Tree work is quoted tree by tree, not by the hour. Six things move the number more than anything else.
Tree surgery in Bristol is priced job by job, because no two trees present the same problem. The main factors are the size of the tree, the species and its condition, the type of work needed, how accessible it is, what happens to the waste, and whether any consents are required first.
We do not publish a fixed price list for tree work, because the honest answer is that it varies far more than a list would suggest. What we can do is set out exactly what moves the number, so that when you call for a free quotation you already know what we will be asking about.
Height matters more than any single factor, because it decides how the tree has to be worked. A tree that can be reached from the ground is a different job from one needing a climber on ropes, and different again from one requiring a platform. Cost does not rise smoothly with height — it rises in steps as the access method changes.
Dense hardwoods take longer to cut and produce far more waste by weight than a fast-grown softwood of similar size. Condition matters just as much: a dead, diseased or storm-damaged tree cannot be climbed with the same confidence as a sound one, so it may need a platform where a healthy tree would not.
| Type of work | Relative effort |
|---|---|
| Deadwooding | Usually the lightest — removing what is already dead |
| Crown lifting | Straightforward; lower branches only |
| Crown thinning | Slower and more selective — every cut is a decision |
| Crown reduction | Substantial work across the whole canopy |
| Sectional dismantling | The most involved — rigging each section down |
| Full removal | Dismantling plus the entire volume of waste |
A mature tree produces a surprising volume of material. Taking all of it away costs more than chipping it and leaving the chip as mulch, and more again than leaving cordwood stacked for a log burner. It is worth deciding what you want beforehand — it is one of the few variables entirely within your control.
Tell us what you need and we will arrange a free quotation.
If you are getting more than one price — and for larger work you should — make sure everyone is quoting for the same thing. Otherwise you are comparing numbers that describe different jobs.
When we quote we will say what we think the tree needs, rather than only what you asked for — including when that is less than you expected, or when a tree you were thinking of removing would be better reduced and kept.
Tell us about the work and we will arrange a free quotation.
It is priced job by job. The main factors are the size and height of the tree, the species and condition, the work required, access, waste disposal, and whether consents are needed. We provide free quotations.
Because no two trees present the same job. A price list would either be hedged to the point of uselessness, or would mislead anyone whose tree does not match the assumptions behind it.
Usually. Removal means dismantling the whole tree and dealing with the entire volume of waste, and often the stump as well.
Often more than people expect. If arisings have to come through a house rather than into a chipper at the kerb, the clear-up can take longer than the tree work.
Often yes. Leaving cordwood stacked or chip on site removes the disposal cost, so say so when asking for a quotation.
If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area, then yes — consent or formal notice comes first. Bristol City Council's tree officers can confirm the position.
Not without checking what it includes. Large differences usually mean the waste, the stump or the insurance is missing from one of them.
No. Quotations are free.
Need tree surgery, hedge maintenance, fencing, garden clearance, turfing or power washing? Complete the form and tell us what work you require.
