Tree Removal and Stump Grinding Costs

Trees add beauty and value to a property, but they can also cause serious problems - subsidence, drainage blockages, structural damage, and light obstruction. Whether you need to remove a dangerous tree, clear space for an extension, or deal with a knotweed neighbour, understanding the costs and regulations saves you from expensive mistakes.

Tree Removal Costs by Size

What Affects the Price

Stump Grinding

After a tree is felled, the stump remains. Options:

Stump Grinding (Most Popular)

A stump grinder chews the stump to 15-30cm below ground level, producing wood chips that fill the hole.

Access requirement: The stump grinder needs a clear path of at least 75cm wide. For rear gardens with no side access, the machine must be carried through the house or over fences - add £100-£200 for difficult access.

Chemical Stump Removal (£10-£30)

Drill holes in the stump, fill with potassium nitrate stump killer, and wait 6-12 months for the stump to rot enough to break apart. Cheapest option but very slow.

Excavation (£200-£800)

Dig out the stump and roots with a mini digger. More disruptive but removes everything. Necessary if building on the site or if the stump is near foundations.

Legal Requirements

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

A TPO is a legal order made by the council protecting specific trees or groups of trees. It's a criminal offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, or damage a TPO tree without the council's written consent.

How to check: Contact your local planning department or search their online TPO register. The Planning Portal has guidance on TPOs and how to apply for work.

Applying for consent:

• Submit an application to your council (free of charge)
• Include details of the tree, the proposed work, and your reasons
• The council has 8 weeks to decide
• They may grant consent, grant with conditions, or refuse
• You can appeal a refusal to the Planning Inspectorate

Penalties for illegal felling: Fines up to £20,000 in a magistrates' court or unlimited in the Crown Court, plus the council can require replacement planting.

Conservation Areas

In a conservation area, you must give your council 6 weeks' written notice before carrying out work on any tree with a trunk diameter over 75mm (measured at 1.5m height). This gives the council time to decide whether to make a TPO.

The 6-week notice is free. If the council doesn't respond within 6 weeks, you can proceed.

Protected Species

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's an offence to disturb nesting birds. Most tree work should be avoided during nesting season (March-August). If nesting birds are present, the work must wait until the nest is vacated.

Bats are also protected. If a tree has potential bat roosts (old trees with holes, cracks, or loose bark), a bat survey may be required before felling (£300-£600).

Trees and Building Work

Trees Near Extensions

If you're planning an extension near a tree:

• Tree survey (BS 5837): Required for most planning applications where trees are present. Costs £400-£1,000.
• Root Protection Area (RPA): A calculated zone around each tree where construction, excavation, and material storage are restricted.
• Foundation design: Foundations near trees on clay soil may need to be deeper (1.5-2.5m) or piled. See our structural engineer guide for costs.
• Tree removal for the build: If a tree must be removed for an extension, the council may require replacement planting as a planning condition.

Trees and Subsidence

Tree roots are the trigger for around 70% of UK subsidence claims. If you suspect tree-related subsidence:

1. Don't remove the tree immediately - on clay soil, removing a tree can cause heave (the ground swells as it rehydrates), which can damage foundations in the opposite direction
2. Get a structural engineer - they'll assess whether the tree is causing the movement
3. Consult an arborist - they can recommend crown reduction (reducing the tree's water demand) as an alternative to full removal
4. Contact your insurer - tree-related subsidence is covered by buildings insurance (typically £1,000 excess)

Trees and Drains

Tree roots seek out moisture and can penetrate cracked drain pipes, blocking and breaking them. A CCTV drain survey (£150-£350) identifies root ingress. Solutions include root cutting (£200-£500, temporary) or pipe lining (£500-£1,500, permanent).

Choosing a Tree Surgeon

Qualifications

• NPTC (National Proficiency Tests Council) certificates - the minimum standard for chainsaw and tree work
• Arboricultural Association membership - the professional body for tree surgeons. Search their Find an Arborist directory.
• Public liability insurance - minimum £5 million for tree work (higher risk than most building trades)
• Employer's liability insurance - if they have employees

Red Flags

• No insurance (ask to see certificates)
• Cash-only with no receipt
• Cold callers offering cheap tree work (common rogue trader scam)
• Unable to identify TPOs or unwilling to check
• No NPTC qualifications

Get 3 quotes and check that each includes the same scope - felling method, waste removal, stump treatment, and site clearance. See our guide to builder quotes for general advice.

Find qualified tree surgeons through the Arboricultural Association or TrustMark.

Tree Pruning as an Alternative

Full removal isn't always necessary. Pruning options:

Crown reduction is the most common compromise when a tree is causing problems but you don't want to lose it entirely. It reduces the tree's water demand (helping with subsidence risk) and light blockage while preserving the tree's presence.

Next Steps

1. Check for TPOs - contact your council before any work
2. Get a professional assessment - an arborist can advise on removal vs pruning
3. Get 3 quotes - from Arboricultural Association members
4. Check timing - avoid nesting season (March-August) if possible
5. Consider the subsidence implications - removal on clay soil can cause heave
6. If building nearby - get a BS 5837 tree survey as part of your planning application
7. Get a repair estimate - use our repair calculator for costs in your area