Tree Cutting Near Me: What UK Homeowners Need to Know in 2026
Chris
Tree Cutting Near Me: What UK Homeowners Need to Know in 2026
What Does "Tree Cutting" Actually Mean?
In the UK, tree cutting is an umbrella term used by homeowners to describe several distinct arboricultural operations. A qualified tree surgeon will ask you what outcome you're looking for before recommending which type of work is appropriate. The main options are:
Crown Reduction
The overall size of the tree's canopy is reduced, typically by 20–30%, while retaining the natural shape of the tree. This is the most common solution when a tree has grown too large for its surroundings and is the preferred alternative to topping or pollarding for most species.
Crown Thinning
Branches are selectively removed from within the canopy to increase light penetration and air circulation, without changing the overall size or shape of the tree. This is often used for mature trees in good health that are casting too much shade.
Deadwooding
Dead, dying or structurally weak branches are removed to reduce the risk of falling limbs and improve the tree's appearance. This is a safety operation as much as an aesthetic one, and is recommended for most mature trees every few years.
Pollarding
The upper branches of the tree are removed back to the main trunk or scaffold branches, leaving a framework from which new growth will sprout. Pollarding is a traditional management technique suited to specific species such as willow, lime and plane, and should be started when the tree is young rather than imposed on a mature tree.
Formative Pruning
Shaping a young tree during its early years to encourage a strong, balanced structure. This is the most cost-effective and least invasive form of tree cutting — and the one most often skipped, leading to more expensive corrective work later.
Tree Felling
The complete removal of the tree, either by cutting at the base (felling) or by dismantling it in sections from the top down (sectional dismantling). This is only necessary when the tree cannot be managed in place.
How Much Does Tree Cutting Cost in the UK 2026?
Prices vary depending on the type of work, the size and species of the tree, access, and your location in the UK. The following table gives realistic 2026 price ranges for the most common tree cutting operations:
| Type of Work | Small Tree (under 5m) | Medium Tree (5–10m) | Large Tree (10m+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown reduction | £100 – £300 | £250 – £600 | £500 – £1,200 |
| Crown thinning | £80 – £250 | £200 – £500 | £400 – £1,000 |
| Deadwooding | £75 – £200 | £150 – £400 | £300 – £800 |
| Pollarding | £100 – £300 | £250 – £600 | £500 – £1,200 |
| Formative pruning | £50 – £150 | £100 – £250 | £200 – £450 |
Day Rate vs Per-Job Pricing
Most tree surgeons quote on a per-job basis after assessing the site. However, for larger properties or multiple trees, some will quote a day rate — typically £350 – £650 per day for a two-person team with equipment. Day rates can represent good value when you have several trees that all need attention at the same time.
Tip: If you have multiple trees that need work, get them all assessed at the same time. A tree surgeon who can do several jobs in one visit will often apply a significant discount compared to separate bookings.
Legal Considerations Before Any Tree Cutting Begins
Before picking up the phone to book a tree cutting service, there are several legal checks you must carry out.
Tree Preservation Orders
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) places a legal restriction on what work can be carried out on a specific tree. Cutting or pruning a TPO tree without the local planning authority's prior written consent is a criminal offence, carrying an unlimited fine. The work the order prohibits includes not just felling, but also significant pruning and lopping. Check with your local council's planning department or use their online portal to confirm whether your trees are subject to a TPO before instructing any contractor.
Conservation Areas
Properties in designated Conservation Areas are subject to additional controls. Before carrying out tree cutting that would have a significant impact on a tree's appearance, you must submit a Section 211 notice to your local authority and wait six weeks for them to respond. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.
Protected Wildlife
⚠️ Bats and nesting birds are protected by law in the UK. Before any tree cutting work, a check must be carried out for bat roosts and active nests. Work should not be carried out on trees known or suspected to contain bat roosts without a bat survey by a licensed ecologist. Nesting birds must not be disturbed between approximately March and August. A qualified tree surgeon will be aware of these obligations and should factor them into their assessment.
How to Find a Qualified Tree Cutting Service Near You
With the term "tree surgeon" unprotected in UK law, anyone can advertise tree cutting services regardless of their qualifications. Here's how to find someone you can genuinely trust.
Look for Arboricultural Association Approved Contractors
The Arboricultural Association's (AA) Approved Contractor scheme independently assesses member companies against professional standards for safety, quality and qualifications. Companies must hold appropriate insurance and employ qualified staff to maintain their approval status. Search the directory at trees.org.uk.
Confirm Qualifications
Operatives carrying out chainsaw work should hold relevant NPTC/City & Guilds certificates. For climbing and aerial work, look for NPTC CS38 (working at height) and relevant units for the specific operations being carried out. Don't be afraid to ask — a professional will produce their certificates readily.
Check Insurance
Public liability insurance of a minimum of £5 million is essential. Some larger jobs or commercial contracts require £10 million cover. Ask to see the insurance certificate, not just a verbal assurance.
Read Verified Reviews
Look for reviews on platforms where contractors cannot remove negative feedback. Pay particular attention to reviews that mention the quality of the cutting work itself — clean cuts, natural shape retained, site left tidy — rather than just general friendliness.
What to Expect on the Day
Before Work Starts
A reputable tree cutting company will confirm the scope of work with you on arrival, walk the site to assess access and safety risks, and set up an exclusion zone. If the work involves climbing or the use of a wood chipper, you should keep children and pets well clear of the working area.
During the Work
For crown reduction or thinning, the arborist will typically climb the tree using a harness and rope system, making cuts at natural branch unions to preserve the tree's structure and minimise wound size. Each cut should be clean and made just outside the branch collar — the swollen area where a branch meets the trunk — to allow the tree to seal the wound naturally.
After the Work
Expect the team to chip smaller material on site and either remove larger timber or stack it if you want to keep it. The working area should be raked and blown clean of small wood fragments. Before they leave, ask to be shown the work from the ground and ask whether any follow-up work is recommended.
Common Tree Cutting Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Topping a tree (flat-cutting the canopy) | Creates weak, fast-growing shoots and makes the tree unstable — avoid any contractor who recommends this |
| Over-pruning in a single visit | Removing more than 25–30% of the canopy in one go stresses the tree and can kill it |
| Cutting in nesting season without a survey | Illegal and potentially costly in fines |
| Using an uninsured contractor | You become liable for any damage or injury on your property |
| Accepting a quote without a site visit | Prices quoted without seeing the tree are unreliable — always insist on an in-person assessment |
| Ignoring TPO status | The responsibility rests with the landowner, not just the contractor |
DIY Tree Cutting: Where to Draw the Line
Some light tree cutting is well within the capability of a competent homeowner:
- Pruning small ornamental trees up to about 4 metres while standing on the ground
- Removing thin dead branches with a hand saw or loppers
- Cutting back hedges below 2 metres with hedge trimmers
The following should always be left to a qualified professional:
- Any work requiring a ladder or climbing
- Any use of a chainsaw (unless you hold NPTC certification)
- Work near power lines or overhead cables
- Trees close to buildings, fences or roads
- Any tree that may be subject to a TPO
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should trees be cut back?
This depends entirely on the species, size and location of the tree. Fast-growing species like willow or poplar may need attention every two to three years. Slow-growing species like oak or beech may need work only every five to ten years. A qualified arborist can advise on an appropriate management cycle for your specific trees.
Can I cut branches that overhang from a neighbour's garden?
Yes — you have the right to cut back overhanging branches to the boundary line. However, the cut material legally belongs to your neighbour and should be offered to them. You cannot enter their property to do the cutting without their permission.
Will tree cutting damage the tree?
Done correctly by a qualified arborist, most tree cutting operations cause minimal lasting harm. The key is ensuring cuts are made in the right place (just outside the branch collar), at the right time of year, and that no more than around 25–30% of the live canopy is removed in a single operation.
What time of year is best for tree cutting?
Late autumn and winter — when trees are dormant — is generally the best time for most cutting work. The absence of leaves makes it easier to see the structure of the tree, and the risk of disturbing nesting birds is lower. However, some species, such as birch and maple, are better cut in late summer as they can bleed sap heavily if cut in winter.
How do I know if my tree needs cutting or removing?
A professional arborist's assessment is the most reliable answer to this question. As a general rule: if the tree is structurally sound and in a reasonable position, cutting and management is almost always preferable to removal. If the tree is dead, severely diseased, or poses an immediate structural risk, removal may be necessary.
Conclusion
Tree cutting is one of the most common arboricultural services UK homeowners need — but it's also one where the difference between a good and poor contractor is most visible. The wrong cuts can disfigure a tree for years, create structural weakness, or even kill it. The right cuts, made at the right time by a qualified professional, can keep a tree healthy, safe and beautiful for decades. Take the time to understand what type of cutting work you actually need, check for TPOs, verify insurance and qualifications, and always get a written quote that specifies exactly what will be done. Your trees will thank you for it.
Find a Tree Cutting Specialist Near You → Search our free UK directory to find qualified, insured tree surgeons in your local area. Compare reviews, check credentials and request a quote today.