Tree surgery: costs and choosing a tree surgeon

Commissioning tree work means checking legal protections first, then hiring a qualified, insured tree surgeon — never doing the cutting yourself.

TS-01What tree surgery actually coversTree surgery ranges from simple pruning and crown reduction (thinning the top growth) to felling a whole tree and grinding out the stump. Larger or awkward trees may need rigging, ropes or even a crane to bring branches down safely. This is skilled, dangerous work done at height with chainsaws, so it is never a job to attempt yourself.

TS-02Check if the tree is protectedBefore anything else, find out if the tree has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or sits in a conservation area. Your council's planning website usually has a map, or you can ring the planning department. Working on a tree with a Tree Preservation Order without the council's consent is a criminal offence, and so is working on a tree in a conservation area without giving the council six weeks' written notice first; either can carry a significant fine, even if you hired someone else to do it.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

TPOs and conservation area rules are a legal duty, not advice. For a TPO tree you need the council's written consent, and for a tree in a conservation area six weeks' written notice, before work starts. HomeGraft has a 'Know the rules' guide on Tree Preservation Orders.

TS-03Check for nesting birdsWild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law while nesting, which in practice usually runs from March to August. If a tree has active nests, work may need to be delayed. A reputable tree surgeon will check for this before starting, but it's worth asking about it when you get quotes.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to damage or destroy an active bird's nest, whatever time of year the work is booked for.

TS-04Get permissions sorted before you get quotesDo the checks in this order: council status check first, then (if the tree is protected) an arborist's written report to support a permission application, and only then quotes from tree surgeons for the actual work. Doing it the other way round risks paying for a quote on work you can't legally carry out yet. Council decisions on TPO applications typically take around 8 weeks; conservation area notifications usually need 6 weeks' notice before work can start. A good tree surgeon can make the TPO application or conservation-area notice for you, using their own report.

TS-05Find a properly qualified, insured tree surgeonLook for membership of the Arboricultural Association (AA) or NPTC chainsaw and climbing certificates — ask to see them, don't just take their word for it. Confirm they hold public liability insurance, ideally £5-10 million, and ask for proof in writing. Get at least two or three quotes, and be wary of anyone who turns up uninvited offering to do work there and then.

TS-06Realistic costs and timescalesFor an average three-bedroom house outside London in 2026, expect roughly £150-£450 for pruning or crown reduction of a small to medium tree, £400-£900 for a large tree, £300-£700 to fell a small or medium tree, and £800-£2,500+ for a large, mature or awkward tree needing rigging or crane access. Stump grinding usually adds £80-£300. Most jobs take half a day to two days. Costs climb towards the top of the range for tall or hard-to-reach trees, nearby power lines or buildings, protected-tree reports, and emergency or storm-damage callouts. London and the South East typically cost more than this.

TS-07What a good quote should includeA proper quote follows a site visit, not a phone guess, and sets out exactly what work will be done to which tree, how waste and timber will be removed or stacked, and the total price in writing. It should name who is covered by insurance and whether a method statement or risk assessment is included for larger jobs. Avoid anyone who will only quote verbally or asks for full payment upfront.

TS-08Questions to ask and red flagsAsk: are you AA or NPTC qualified, can I see your insurance certificate, will you check for nesting birds, and has this tree's protected status been checked? Red flags include cold-calling after storms, cash-only deals, no climbing certificates, vague scopes of work, and pressure to sign today. Be especially cautious of anyone offering to 'top' a tree — this is poor practice that damages the tree and can shorten its life.

TS-09What commonly goes wrongThe most common problems are unqualified work breaching a TPO, leading to fines; damage to a neighbour's fence, shed or boundary during felling; leftover waste or an unground stump left for the homeowner to deal with; and trees being felled when a smaller prune would have done. Get everything agreed in writing beforehand, including who clears up afterwards, to avoid disputes.

TS-10If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern IrelandProtected-tree and conservation area rules apply across the UK but sit under different legislation in each nation, so always check with your local council (or the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland) before work starts. In Scotland, a building warrant is not normally needed for tree work itself, as warrants relate to building construction rather than trees. The Party Wall Act does not cover trees anywhere in the UK, even where roots or branches cross a boundary.

KNOW THE RULES

Before you start: Can I cut down or prune a tree with a tree preservation order?

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