Tree and bush removal

Whether you are dealing with a diseased oak, an overgrown leylandii hedge, or a silver birch blocking your light, hiring a qualified tree surgeon (arborist) is the most efficient way to clear your site. This guide covers everything from the physical work involved to the legal paperwork you might need before the first branch is cut.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Site Assessment: The surgeon inspects the tree's health, identifies nearby hazards like power lines or conservatories, and establishes a safe exclusion zone.
• Sectional Dismantling: For trees in confined gardens, the climber removes branches from the top down using rigging ropes to lower timber safely without damaging the ground below.
• Felling: If space permits, the tree may be "straight felled" from the base into a clear area using precise directional cuts.
• Processing & Chipping: Smaller branches are fed into a woodchipper, while larger trunk sections are cut into manageable "rings" or logs.
• Stump Management: The stump is usually left at ground level unless stump grinding is specifically requested to remove the root ball entirely.
• Site Clearance: All "arisings" (waste) are loaded onto a vehicle, and the area is swept clean of sawdust and debris.

Typical Costs

Several factors will influence your final quote, including the tree's height, its proximity to your house, and ease of access for the woodchipper. If the surgeon has to carry heavy logs through a terraced house or up steep steps, labour costs will increase significantly.

How Long Does It Take?

• Small shrubs and bushes: 1–3 hours for complete removal and site tidy.
• Small to medium trees: 3–6 hours depending on the volume of foliage to be chipped.
• Large or hazardous trees: 1–2 full days, especially if technical rigging or a crane is required.
• Stump grinding: 30–90 minutes per stump once the tree has been removed.

DIY or Professional?

While removing a small garden bush is a manageable DIY task, tree removal is high-risk work that should generally be left to professionals. Working at height with chainsaws is incredibly dangerous, and the liability for damage to a neighbour's property or public footpaths rests entirely with you.

Professional tree surgeons carry specific Public Liability insurance and are trained to British Standard BS 3998, ensuring the work is performed safely and the tree's health is considered.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Qualifications: Look for NPTC or LANTRA certifications, which prove the operative is trained in chainsaw use and climbing.
• Verify Insurance: Ensure they have Public Liability insurance (minimum £5 million is standard for tree work).
• Get a Written Quote: This should clearly state if waste removal and stump grinding are included or are extra costs.
• Ask about TPOs: A good surgeon will offer to check with the local council for Tree Preservation Orders on your behalf.
• Red Flags: Be wary of "door-knockers" offering cheap rates or anyone who cannot provide a physical business address and references.

UK Regulations

• Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs): It is a criminal offence to cut down a tree protected by a TPO without council consent, with fines reaching £20,000 per tree.
• Conservation Areas: If you live in a Conservation Area, you must give the local planning authority six weeks' written notice before starting work.
• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: It is illegal to disturb nesting birds or bat roosts. Work may need to be delayed during nesting season (March to August).
• Felling Licences: Required from the Forestry Commission if you are removing more than 5 cubic metres of timber in a single calendar quarter (rare for domestic gardens).

Common Problems

• Underground Utilities: Stump grinders can easily sever shallow gas pipes, water mains, or fibre optic cables if they aren't located beforehand.
• Property Damage: Falling branches can crush sheds, fences, or greenhouses if not properly rigged and lowered.
• Nesting Birds: Finding a nest mid-job can legally halt work for weeks, potentially leaving you with a half-finished tree and a standing bill.
• Access Issues: If the surgeon cannot park their truck and chipper close to the tree, the extra time taken to drag "brash" will drive up the price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my neighbour's permission to remove a tree?

If the tree's trunk is entirely on your land, you do not need permission. However, if the trunk straddles the boundary, it is jointly owned, and you must reach an agreement before any work starts.

Will the tree surgeon take the wood away?

Most quotes include the "chipping" of small branches and the removal of logs. If you want to keep the wood for a log burner, tell the surgeon in advance; they may even offer a small discount as it saves them disposal fees.

Can I remove a tree in winter?

Winter is often the best time for tree removal. Without leaves, the tree is lighter and easier to handle, and there is a much lower risk of disturbing nesting birds.

Does stump grinding remove all the roots?

Stump grinding typically goes 6-12 inches below ground level, which is enough to lay turf or a patio. It does not remove every lateral root spreading through the garden, but these will eventually rot away naturally.

How do I know if my tree has a TPO?

You can check your local council's website or call their planning department. Most tree surgeons will perform this check for you as part of their quoting process.