How much does tree removal cost in the UK?
Tree removal costs £800 on average in the UK. Most jobs fall between £150 and £3,000 per tree. Tree size: Small tree £150 to £500; Medium tree £500 to £1,200; Large tree £1,200 to £3,000. Prices reviewed June 2026.
Tree removal, or tree felling, is priced mostly by the size of the tree and how easy it is to reach. A small garden tree is a quick job; a large one near a house has to be dismantled in sections.
Tree removal cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your tree removal in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Tree removal cost breakdown
Typical tree removal costs, by option:
| Tree size | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Small tree (up to ~6m) | £150 to £500 |
| Medium tree (6 to 12m) | £500 to £1,200 |
| Large tree (12m+) | £1,200 to £3,000 |
| + Stump grinding or removal | add £80 to £300 |
| + Restricted access or near buildings | add £200 to £800 |
What's included in the price?
Typical tree removal prices include:
- Felling or sectional dismantling of the tree
- Cutting up and removing the wood
- Site clear-up
- Waste disposal
What changes the price?
The things that move tree removal prices most:
Tree height and trunk size
Access, and how close it is to buildings, wires or fences
Whether the stump is ground out as well
Any Tree Preservation Order or conservation area consent needed
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, tree removal typically costs around £1,000, about 30% above the UK average of £800. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £740.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £150 | £800 | £3,000 |
| London | £200 | £1,000 | £3,900 |
| South East / South West | £170 | £920 | £3,400 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £140 | £740 | £2,800 |
Guide prices per tree, scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
Tree removal cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £130 | £680 | £2,600 |
| Birmingham | £150 | £780 | £2,900 |
| Bristol | £170 | £880 | £3,300 |
| Cardiff | £140 | £750 | £2,800 |
| Edinburgh | £150 | £780 | £2,900 |
| Glasgow | £140 | £720 | £2,700 |
| Leeds | £140 | £740 | £2,800 |
| Liverpool | £140 | £740 | £2,800 |
| London | £200 | £1,000 | £3,900 |
| Manchester | £140 | £770 | £2,900 |
| Newcastle | £140 | £720 | £2,700 |
| Sheffield | £140 | £740 | £2,800 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for tree removal, not quotes.
The South East and London run above the national figures; access to the tree matters more than location.
Common questions
How much does it cost to remove a tree?
Tree removal costs roughly £150 to £3,000 per tree in the UK, typically around £800. A small tree up to about 6 metres is £150 to £500, a medium tree £500 to £1,200, and a large tree over 12 metres £1,200 to £3,000. Grinding out the stump afterwards adds £80 to £300, and difficult access near a house or wires pushes the price up.
Can I legally cut down a tree in my garden?
Usually yes if the tree is on your land, but check first: trees can be protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or by being in a conservation area, and felling or even heavily pruning a protected tree without council consent is a criminal offence carrying large fines. Your local council will confirm a tree's status for free, and a good tree surgeon will check before quoting.
Are tree surgeons cheaper in winter?
Often, yes. Winter is the quieter season for tree work, and deciduous trees are dormant and leafless, which makes them lighter and quicker to dismantle and easier to clear. Late autumn through winter is therefore usually the cheaper time to book non-urgent removals, though genuinely dangerous trees should not wait for a season.
What makes tree removal expensive?
Size and access, more than anything. A large tree next to a house, power lines or a fence cannot simply be felled; it has to be climbed and taken down in roped sections, which is slow, skilled and higher-risk work. An open-access tree in the middle of a lawn is far cheaper for the same size. Stump grinding, awkward waste removal and protected-tree paperwork add more.
Do I need to remove the stump as well?
The felling quote usually leaves the stump in the ground. Grinding or digging it out costs an extra £80 to £300 depending on size. It is worth doing if you want to reuse the ground, as some species regrow from the stump and left stumps can attract fungi and honey fungus. If the stump is out of the way, many people leave it to rot down naturally.
Should I use a qualified, insured tree surgeon?
Yes. Tree work near property is genuinely dangerous, and a falling limb can do serious damage. Use an arborist with public liability insurance, relevant NPTC or equivalent qualifications, and a waste carrier licence, and ask to see them. The cheapest quote from an uninsured operator is a false economy if something goes wrong with your roof, your neighbour's property, or a person.
Can I cut down a tree myself?
You can fell a small tree yourself, but think hard before you do. Small removals sit at the £150 to £500 end, so the saving is modest against the risk. Anything near a house, a fence or power lines, or needing climbing and a chainsaw, is a job for an insured tree surgeon. Falling limbs and kickback cause serious injuries every year, and a botched fell can damage property you then pay to repair.
Does removing a tree add or lose value?
It adds nothing to your home's value and can subtract from it, since a healthy mature tree is usually a selling point. Removal at £150 to £3000 is worth it when the tree is dead, dangerous, lifting foundations or blocking light and drains. If it is simply large, consider crown reduction instead. Check for a Tree Preservation Order or conservation area first, or you risk a heavy fine.
Official guidance and sources
The rules and schemes referenced on this page come from these official UK sources. The price figures are Costwise's own; see how we price.
- Tree preservation orders and conservation areas GOV.UK · You may need council consent to fell a protected tree or one in a conservation area.
- Apply to work on a protected tree GOV.UK · How to apply to your council to work on a protected tree.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.