Question 1

What is a tree preservation order?

Accepted Answer

A Tree Preservation Order is a council order making it an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot or wilfully damage a protected tree without written consent. Trees of any size or species can be covered. Breaching one can bring an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment.

Question 2

Do I need permission to cut down a tree?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or stands in a conservation area. A TPO needs written council consent. In a conservation area you must give six weeks’ notice under a section 211 notice before starting. Otherwise a tree in your own garden is generally yours to remove.

Question 3

How much does a tree surgeon cost?

Accepted Answer

Around £500 for an average job. Removing a small tree runs £150 to £350, a medium tree £400 to £700, and a large one £650 to £1,200. Expect a minimum call-out of £150 to £250, and add £50 to £100 a day on London rates.

Question 4

How much does it cost to cut down a tree?

Accepted Answer

Small trees under 25ft cost £150 to £350 to fell, medium trees £400 to £700, large trees £650 to £1,200, and anything over 75ft from £1,200 upwards. Stump removal and waste disposal are usually quoted separately rather than included.

Question 5

How much does a tree surgeon cost per day?

Accepted Answer

Roughly £180 to £250 a day for a single tree surgeon, or £350 to £500 for a surgeon with labourers, which is how most jobs are actually staffed. London adds £50 to £100 a day. Most tree work is quoted per job rather than per day.

Question 6

How much to remove a tree stump?

Accepted Answer

Grinding a stump out costs £60 to £400 depending on diameter and access. Grinding is far cheaper than full excavation, but it leaves the root system in the ground, which matters if you are laying foundations or a patio over the spot.

Question 7

How much does stump grinding cost?

Accepted Answer

Between £60 and £400 for most domestic stumps. Diameter is the main driver, but access matters nearly as much: a stump reachable only through the house needs a narrow pedestrian machine and takes considerably longer than one a tracked grinder can reach.

Question 8

How much does it cost to trim a hedge?

Accepted Answer

A small domestic hedge starts around £70, with larger or taller hedges running into several hundred pounds. Height, length and waste disposal drive the price. Trimming is usually charged per job, and green waste removal is often quoted separately.

Question 9

How much does a tree survey cost?

Accepted Answer

Between £300 and £600 for a domestic arboricultural survey. You will usually need one to support a planning application, to apply for consent to work on a protected tree, or where an insurer has linked a tree to subsidence.

Question 10

When is the best time to prune trees?

Accepted Answer

Late winter, while the tree is dormant, suits most deciduous trees. Exceptions matter: prune plums and cherries in summer to avoid silver leaf, and never prune when birds are nesting. Dead or dangerous wood can be removed at any time of year.

Question 11

Can I cut my neighbours overhanging branches?

Accepted Answer

Generally yes, back to the boundary line but no further, and without entering their land. The cuttings remain your neighbour’s property and should be offered back. If the tree has a TPO or sits in a conservation area, you still need council permission first.

Question 12

Can my neighbour cut my tree?

Accepted Answer

They may cut back growth that overhangs their property, to the boundary and no further. They may not enter your garden, cut beyond the boundary, or do anything to a protected tree without council consent. The cuttings remain yours and should be offered back.

Question 13

What is crown reduction?

Accepted Answer

Crown reduction reduces the overall height and spread of a tree while keeping its natural shape, by shortening branches back to suitable growth points. It costs £400 to £900 and is very different from topping, which cuts limbs back to stubs and damages the tree.

Question 14

What qualifications should a tree surgeon have?

Accepted Answer

Look for NPTC or City & Guilds chainsaw and aerial rescue certificates, a recognised arboriculture qualification, and public liability insurance of at least £5 million. Arboricultural Association approved contractor status is the strongest signal, though many competent firms do not hold it.

Question 15

Do tree surgeons ask for payment up front?

Accepted Answer

Rarely on domestic jobs. Most tree surgeons invoice on completion, since the work is usually finished within a day or two and materials are minimal. A deposit may be reasonable where equipment hire or parking suspensions have to be booked and paid for in advance.

Hiring a tree surgeon in South London: your questions answered

What it costs

Choosing a tree surgeon

Paying and protection

Practical questions

Comparing directories

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