How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)

Photo by Pinecrest Tree Services / Unsplash

Tree removal is one of those garden jobs where the price can vary wildly depending on factors that aren't always obvious upfront. A small ornamental tree in an open garden might cost £300 to remove. A large oak close to a house, with limited access and a preservation order to navigate, could cost £3,000 or more — and that's before you factor in stump grinding and log disposal.

This guide breaks down tree removal costs in the UK for 2026, explains what drives the price, and helps you understand what to look for when getting quotes from arborists.

Tree removal in the UK typically costs between £300 and £2,500 for most residential jobs, depending on tree height, trunk diameter, and site access. Small trees under 5m cost £150–£500 to remove. Large trees over 15m can cost £1,500–£5,000+. Stump grinding is usually charged separately at £100–£400.

Average Tree Removal Costs in the UK (2026)

Cost varies primarily by tree size. Here's a breakdown of typical prices by height:

Tree Height	Typical Cost	Notes
Small (up to 5m)	£150–£500	Shrubs, ornamentals, young trees
Medium (5m–10m)	£500–£1,200	Mature garden trees, standard fruit trees
Large (10m–15m)	£1,000–£2,500	Established conifers, mature ash or beech
Very large (15m+)	£2,000–£5,000+	Oak, large lime, veteran trees
Stump grinding	£100–£400	Per stump; depth and diameter dependent
Log removal / chipping	£100–£300	If not retained by homeowner

These are approximate ranges. The final price depends heavily on access, proximity to structures, the condition of the tree, and how the waste is handled. An arborist will always need to see the tree in person before quoting — be wary of anyone who gives a firm price over the phone or from a photo alone.

What Affects the Cost of Tree Removal?

Tree Size

Height and trunk diameter are the two most important variables. A taller tree has more volume to remove, requires larger equipment, and presents greater risk. Trunk diameter affects how long sectioning and cutting takes. Some arborists price by trunk diameter at chest height (DBH — diameter at breast height) rather than overall tree height, which gives a more accurate measure of the actual volume of timber involved.

Access

Access is often the single biggest variable in a quote. A tree in an open garden that a cherry picker can reach is straightforward. A tree in a back garden accessible only through the house, or surrounded by other mature planting, requires far more complex climbing work and hand-lowering of sections. Tight access can double the cost of an otherwise simple removal.

Proximity to Structures

A tree growing close to a house, garage, boundary wall, or overhead cables requires considerably more care. Sections must be carefully hand-lowered rather than simply felled — which takes longer, requires more skilled operatives, and increases the risk the arborist is working with. Expect to pay a significant premium for any tree within falling distance of a structure.

Tree Condition

A dead or diseased tree is often more expensive to remove than a healthy one. Dead wood is unpredictable under a chainsaw — it can split or shift unexpectedly, making controlled sectioning harder. A tree with a significant lean presents its own challenges. If the tree is in advanced decay, the arborist may need to take a more cautious approach that adds time to the job.

Stump Removal

Felling a tree leaves a stump. Some homeowners are happy to leave a stump in place — it can be used as a planting feature or left to decay naturally. Most, however, want it removed. Stump grinding — using a specialised machine to grind the stump down below ground level — is the standard method and typically costs £100–£400 depending on stump diameter. Full stump extraction (digging out the root ball) is more expensive and rarely necessary for most garden situations. Note that stump grinding is almost always quoted separately from tree removal.

Log and Waste Disposal

What happens to the wood and green waste after felling affects the final price. Many arborists will offer to take all waste away for a fee, or leave logs for firewood at no extra charge if you want them. Having logs delivered and stacked is sometimes offered as an optional extra. Chipping the green waste on site is common — some arborists will leave the chippings as mulch, others take them away. Clarify waste arrangements before work begins to avoid unexpected charges.

Do You Need Permission to Remove a Tree?

This is one of the most important questions to ask before any tree work begins. There are several situations where you legally cannot remove a tree without consent:

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

A Tree Preservation Order is placed on individual trees or groups of trees by the local planning authority to protect them. Removing or carrying out significant work on a TPO tree without consent is a criminal offence, carrying a fine of up to £20,000. You can check whether a tree has a TPO by contacting your local council or checking their online mapping system. Your arborist should also be aware of this before beginning work.

Conservation Areas

If your property is in a conservation area, you must give the local authority six weeks' written notice before removing any tree with a trunk diameter of 75mm or more (measured 1.5m from the ground). The council can use this period to apply a TPO if they wish to protect the tree. Work can proceed after six weeks if no objection is raised.

Planning Conditions

Some properties have planning conditions that protect trees — particularly newer developments where trees were part of the planning approval. Check your planning documents if in doubt, particularly for trees that appeared to be part of a landscaping scheme when your home was built.

If your tree is not subject to a TPO and your property is not in a conservation area, you can generally remove trees in your own garden without permission — though boundary trees shared with a neighbour require their agreement before any work takes place.

Tree Removal vs Crown Reduction: Do You Need Full Removal?

Full removal isn't always the right answer. In many cases, a crown reduction — cutting the tree back to reduce its size and canopy — addresses the underlying concern (shading, proximity to the house, structural risk) without removing the tree entirely. Crown reduction typically costs £200–£800 depending on tree size and is significantly cheaper than full removal.

A good arborist will always discuss alternatives to removal if they're appropriate. Be cautious of any contractor who recommends immediate felling without first discussing whether remedial pruning might achieve your goal.

How to Get Tree Removal Quotes

Always get at least three quotes — prices vary significantly between contractors
Use arborists who hold a relevant qualification (City & Guilds or NPTC/Lantra awards in arboriculture)
Check that the contractor holds adequate public liability insurance — a minimum of £5 million is standard for tree work
Ask whether the quote includes stump grinding and waste removal, or whether these are additional
Check TPO status before inviting quotes — an arborist who doesn't ask about this is a red flag
Look for members of the Arboricultural Association's Approved Contractor scheme for vetted, insured practitioners

How to Save Money on Tree Removal

Keep logs yourself for firewood — saves the disposal charge and gives you useful fuel
Accept chippings as mulch — many arborists will leave them for free
Group works if you have multiple trees — mobilisation costs are significant, and doing several trees in one visit is cheaper than separate visits
Book in autumn or winter when arborists are less busy and may quote more competitively
Consider crown reduction rather than removal if the goal is reducing size or risk

Tree removal is often part of a wider garden clearance or landscaping project. If you're planning significant garden work alongside tree removal, see our guide to landscaping costs for a full picture of what a garden transformation typically involves.

About the Author

James Hartley has spent over two decades renovating and landscaping residential gardens across the UK. He built The Garden Cost Guide to give homeowners straightforward, no-nonsense pricing information they can actually use.