As a rough guide, you should expect to pay a starting rate of £100 – 150 for a small tree and a minimum of £500 for a large tree.
The cost to trim or prune a tree depends, among other things, on the type of service required and the condition of the tree. It is therefore difficult to give a price without first assessing the tree or trees in question.
In this guide, we will:
- Explore the factors that influence the cost
- Explain the different types of tree trimming services
- Answer some frequently asked questions
Tree trimming and tree pruning cost factors
The following factors influence the cost to trim or prune a tree:
The species and number of trees
Tree trimming and pruning are generally priced at an hourly or daily rate. The more trees or the more difficult the species is to work with, the longer the job will take.
Tree size
The larger a tree is, the more expensive the job will be because the tree surgeon will need to climb it. This involves more equipment, more time and a bigger team of tree surgeons to assist the process (as well as for health and safety reasons due to the complexity of working at height in a tree).
Location
Labour costs vary across the country, with London and the south-east costing more than the north.
Accessibility
If a tree is difficult to access, additional labour will be needed to get equipment to and from the tree. What’s more, the job may require more care and effort due to the increased hazards that come from restricted access.
Condition of the tree
The more that needs to be done to the tree or the ‘worse’ condition it is in, the more the job will cost. For example, a tree that requires a simple trim will cost less than a tree with multiple dead or diseased branches.
Technique of trimming
Labour requirements vary across the different techniques, with some being inherently more demanding, irrespective of the type or condition of the tree. For example, crown reduction will cost more than crown thinning as it is a more intensive process.