Are you a keen gardener? If so, you're among the 42% of the UK population that enjoys gardening as a hobby! Most are ready to take on the challenges, spending hours tending to their precious outdoor spaces. Even so, certain tasks require an experienced tree surgeon because of the skills, knowledge, and equipment needed to perform them safely and properly.
We should also mention that the not-so-keen gardeners out there deserve recognition, and they might need a helping hand, especially with the really difficult stuff.
So, if you're asking questions like "How much do tree surgeons charge to cut down a tree?", this Tree Surgeon Pro blog is designed to provide all the information you need.
We've made a comprehensive list of all the common tree surgery services you'd expect from a professional tree surgeon, along with the average cost you should expect to pay. We'll also throw in some helpful details in case you're not familiar with any of the services on offer because we're just that kind of company.
Why do humans have surgery? It's to make them healthy, look better and prevent future problems. The same applies to trees; a qualified tree surgeon is trained to look after trees to improve their health and appearance and minimise the risk of future issues.
They go about this using a range of methods, such as:
Pruning is good for a tree's health - if it's handled correctly! Removing dead, diseased or overgrown branches promotes healthy growth and keeps the tree looking good.
So, how much does a tree surgeon charge to trim a tree?
As you'd expect, they base their costs according to the size of the tree and the amount of work involved. This mini tree size guide offers a rough estimate of tree trimming and pruning costs:
How do you know if your tree is small, medium or large? Tree surgeons and arborists may have different ideas on this subject, but they broadly agree that a small tree is anything up to 25 feet, a medium-sized tree is from 25 to 50 feet, and a large tree is anything over this size.
Reducing the tree's 'crown' is a process that uses selective pruning to make the entire canopy smaller while keeping the overall shape. Crown reduction is typically performed for safety reasons, to improve the tree's aesthetics, or to stop the branches blocking light.
The cost of crown reduction is usually between £300 for a small tree and £900 for a large one, with an average of about £500. When considering tree topping vs crown reduction, it's worth noting that crown reduction is the preferred method for maintaining a tree’s health and structure, whereas topping can cause long-term damage and lead to weaker regrowth.
Crown thinning is a fairly similar process, but selected smaller branches are removed from the canopy to reduce the density, increase airflow and reduce wind resistance. Like crown reduction, it also lets more light through and is a great option for trees that are basically healthy but need a bit of TLC and maintenance.
Again, tree size plays its part here, as the costs vary between £80 and £800 depending on how big the canopy is and how much needs thinning out.
Lower branches can sometimes be problematic, causing an obstruction to vehicles and pedestrians, or limiting the amount of available space in gardens.
Tree surgeons will remove the lower branches carefully while trying to retain the tree's natural shape and beauty.
The average price for this service is typically between £100 and £400.
This one always looks drastic, often raising concern when people see the results. To be fair, it is drastic: all the branches (or just the upper ones, in some cases) are cut back to the trunk. It's a common method in urban areas where a large tree can cause serious problems with passing vehicles, power lines or nearby houses.
When discussing tree topping versus pollarding, it's important to note the distinction. Topping is a more aggressive approach that can weaken the tree and lead to structural issues, while pollarding, when performed professionally, can be very beneficial. It encourages healthy new growth that fits in with the surrounding environment without causing any issues.
Pollarding costs are typically between £3,000 and £1,000, depending on size and complexity. It's common for a cherry picker to be used here, although this can be tricky in tight spaces.
As the name suggests, the tree is checked over for any dead wood, and this is removed as carefully and cleanly as possible, improving the tree's overall health. While dead wood is entirely natural and -in the right environment - highly beneficial, it can attract all kinds of fungi, disease and pests, including wasps and rodents. This isn't ideal when situated in your back garden!
Additionally, dead branches can fall, resulting in injury and damage, so it's best to get them removed before the worst happens.
A tree surgeon will charge somewhere between £100 and £300 for this service, depending on the amount of dead wood present and the time taken.
A professional tree surgeon will always recommend keeping a tree in place when it's safe and practical to do so. After all, that's what they are trained to do! Trees are absolutely vital to the existence of life on Earth, and we must do our best to preserve and look after them.
Nevertheless, there are times when tree felling is the only (or best) option, and this can be a dangerous and difficult task! So, let's dig deeper into tree removal costs...
We know - roughly - the size distinctions used by tree surgeons, but the cost of tree removal might vary depending on the method used. Where possible, your tree surgeon will use straight felling, the classic method of cutting a wedge from the base of the trunk on the side they want it to fall. A second cut is made on the reverse side to release the tree, which then falls in one piece.
The trouble with this method is that you need plenty of space for it to fall safely without hitting obstacles such as buildings, fences, walls, power lines, etc. Instead, they may need to use sectional felling, where the tree is dismantled piece by piece and lowered to the ground. For this, heavy-duty machinery will be required, and that will make things more expensive.
Now we've looked at this in more detail, we can say that the average tree removal cost is:
These costs should include waste removal but always check with the company as this can be tagged on as an extra charge to your tree removal project.
An unwanted tree stump can be a major inconvenience, attracting pests, disease and fungus, as well as being a trip or injury hazard.
Tree surgeons often use stump grinders to obliterate stumps, reducing them to sawdust and wood chips in next to no time. These are astonishingly powerful machines with a rotating disc that tears through the timber with relative ease, grinding the stump down below ground level.
Tree stump grinding cost varies depending on factors like stump size, location, and accessibility. Average prices look something like this:
Instead of grinding, the stump can be removed completely, although this is a more labour-intensive task and therefore (generally) more expensive. The tree workers will have to dig around the trunk and roots and physically remove them, either whole or in pieces. Either way, there's more work and effort involved.
Tree stump removal cost typically ranges between £50 and £300, on average. As you'll have guessed, the size of the stump matters, but the tree species can affect the overall cost, as softwood trees are (mostly!) easier to deal with than hardwood.
You could also have the stump 'removed' chemically, and this is typically between £70 and £150, although it can take several weeks or months before the stump decays fully.
A qualified tree surgeon/arborist can check trees for specific problems and various reasons. For instance, they can look for signs of disease or weakness that could compromise the tree's structural integrity. They can also perform surveys to assess any risk of damage from falling branches or trees, and can even check the condition of the soil and tree root health!
So, whether you need a report on the tree's health or you want to mitigate potential hazards, a tree surgeon can carry out a survey for you.
Mortgage lenders sometimes request a Mortgage Tree Report, and this must be undertaken by a qualified, professional tree surgeon or arborist. This report establishes whether trees are likely to cause problems in the future or have compromised the property in any way already.
Finally, tree surgeons are often asked to carry out BS5837 surveys. These are associated with all trees on or close to a development site that may be affected by construction work.
While size and complexity are obvious points to consider when figuring out tree surgery costs, there are other factors that need to be accounted for, such as:
Look, we get it - you might want to save money by doing the job yourself!
We recognise that tree surgeon prices can seem pretty high at times, depending on what services you use and how complex the project is, but the costs involved reflect the skills required and the amount of effort needed to get the job done safely.
Before jumping in and tackling tree felling, heavy pruning or tree stump grinding/removal, we suggest that you pause, take a breath and think about the significant risks involved. Using specialist equipment can be tricky, especially if it's your first time. Working at height (on a ladder, mostly!) is hazardous, particularly when you're wielding a chainsaw or pruning saw.
In our humble opinion, risking serious injury is never worth it just to avoid tree surgery costs!
We also need to consider the fact that an experienced tree surgeon or arborist knows precisely which branches to remove. They can identify diseases, weaknesses, different tree species or any potential problems simply by studying the tree, shrub or hedge for a few minutes.
This allows them to assess the situation and take appropriate action for the benefit of the trees. What do tree surgeons do? They use their expertise to diagnose tree health, perform pruning, and carry out necessary treatments to ensure the tree’s longevity and safety. Few gardeners (no matter how keen!) possess the knowledge, training, and experience to do this. Too frequently, plants and trees are damaged or destroyed by well-meaning people who make the wrong decision.
So, when you need help with tree care, compare prices and obtain multiple quotes from reputable tree surgeons before you think of going it alone. One thing you must do is contact Tree Surgeon Pro, where we guarantee a fair price for first-class tree work.
Right - we've checked out some average tree surgeon costs for you, from tree removal prices to basic maintenance, and we really hope this information is useful.
If you need clarification on any of the services mentioned here, feel free to get in touch!
