What does tree removal involve?
Tree removal is the controlled felling of a standing tree, usually in 3 stages: dismantling the crown in sections (1–4 hours), felling the trunk in segments, and removing branches and logs from site. Most domestic jobs take 2–6 hours. The stump is normally left in the ground unless grinding is added.
A qualified arborist climbs the tree or uses a mobile elevated work platform, rigs each limb to a ground crew with ropes, and lowers sections in a controlled descent. The trunk is then either felled in one drop (if space allows) or sectioned and lowered. Wood is processed on site into logs and chips, or removed in a chip lorry depending on what you want.
Equipment on a typical residential job includes 2–3 chainsaws (climbing saw, ground saw, large bar saw), climbing ropes and harnesses, lowering devices, a wood chipper, and either a Land Rover-and-trailer or a 7.5-tonne tipper. Crane assistance is added for very large or awkward trees and adds £400–£800 to the quote.
How much does tree removal cost in the UK?
UK tree removal costs £500 to £3,000+ in 2026. A small tree under 6m runs £400–£700, a medium tree 6–12m costs £700–£1,500, and a large mature tree over 12m reaches £1,500–£3,000+. Difficult access, conservation areas, or crane hire can add £300–£800 to the final figure.
| Tree size | Height | Typical UK price | Time on site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 6m | £400–£700 | 2–3 hours |
| Medium | 6–12m | £700–£1,500 | 3–5 hours |
| Large | 12–20m | £1,500–£2,500 | 5–8 hours |
| Very large / mature | 20m+ | £2,500–£3,000+ | 1–2 days |
Note that none of those figures include the stump. Once the tree is down, you are left with a stump anywhere from 200mm to 1.5m in diameter, plus radiating surface roots. Adding the stump back into the budget — see the stump grinding cost breakdown — costs another £85–£300 for most domestic stumps and £300–£600+ for very large or difficult ones.
Does tree removal include the stump?
No. Standard tree removal cuts the trunk to 100–300mm above ground and leaves the stump. Stump grinding is a separate service costing £85–£300 per stump. Around 70% of UK tree surgeons quote the two jobs separately because grinding needs different machinery and a specialist operator.
The reason is practical. A tree surgeon's gear — chainsaws, climbing kit, chipper, MEWP — does not grind stumps. A stump grinder is a separate machine with a 600mm carbide-toothed cutting wheel that grinds the stump and root flare to 150–300mm below ground level. Most tree surgeons sub-contract the grinding to a specialist rather than buy and maintain a £15,000+ machine themselves.
If you want both done together, ask for a combined quote up front. Some firms — including The Stump Doctor — handle the grinding on the same visit, which avoids a second mobilisation fee and gets the job finished in a single day. Send a photo and postcode for a fixed combined price within the hour.
Do you need permission for tree removal?
Yes, often. You need council permission to remove any tree with a Tree Preservation Order (6-week decision window) or any tree over 75mm diameter in a conservation area (6-week notice). Dead, dying, or dangerous trees are exempt but should still be reported. Felling without permission risks fines up to £20,000 per tree.
The two main regulations are TPOs (under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) and the conservation-area rules in the same Act. A TPO is a specific legal protection placed on an individual tree, a group of trees, or a woodland. A conservation area protects every tree within the designated boundary by default. Both are administered by your local council — Canterbury, Ashford, Dover, Thanet, Swale, and Folkestone & Hythe each maintain their own registers in East Kent.
The application process is free for TPO consent and free for conservation-area notice. You submit a form describing the work, the council has 8 weeks (TPO) or 6 weeks (conservation area) to respond, and if they object you may need to commission a tree report or amend the plan. We cover the full process in our guide to when you need permission to remove a tree or stump, including how to check your address against the council registers.
Three categories are exempt from both regimes: trees that are dead, trees that are dying, and trees that are an immediate danger. Even then, you must give the council 5 working days' written notice before felling unless the danger is imminent. The exemption does not cover convenience — wanting more light, more parking, or fewer leaves does not qualify.
How long does tree removal take from quote to completion?
From first quote to finished job is typically 1–4 weeks. The quote itself takes 1–3 days. If a TPO or conservation area applies, the council has 6 weeks to respond. Once cleared, most contractors book the felling within 5–10 working days, weather permitting.
The fastest possible turnaround for an unprotected garden tree is around 5–7 days. The slowest realistic turnaround for a large TPO oak in a conservation area is 10–14 weeks once you factor in survey time, application time, and contractor availability. Winter (November to February) is the busiest season for tree work because deciduous trees are dormant and the climbing is safer in cold weather.
Can you do tree removal and stump grinding on the same day?
Yes, but most tree surgeons sub-contract the grinding or schedule it 1–2 weeks later. A specialist grinder can attend the same day as the fell for a combined price — typically £600–£3,300 depending on tree size, which saves a second mobilisation fee of around £80–£150.
The benefit of same-day grinding is purely logistical. You get the lawn back in 24 hours instead of 2–3 weeks, the chips can be left to mulch a new bed instead of being walked through twice, and you only deal with one team. The drawback is timing — the tree crew needs to finish, clear out, and leave the access clear before the grinder rolls in, which works best on jobs scheduled to start at 8am.
What is the difference between tree removal and tree felling?
They mean the same thing in UK practice — the controlled cutting down of a tree. "Felling" is the technical term used by arborists and the Forestry Commission; "tree removal" is the consumer-facing term. Both leave a stump unless grinding is specifically ordered as an add-on.
One technical distinction worth knowing: the Forestry Commission requires a felling licence for any commercial felling of more than 5 cubic metres in a calendar quarter, or more than 2 cubic metres if any of the timber is sold. Domestic garden trees almost never reach that threshold — a single mature oak is roughly 3–4 cubic metres — so householders rarely need a licence, only TPO or conservation-area consent where applicable.
Tree removal in Canterbury and East Kent
The Stump Doctor is a specialist stump grinding service, not a tree surgeon. We work alongside qualified tree surgeons across Canterbury and the 27 towns within 15 miles, handling the stump once the tree is on the ground. If you have just had a tree taken down — or are planning the work — we will grind the stump to 150–300mm below ground level, backfill with the chip, and leave a level surface ready for turf, planting, or paving.
For a fixed price, send a photo of the stump (or where the tree currently stands), a rough diameter at ground level, and your postcode. You will have a written quote in your inbox within the hour, with no callout fee and no obligation. Booking from quote to job is usually 3–7 working days.
