Hire A Tree Surgeon In London

What does a tree surgeon do?

A tree surgeon cares for, maintains and manages trees. At GraftinGardeners, our tree surgeons carry out tree felling and removal, crown reduction and pruning, pollarding, stump grinding, hedge trimming, ivy removal, emergency tree work and professional tree surveys. Every job is assessed individually, and all work is carried out to British Standard BS3998 by NPTC-qualified, fully insured arborists across North, South, West and Central London.

How much does a tree surgeon cost in London?

An individual tree surgeon in London typically costs around £45-£90 per hour, or roughly £250-£400 per day working alone. The most common setup, however, is a team of three with a truck and wood chipper, which usually costs £600-£1,500 per day in London. In practice, very few reputable tree companies charge by the hour or by the day. Most jobs require several qualified arborists and specialised equipment, so they're quoted individually based on the tree's size, species, condition, and accessibility.

Hourly and day rates rarely work in the customer's favour: if a job runs longer than expected, the cost can spiral out of control. For that reason, like most established London tree surgeons, we provide a fixed price for each project, so you know exactly what you'll pay before any work begins. The only way to get an accurate figure is a free, no-obligation quote.

For a full breakdown of average 2026 prices by job type,  including tree felling, pruning, stump grinding and emergency work, read our complete guide to how much a tree surgeon costs in London.

Are your tree surgeons insured and qualified?

Yes. Every GraftinGardeners tree surgeon is NPTC qualified and holds the relevant tickets for the work they carry out. We hold £10 million public liability insurance and work to British Standard BS3998. We're also accredited by ConstructionLine (Platinum), CHAS, SSIP, Trading Standards and Which? Trusted Traders, with over 1,000 genuine 5-star reviews.

Do I need permission to remove or prune a tree in London?

Maybe, depending on the status and location of your tree. If your tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or sits within a Conservation Area, both common across London boroughs, you'll usually need consent from your local council before work begins. Our team can check this for you, advise on what's permitted, and help with the application process as part of our service.

Do you offer emergency tree work in London?

Yes. We provide 24-hour emergency call-outs across Greater London for fallen, storm-damaged or dangerous trees. If you have an urgent situation that poses a risk to people or property, call us immediately on 0208 123 7653, and our London tree surgeons will respond as quickly as possible.

Which areas of London do you cover?

We cover North, South, West and Central London, including Wimbledon, Putney, Clapham, Wandsworth, Chiswick, Fulham, Richmond, Kensington, Chelsea and many surrounding areas. With multiple teams and a dedicated yard for green waste and timber, we serve homeowners, landlords, managing agents and commercial clients right across the capital.

What's the difference between a tree surgeon and a gardener?

A gardener maintains plants, lawns and small hedges, whereas a tree surgeon is a trained arborist qualified to work safely at height with chainsaws on larger trees. Tree work carries real risk, so it should only be carried out by qualified, insured professionals like our NPTC-certified London tree surgeons using proper techniques and equipment.

Do you remove the waste after the work is done?

Yes. Removal of all green waste is included as standard. We leave every site clean and tidy, usually tidier than we found it. Timber and woodchip are recycled, and we also sell kiln-dried firewood and biomass woodchip from the material we process.