How much does tree removal cost in the UK? (2026)
Verified UK tree removal prices for 2026 by size and species, what stump grinding and waste add, and the council permission you must check before any tree comes down.
Removing a tree in the UK in 2026 typically costs £150 to £1,200 for most domestic trees, rising to £4,800 or more for a large mature hardwood. The size of the tree sets the headline, but access and species move it a long way. Before any of that matters, there is one free check that can stop the job dead: whether the tree is legally protected.
Quick answer
UK tree removal in 2026: a small tree (under 25ft) is £150-£350, medium (25-50ft) £400-£700, large (50-75ft) £650-£1,200, and extra-large (over 75ft) £1,200-£4,800+. Stump grinding adds £80-£300. Check for a TPO or Conservation Area protection first, as felling a protected tree without consent risks an unlimited fine.
How to read this guide#
Two kinds of figures appear below:
- Headline price ranges (by size and species): cross-referenced against MyJobQuote's UK 2026 tree removal guide. Source listed at the bottom.
- Practical guidance (permissions, access, insurance): standard UK practice and law, for context rather than figure-by-figure verification.
Headline ranges (verified)#
Tree felling by size, UK 2026:
| Tree size | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small (under 25ft) | £150 – £350 |
| Medium (25-50ft) | £400 – £700 |
| Large (50-75ft) | £650 – £1,200 |
| Extra-large (over 75ft) | £1,200 – £4,800+ |
By species (mature trees):
| Species | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Ash | £600 – £1,500 |
| Horse chestnut | £800 – £2,000 |
| Beech | £1,200 – £2,500 |
| Sycamore | £900 – £3,400 |
| English oak | £2,800 – £4,800 |
Stump grinding (£80-£300) and waste removal are usually separate lines. The species figures are for large, established specimens where weight and slow processing add cost.
Practical guidance (industry standard)#
Check the tree is not protected, first#
This is the free check that can change everything. Before booking, contact your local council to find out whether the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or stands in a Conservation Area:
- A TPO tree needs the council's written consent before any work.
- In a Conservation Area, any tree with a trunk over 75mm in diameter (measured 1.5m above ground) is protected, and you must give the council six weeks notice before cutting.
Felling or even heavily pruning a protected tree without consent can bring an unlimited fine. See GOV.UK on tree preservation orders. A reputable tree surgeon will ask about this, but the responsibility is the owner's.
Access and method drive the price#
Two trees of the same size can quote very differently:
- Straight fell. Open space, the tree drops in one piece. Cheapest.
- Section dismantle. Over a roof, garden, or boundary, the tree is climbed and taken down in pieces, roped to control the fall. Slower and far more expensive.
A quote should say which method applies, because "remove the oak, £1,500" means something very different on an open field versus a tight back garden.
Stump: grind it or leave it#
Felling leaves a stump. Grinding it out (£80-£300) removes the trip hazard, stops regrowth, and clears the ground for replanting or landscaping. Some quotes leave the stump to save money, which is fine if you know it is excluded. Check the line.
Insurance and qualifications are not optional#
Tree work is genuinely dangerous and can damage property. Use an arborist with NPTC (or equivalent) certification and public liability insurance of at least £5 million, and ask to see both. This is the area where a cheap, uninsured quote carries the most risk.
When a tree is the cause of subsidence#
If a tree near the house is drawing moisture from clay soil and causing foundation movement, removing it can be part of the fix, but get a structural engineer's view first. Removing a mature tree too fast can cause heave as the ground rehydrates. See the underpinning guide.
What is often excluded#
- Stump grinding and root removal.
- Waste and arisings removal (logs, chippings, brash).
- TPO or Conservation Area applications and any delay they cause.
- Making good to lawns, beds, and fences after access.
- Crane or access equipment for very large or awkward trees.
Red flags in a tree removal quote#
- No check on TPO or Conservation Area status where the tree is mature or the property is in an older area.
- No method stated (fell versus section dismantle) on a tree near buildings.
- Stump and waste left vague so the final bill is open-ended.
- No proof of insurance or certification. The single biggest risk here.
- A price far below the size band for a large tree, which usually means waste, stump, or insurance has been left out.
Comparing your quote#
If you have a tree removal quote, check it confirms the tree's protection status, states the method, and is clear on stump, waste, and insurance. The faster way is to paste or upload your quote into Check the Quote: we check every line against current UK rates for your postcode, flag anything above the fair range, and tell you what is missing from the scope. Your first check is free.
Got a quote you want checked?
Paste any UK contractor quote and Check the Quote compares every line item against current market rates, flags missing scope, and runs a Companies House check on the contractor. Free on your first project.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to remove a tree in the UK in 2026?
- Felling a small tree (under 25ft) is roughly £150-£350, a medium tree (25-50ft) £400-£700, a large tree (50-75ft) £650-£1,200, and an extra-large tree (over 75ft) £1,200-£4,800 or more (MyJobQuote, 2026). Stump grinding and waste removal are usually extra. Species and access can push a large mature tree well above the size band.
- Do I need permission to remove a tree?
- Possibly. You must check with your local council whether the tree has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or stands in a Conservation Area. In a Conservation Area, any tree with a trunk over 75mm diameter (measured 1.5m up) is protected and needs six weeks notice to the council. Felling a protected tree without consent can mean an unlimited fine, so check before you book the work.
- How much does stump grinding cost?
- Stump grinding is typically £80-£300 on top of the felling, depending on the stump diameter and how many roots need grinding out. Some quotes leave the stump in place, which is cheaper but leaves a trip hazard and can regrow or attract decay. Confirm whether the stump and root grinding are included or quoted separately.
- Why does tree removal cost vary so much?
- Size is the headline driver, but access and species matter as much. A tree that has to be dismantled in sections over a roof or garden costs far more than one that can be felled in the open. Hardwoods like oak and beech are heavier and slower to process. A fair quote states the method (straight fell or section dismantle), and whether waste and stump are included.
- Should I use an insured, qualified tree surgeon?
- Yes. Tree work is high-risk, and a falling limb near a house or boundary can cause serious damage. Use a tree surgeon (arborist) with NPTC or equivalent certification and public liability insurance of at least £5 million. Ask to see both before work starts. A cheap quote from an uninsured operator is the most expensive kind if something goes wrong.