Rough cost to have a tree removed

Sesmo_k

Hi all,

we've just moved into a house and much as it pains me to say it, there's tree which I think will need to be removed. It's a spruce, about 25ft tall, isn't in the best health and is growing at an odd angle. With the prevailing winds it will take down our fence and land on the area where a neighbour parks their cars should the worst happen. We've got a tree surgeon coming out today to have a look at it. Anyone have a ball park figure on what we should expect to pay?

(To make up for it being removed, we're going to plant some more trees in a different area away from any neighbours or fencing).

Many thanks!

maisie_cat

It'll depend on whether it can be climbed or needs a cherry picker. If a highway area needs traffic management or lookouts. If the tree has a clear area to fall it can be felled in one and then cut at ground level. Tree work is an area with lots of training and regulation, also lots of work thanks to ash dieback so it is expensive. Depending on where you are I would expect at least £500.

MovingForwards

Depends on where you are in the UK. I had two leylandii's felled, one bigger than my three storey building. Roped and ladders were used as the lads couldn't get anything down to the garden, everything was carried to the front of the property and turned into wood chips. 

About 2.5 years ago I paid £280 for both and they were done in a morning.

twopenny

A lot will depend on who you get and where you live.
My experience and advice would be to keep an eye on who's working in the area and how they perform.

I'd go for a reputable tree surgeon business and cough up for the price. They will do the job without fussor extra unexpected charges and clean up throughly afterwards.

The prices above look optimistic to me. That's a big messy tree. I'd be expecting nearer the£1,000-1,200
Do you want the stump removed? It's more but worth it if you want a clean start with the garden.

KajiKita

I think £500 is optimistic to have a tree that big removed. I paid £2.5K to have three fir trees taken down and various other smaller things done when we moved here. A lot of it depends on where the tree is, if the contractor has other work in the area (moving the kit and the men is one of their biggest costs so if they have other work in the locale it gets a bit cheaper), how accessible etc. 

I got three quotes, two from people we knew, and it was really obvious which one to go with - not the cheapest but the one that talked most coherently about how they would do the job. We had all the brash chipped on site to rot down for paths on the veggie patch etc but all the big lumps removed. We also paid separately for a stump grinder contractor to come in and remove the stumps - again costly but massively reduces the risk of honey fungus and the chipped / ground up stump leavings means the ground becomes light and open.

Check that whoever you choose has public liability insurance. 

KK

Sesmo_k

Thanks all, thought I'd give a quick update. 

Tree surgeon came out and had a look. After Storm Arwen last year, the tree lost a lot of it's bigger branches so isn't as bushy as it should be which is probably contributing to it's poor health. He agreed it needs to be removed and due to the space in the garden, can be felled and cut up on the ground. They're in the area next week (still lots of damage from Arwen to clear up) so they'll give us a date and time hopefully this weekend. Total cost is £600+VAT for felling, chopping up and removing.

Have ordered some fruit trees to plant in a different area to make up for it's demise.

baser999

Would have thought £600+ vat was a good price

KajiKita

I agree, £600+ is a pretty good price. You are getting the benefit of them being in the area. 😊

KK