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The short answer
- Tree surgeons typically charge either an hourly rate (£40 – £80 per person) or a day rate (£300 – £700 for a team), depending on the size and complexity of the job
- Small jobs such as pruning or trimming a small tree, can cost £275 on average (£150–£400)
- Medium tree removal typically costs £700 on average (£400 - £1,000)
- Large tree removal can cost £1,100+, especially if specialist equipment or multiple tree surgeons are required
- Carry on reading to see how tree surgeon pricing works, or click here to get a quote for your garden
What is a tree surgeon?
A tree surgeon, also known as an arborist, is a trained specialist who looks after the health, safety and structure of trees. Their work focuses on maintaining trees through careful pruning, trimming and treatment, as well as safely removing trees that are dead, diseased or posing a risk to people and property. While gardeners often handle general garden maintenance, tree surgeons are trained to carry out complex work on trees using specialist equipment, climbing techniques and arboricultural knowledge.
You may need to hire a tree surgeon if a tree in your garden has become overgrown, damaged or potentially unsafe. Trees that grow too large can block sunlight, interfere with buildings or fences, or drop heavy branches during strong winds. A professional tree surgeon can safely prune, reshape or remove trees to reduce these risks while keeping your garden healthy and well maintained.
How much does a tree surgeon cost?
The cost of hiring a tree surgeon can vary depending on the type of work required, the size of the tree and how long the job takes.
Hourly rates for tree surgeons typically range from around £40 to £80 per hour. However, most tree surgery work requires at least two surgeons for safety reasons, especially when climbing equipment or chainsaws are involved. Because of this, the combined hourly labour cost for a small team may be closer to £80 to £150 per hour.
For larger projects, many tree surgeons prefer to quote a day rate. A typical team day rate usually falls between £300 and £700 per day, depending on the size of the team, the complexity of the work and the equipment required. This type of pricing is common for jobs such as crown reduction, large pruning projects or removing multiple trees from a property.
Some jobs, like full tree removals, you may find prices are fixed. This is because the tree surgeon can estimate the time required after inspecting the tree. For example, removing a small tree may cost around £200–£500, while removing a large mature tree can cost £700–£1,500 or more.
The table below gives a rough guide to common tree surgery jobs and their typical costs in London and outside.
| Tree surgery job | Price range (outside London) | Price range (London) |
|---|---|---|
| Tree pruning or trimming | £150 – £300 (inc VAT) | £180 – £400 (inc VAT) |
| Small tree removal | £200 – £500 (inc VAT) | £250 – £600 (inc VAT) |
| Medium tree removal | £400 – £800 (inc VAT) | £500 – £1,000 (inc VAT) |
| Large tree removal | £700 – £1,500+ (inc VAT) | £900 – £1,900+ (inc VAT) |
| Stump grinding | £80 – £250 (inc VAT) | £100 – £300 (inc VAT) |
| Emergency tree work | £250 – £1,200+ (inc VAT) | £300 – £1,500+ (inc VAT) |
What other factors affect the cost of tree surgery?
There are a few other considerations to keep in mind when determining the cost of hiring a tree surgeon, such as access to the tree, waste removal costs, who you book with and when you book.
1. Access
If a tree is easy to access from the ground with clear working space, the job will usually be quicker and cheaper. Trees located in tight back gardens, near buildings or behind fences may require additional equipment or dismantling the tree piece by piece, which increases labour time.
2. Waste removal
Many tree surgeons include removal of branches, logs and debris in their quote. However, if a large tree is removed, the amount of green waste can be substantial. Some homeowners choose to keep logs for firewood, while others arrange separate removal through a waste removal service.
3. Who you book with
When thinking about tree surgeon costs, it's important to bear in mind the differences between booking with an independent tree surgeon and hiring a larger gardening or landscaping company. Independent tree surgeons often run smaller operations and may have lower overhead costs, which can sometimes make their services more competitively priced.
Larger gardening companies, on the other hand, typically operate with bigger teams, more specialised equipment and administrative support. This can make them better suited to complex or large-scale projects, such as removing multiple large trees or carrying out extensive garden clearance. While their quotes may sometimes be slightly higher, they usually come with added perks, such as more availability (even in peak seasons) and access to a dedicated customer support team to help if anything were to go wrong.
4. When you book
Tree surgeons tend to be busiest during spring and summer when gardens are growing quickly, and everyone spends more time in the garden. Booking during quieter periods, such as late autumn or winter, may sometimes result in greater availability or more competitive quotes.
You'll also find that tree surgeons will charge more during "unsociable hours", such as early mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Expect to pay more for bookings made with little notice, such as next or same day.
Can I do tree surgery myself?
It essentially depends on the task. Small jobs such as trimming low branches or pruning young trees can often be carried out yourself with basic garden tools. However, larger tree surgery jobs should generally be left to professionals.
Working on large trees involves climbing at height, using chainsaws and handling heavy falling branches. Without the proper equipment and training, this can be extremely dangerous. Tree surgeons use specialised harnesses, climbing systems and safety procedures to minimise risk.
There’s also the risk of damaging the tree itself. Incorrect pruning techniques can weaken a tree, making it more susceptible to disease or structural failure.
For anything more than simple pruning, hiring an experienced tree surgeon is usually the safest option for you and your garden.
What regulations are there for tree surgery?
In the UK, some trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or located within conservation areas. If a tree is protected, you may need permission from your local council before carrying out work.
TPOs are designed to protect trees that provide significant environmental or aesthetic value. Carrying out unauthorised work on a protected tree can result in substantial fines. [1]
If you’re unsure whether a tree is protected, a professional tree surgeon will usually be able to advise you or check with the local authority. They may also help with the application process if permission is required.
There may also be rules regarding working near public roads, power lines or neighbouring properties. Professional arborists are trained to follow these regulations and carry appropriate insurance.
Where can I get a price for tree surgery near me?
It's not as difficult to find a tree surgeon as you may originally think. A good place to start is by asking for recommendations from friends, family or neighbours who have recently had tree work done. Most garden centres will be able to reccomend a good tree surgeon or they may even offer tree surgery services themselves.
One of the easiest ways to book a tree surgeon is through an established gardening service, such as Housekeep. Just tell us about your garden, and we'll match you with a tried and trusted tree surgeon. You get a quote through our online booking form.
Sources
1. Gov: Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas
Written by Georgina Shepherd & Henry Paterson
Georgina is one Housekeep's home services experts. She's interviewed thousands of the UK's best cleaners and tradespeople - so whether you need advice on a stubborn stain, or you're looking for tips to find the perfect plumber, Georgina's got you covered.
With years of experience in the industry, Henry has delivered talks at industry events including the Ideal Home Show and regularly features as an industry expert for publications including the Sun, Mail Online, Martha Stewart and many more.
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