Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How much to remove a tree ?

48 replies

Ffsjustltb · 18/08/2022 10:41

We have a 10t conifer, about 7ft wide. Just been quoted £650 to chop it down. £1250 if they take away the roots. Nearly passed out!! Is this normal? Is it worth me getting quotes from others? We are in Yorkshire and the tree is at the front of the house, so easy access. Would appreciate if anyone has had something similar to give me an idea.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ffsjustltb · 18/08/2022 10:41

Thanks xx

OP posts:
RudsyFarmer · 18/08/2022 10:42

God it certainly didn’t used to be that price! All bets are off nowadays I think.

Original poster
Ffsjustltb · 18/08/2022 10:46

I am going to go out with scissors and cut a leaf off per day!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ffsjustltb · 18/08/2022 10:47

That should say 10ft tall.

OP posts:
stuffnthings · 18/08/2022 10:52

That does seems a lot. I'd be tempted to manually take it out myself, leave the root at around ground level. A 10ft conifer won't be too difficult to do - remove all the branches, then tackle the trunk in sections.

Not directly comparable but just over a year ago we had 2x 25-30ft Ash removed and also topped out a large crab apple tree and that cost £1400 (SW UK).

Qik · 18/08/2022 11:05

It will be much cheaper if you pay in cash and the workers drive to a country lane afterwards and tip all the conifer trimmings and branches in a farmers gateway. Or in a lay-by somewhere. That might shave some of the cost if they do not need to pay the proper disposal fee.

Terfydactyl · 18/08/2022 11:07

Not really similar but £3500 for a 30ft tree in back garden, NW

I think mostly you are paying for their knowledge and insurance if it all goes terribly wrong.
This tree I had removed was actually dangerous at its height and location, where it was could have seriously damaged any of 6 houses if it came down in a storm (or none even)
I'm gutted it had to be removed, but I'd not have been very happy if it took down half my house either. And I'm quite sure neighbourly relations would have been strained somewhat if it took out their house instead.

Original poster
Ffsjustltb · 18/08/2022 11:34

Thanks for the replies. That's really helpful stuffnthings. I think slowly but surely from the top is the way to go.

OP posts:
MiddleAgedTraveller · 18/08/2022 11:35

Does it need planning to remove? Here anything over 16cms trunk has to have permission. The local companies arrange it all with the council and often they relax the need to a full application (ie if the tree is rotten). But that all adds to the cost.

That said ours was declined and within months it fell over decimating 2 sheds, 3 cars, fences and blocking a major road.

Furries · 18/08/2022 11:40

That’s crazy! I had a similar height tree removed two years ago - £200 and that included using a stump grinder.

Furries · 18/08/2022 11:41

Qik · 18/08/2022 11:05

It will be much cheaper if you pay in cash and the workers drive to a country lane afterwards and tip all the conifer trimmings and branches in a farmers gateway. Or in a lay-by somewhere. That might shave some of the cost if they do not need to pay the proper disposal fee.

I hope you’re joking!

MrsSkylerWhite · 18/08/2022 11:42

Had to have 20 ft taken off a leylandii, which cost £500.

to remove the tree would have been £1,500 (NW)

Furries · 18/08/2022 11:42

Qik · 18/08/2022 11:05

It will be much cheaper if you pay in cash and the workers drive to a country lane afterwards and tip all the conifer trimmings and branches in a farmers gateway. Or in a lay-by somewhere. That might shave some of the cost if they do not need to pay the proper disposal fee.

Any decent tree surgeons will have a chipper, so no need for them to dump branches and trunks to avoid paying a disposal fee.

Blossom45 · 18/08/2022 12:12

We paid £950 to have two conifers chopped down to ground level (roots retained). One was around 25ft, the other around 16ft. Based on the south coast, removed in March 2021. Included it being chipped and taken away.

stuffnthings · 18/08/2022 12:33

Ffsjustltb · 18/08/2022 11:34

Thanks for the replies. That's really helpful stuffnthings. I think slowly but surely from the top is the way to go.

No problem at all. Sorry, yes, start from the top with main trunk and take it out in sections. But I would remove as many branches as possible first, makes life easier.

gluenotsoup · 18/08/2022 12:38

They are quite easy to cut down and and get out as they are shallow rooted. Dh has took loads out of our garden, some substantially bigger. It’s definitely something you could do yourselves if you wanted to, depending on health and fitness etc. Otherwise - I think you’ll get it done much cheaper.

Thestagshead · 18/08/2022 12:40

Is that Inc the roots out?

we pay 350 a day for two tree surgeons. The trunk is seperate and it’s about the same for a half days work for a grinder.

thats not a big tree, I’d expect without root ball about four hundred max, someone is taking the piss,

Thestagshead · 18/08/2022 12:43

Also can you use a chain saw? Or anyone you know? If so I’d buy one and do it myself. We take down anything ourselves we can, so max width a thigh but up to about forty foot. Anything wider than that trunk wise or taller we use a tree surgeon. We hire a guy to remove the roots though.

Original poster
Ffsjustltb · 18/08/2022 14:57

Thanks all. I thought it wasn't worth that. I know everyone has bills and insurance etc to pay, but that seems way to much. We will sort it ourselves x

OP posts:
Original poster
Ffsjustltb · 18/08/2022 14:57

Too!!

OP posts:
thesnailandthewhale · 18/08/2022 15:32

I had two trees removed earlier this year - quotes ranged from £350 - £1200 ...
I went with the £350, it was a guy who had fairly recently qualified and was building up business through word of mouth. Definitely worth getting a few quotes x

PinkTonic · 18/08/2022 15:44

I had a much taller conifer cut down last week, plus beech hedge trimmed and existing garden rubbish removed and it cost £395. Reputable local firm with first hand recommendation.

Quitelikeacatslife · 18/08/2022 16:18

Sounds like a lot, I'm in Yorkshire and I've just paid £650 for days work on cutting branches off large trees, reshaping large conifers etc, there were 3 of them and all cuttings taken away. I'd say that's fair price , were they going to remove the stump? That's pretty specialist ?

Qik · 18/08/2022 21:43

Furries · 18/08/2022 11:42

Any decent tree surgeons will have a chipper, so no need for them to dump branches and trunks to avoid paying a disposal fee.

Show quote history

Yes that is my point. Proper qualified workmen. Avoid the cowboy traders. It’s grim what they do to society.

Furries · 19/08/2022 01:08

Qik · 18/08/2022 21:43

Yes that is my point. Proper qualified workmen. Avoid the cowboy traders. It’s grim what they do to society.

Show quote history

OK, apologies. But your post really read as though that was your advice. And some idiots will take that as advice.