and costs £1,500–£4,000 or more.

Felling usually leaves a stump at ground level. Removing it with a stump grinder costs around £80–£300 per stump, depending on diameter and access, with a reduced rate for extra stumps on the same visit. Grinding normally goes 20–30cm below ground, enough to lay turf or plant over, but not always enough to build on.

If a tree is near power lines, do not attempt any work yourself. The electricity network operator will usually need to be involved, and in many cases will make the lines safe or trim the tree free of charge.

Some trees are legally protected. A Tree Preservation Order makes it an offence to cut down, top, lop or uproot the tree without the council's consent. If you live in a conservation area, you must normally give the council six weeks' notice before working on most trees. Fines can be significant, and they apply to the owner as well as the contractor.

Your council can tell you whether a tree is protected, and many have an online map. A good tree surgeon will check this for you and can make the application.

Nesting birds are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Work during the main nesting season, roughly March to August, should only go ahead after the tree has been checked for active nests. Bats are also protected and can roost in older trees.

If you are in any doubt about whether a tree is safe, an arboricultural survey or report, typically £150–£400, will give you an independent view.

Tree surgery is one of the most dangerous trades there is, so this is not a job to give to whoever is cheapest.

Check that the tree surgeon holds the relevant chainsaw and climbing qualifications, usually NPTC or Lantra certificates, and has public liability insurance of at least £2 million, preferably £5 million. Ask to see the certificates.

Arboricultural Association Approved Contractors have been independently assessed, and working to the British Standard BS 3998 for tree work is a good sign.

They should also hold a waste carrier licence if they are taking the timber and chippings away. Be wary of anyone who knocks on the door offering to cut your trees, asks for cash upfront, or recommends topping a tree, which is generally considered poor practice.

Size and species. Taller and wider trees need more climbing, rigging and time. Hardwoods are heavier to handle than conifers.

Access. If all the timber has to come through the house, or there is no room to drop branches, the job slows down considerably.

Obstacles. Nearby buildings, fences, greenhouses, roads and overhead cables mean sectional dismantling and careful lowering.

Condition. Dead or diseased trees can be unpredictable to climb and may need a platform.

Waste. Most quotes include chipping and removal, but some do not. Keeping logs for firewood can save a little.

There is no exact tree trimming calculator, but you can get close.

1. Estimate the height. Compare it to the house: a two-storey house is around 8m to the ridge. 2. Decide what you want: a trim, a reduction, or felling. 3. Pick the range from the table, then add stump grinding if needed.

Example: a 7m sycamore beside the house that needs a 25% crown reduction, plus a small dead tree at the back to fell and grind out. Reduction £350–£800. Small felling £200–£400. Stump grinding £80–£150. Total roughly £630–£1,350, often done in one day.

On BidMyJob you can post the job with photos of the tree and local tree surgeons bid, so you can compare real prices.

Group jobs together. Several trees in one visit costs much less than separate call-outs.

Keep the logs. If you have a log burner, many tree surgeons will knock a little off to leave timber cut to length.

Prune regularly. Light maintenance every few years costs less than a major reduction after a decade of neglect.

Book in autumn and winter, when trees are dormant, there are no nesting birds and teams are often less busy.

Compare like for like. Make sure each quote states the work to BS 3998, waste removal, stump treatment and insurance.