Prices guide
Written by Craig, Foundation Garden & Trees
How much it costs to cut a tree down depends less on how big it is and more on how safely the wood can reach the ground and leave the site. We do not publish fixed tree surgeon prices; this guide explains what moves the quote.
6 minute readUpdated September 2026Last updated:
A tree with a clear drop zone can be a fraction of the cost of a sectional dismantle.
Stump grinding is usually quoted separately from felling.
A crown reduction often solves the real problem for less than removal.
Two identical trees can differ hugely in cost. One stands in an open paddock and can be felled whole. The other sits between a conservatory and a boundary wall and has to come down piece by piece, with every section lowered on ropes.
Most people who ask about removal actually want more light, less leaf fall or a limb away from the roof. A crown reduction or crown lift usually delivers that, costs less and keeps a mature tree that is worth keeping.
Where a tree is diseased, unstable or structurally compromised, removal is the honest answer and we will say so.
Leaving logs on site for firewood, leaving chip as mulch and combining the work with other jobs in the garden all take real money off the total.
Common questions
There is no single figure. Height, access, the drop zone, nearby buildings, stump work and waste removal all shape the quote, so send photos for an initial estimate.
It is quoted separately, because grinding needs different equipment and access. We price both so you can choose.
Usually yes, and it often solves the actual problem. We will tell you when reduction is the sensible option rather than selling a removal.
A straightforward fell with clear access can be a morning. A sectional dismantle over a building is commonly a full day or two with a larger team.
Yes, unless you want the logs kept. Leaving cordwood and chip on site reduces the price.
Yes, we are fully insured, and the method for each tree is agreed with you before any cutting starts.
Straightforward advice
Call Craig or send photos, your location and a short description for an initial estimate.
