How much does a tree surgeon cost in the UK?
A Tree surgery costs £150 to £1,800 in the UK, typically around £500 per tree. What moves the price most is the size and species of the tree, so a simpler job sits near the bottom of that range and a larger or higher-spec one near the top. Prices reviewed June 2026.
Tree surgery usually costs between £150 and £1,800 in the UK, with most homeowners paying around £500 for work on a medium tree. The price depends mainly on the size of the tree, the type of work and how easy it is to reach.
Tree surgeon cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your Tree surgery in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Tree surgeon cost breakdown
Typical Tree surgery costs, by option:
| How big is the tree | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Small tree, up to 8m | £150 to £400 |
| Medium tree, 8 to 15m | £400 to £900 |
| Large tree, over 15m | £900 to £1,800 |
What's included in the price?
Typical Tree surgery prices include:
- A site visit and quote from a qualified tree surgeon
- The agreed work, such as crown reduction, thinning, pollarding or pruning
- Climbing, roping or access equipment and skilled labour
- Chipping the branches and taking the green waste away
- Public liability insurance and safe working around the tree
What changes the price?
The things that move Tree surgery prices most:
The size and species of the tree
The type of work, from a light prune to a heavy reduction or pollard
Access and how close the tree is to buildings, fences or power lines
Whether the waste is chipped and removed or left on site
Any tree preservation order or conservation area consent needed
Your region
How the price is built up
The quote covers the team's time on site, the climbing and access equipment, and safe removal of branches. Bigger trees, heavy reductions and awkward access all take longer and push the price up. Chipping and taking the waste away is often shown as a separate line. Tree surgery is almost all labour and skill, with no real materials. The cost reflects the team's time, their climbing and cutting gear, insurance and disposing of the waste.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Get two or three quotes, as prices for the same tree vary a lot
- Ask to keep the wood chip or logs to cut the disposal cost
- Book several small jobs together so the team makes one visit
- Time non-urgent work for autumn or winter when surgeons are quieter
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, a Tree surgery typically costs around £650, about 30% above the UK average of £500. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £460.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £150 | £500 | £1,800 |
| London | £200 | £650 | £2,300 |
| South East / South West | £170 | £580 | £2,100 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £140 | £460 | £1,700 |
Guide prices per tree, scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
Tree surgeon cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £130 | £430 | £1,500 |
| Birmingham | £150 | £490 | £1,800 |
| Bristol | £170 | £550 | £2,000 |
| Cardiff | £140 | £470 | £1,700 |
| Edinburgh | £150 | £490 | £1,800 |
| Glasgow | £140 | £450 | £1,600 |
| Leeds | £140 | £470 | £1,700 |
| Liverpool | £140 | £460 | £1,700 |
| London | £200 | £650 | £2,300 |
| Manchester | £140 | £480 | £1,700 |
| Newcastle | £140 | £450 | £1,600 |
| Sheffield | £140 | £460 | £1,700 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for Tree surgery, not quotes.
Tree surgeons in London and the South East charge the most, often 20 to 30 percent above the national average. The North, Wales and Scotland are usually cheaper.
Common questions
How much does a tree surgeon cost in 2026?
Most tree surgery costs between £150 and £1,800 per tree, with around £500 typical for a crown reduction on a medium tree. A day rate for a two-person team is usually £500 to £800.
What makes tree surgery more expensive?
Size is the biggest factor, then the type of work. Poor access, being close to buildings or power lines, removing the waste, and a tree preservation order all add to the price.
Is it worth paying a tree surgeon rather than doing it yourself?
For anything above head height or over a fence or road, yes. Working at height with a chainsaw is dangerous, and a qualified, insured surgeon carries that risk and clears up afterwards.
Can I prune my own tree?
Light pruning of small branches you can reach from the ground is fine with hand tools. Climbing, chainsaw work at height or anything near a boundary should go to a professional for safety and insurance reasons.
How long does tree surgery take?
A single tree is usually half a day to a full day. Large trees or several trees together can take two days or more.
Is there a cheaper alternative to a full crown reduction?
A lighter crown thin or crown lift often costs less than a full reduction and can still fix shading or clearance issues. Ask the surgeon which suits the tree, as over-cutting can harm it.
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.