Most tree removals in Birmingham cost £280–£1,400, including taking the waste away. A small tree under 5m is usually £280–£380, a medium tree of 5–10m £480–£720 and a large tree of 10–15m £850–£1,400. Trees over 15m, and any tree touching a building, near cables or over a road, are priced after a free survey rather than from a table.
The figures below are the ranges our quote form uses. They are what a homeowner typically pays for tree removal in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, not trade rates.
Tree removal prices by size
| Tree height | Typical price | Stump ground out on the same visit |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 5m) | £280–£380 | add about £70 |
| Medium (5–10m) | £480–£720 | add about £100 |
| Large (10–15m) | £850–£1,400 | add about £150 |
| Over 15m | Free survey | Priced on survey |
Prices include cutting the tree down in sections where needed, chipping the brash and taking the wood and chippings away. The stump is left at or near ground level unless you ask for it to be ground out.
If you only need the stump dealt with later, see the stump grinding cost guide. Grinding a stump on a separate visit costs more than adding it to the removal.
What affects the price
Height and spread
Height is the main driver because it sets how the tree has to come down. A small tree can often be felled in one piece. A medium or large tree in a back garden usually has to be climbed and taken down in sections, which takes longer and needs more people. A wide crown adds more brash to chip and remove.
More than one tree
Removing several trees on one visit is cheaper per tree because the crew, chipper and van are already there.
| Number of trees | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 | Single-tree price |
| 2–3 | About 1.8 times the single-tree price |
| 4 or more | About 2.5 times the single-tree price |
Access
If the only way in is through the house, or the tree is more than 20m from where the van can park, expect about 15% more. Everything has to be carried out by hand, and that takes time. Terraced houses with no side gate are the usual example.
Keeping the wood
If you keep the logs or chippings, the price is typically about £75 less, because there is less to take away and tip.
Minimum charge
Very small jobs still carry a minimum of about £150, which covers getting a qualified crew and kit to your address.
When a survey is needed
Some jobs are not priced from a table. A specialist will want to see the tree first, free of charge, if:
- the tree is over 15m
- it touches or overhangs a building
- it is near overhead cables
- it overhangs a road or pavement
- the estimate comes to more than £1,200
These jobs need extra equipment, traffic management or a network operator to be involved, and a fair price depends on seeing the site.
Worked examples
These use the ranges above. Your fixed price will depend on what the specialist sees in your photos or on site.
- A 7m sycamore in a Moseley back garden with side-gate access: about £480–£720. Adding the stump on the same visit takes it to about £580–£820.
- A 4m conifer in an Erdington front garden, stump ground out, logs kept: about £280–£380, plus £70 for the stump, less about £75 for keeping the wood. Roughly £275–£375 in total.
- Two small trees at a Kings Heath terrace where everything goes through the house: two trees at 1.8 times £280–£380 is £504–£684. Add 15% for access and it comes to about £580–£790.
- A 12m oak in a Four Oaks garden: the large-tree range is £850–£1,400. Because the top of that range is over £1,200, and because many mature trees in Sutton Coldfield are protected, expect a free survey and a TPO check before a fixed price.
Tree removal costs in the West Midlands
Birmingham and the surrounding boroughs have a wide mix of gardens. Inner suburbs such as Kings Heath, Moseley and Erdington have many terraced and semi-detached houses with narrow or no side access, which is where the access uplift tends to apply. Outer areas such as Sutton Coldfield, Solihull and Knowle have larger gardens with mature trees, more of which are covered by TPOs or sit in conservation areas.
National cost guides generally report higher prices in London than elsewhere. We do not quote a national average here because the published figures vary widely and rarely say what is included. The ranges on this page are specific to the West Midlands and include waste removal.
How to get a fixed price
- Fill in the quote form. It takes a few minutes and gives you an instant price range.
- Add photos. Good photos often mean you get a fixed price without a site visit.
- We pass your enquiry to one vetted local tree surgeon for your area. They contact you directly and confirm a fixed price, or arrange a survey if the job needs one.
Your details go to one specialist only. They are not sold on or sent to several firms.
What to photograph for a quote
Good photos usually mean a fixed price without a visit. More photo tips.
- The whole thing, with your house or fence in shot for scale
- The base or ground level and what’s around it: walls, sheds, beds
- The route in from the road: side gate, steps, the path through
For more detail, see what to photograph for a tree quote.
What to check before you pay
Whoever you use, check these before any work starts:
- Insurance. Ask to see a current public liability certificate. If they employ staff they must also hold employers' liability insurance.
- NPTC or equivalent chainsaw certificates for anyone climbing or using a chainsaw. See do tree surgeons need to be qualified?
- Waste carrier registration. Anyone taking your waste away should be registered with the Environment Agency. You can check the public register on GOV.UK.
- A written quote that says what is included: stump, waste removal, cleaning up.
- No cash-only demands. A proper business will give you a receipt and accept bank transfer.
Questions
How much does a tree surgeon cost?
It depends on the job. On our price card, pruning or crown lifting starts at £180–£280 for a small tree, a crown reduction runs from £220 to £750, full removal from £280 to £1,400, and stump grinding from about £150. The price includes waste removal. Large or complicated trees are priced after a free survey.
What is a tree surgeon's day rate?
One published UK guide (MyJobQuote, updated August 2026) puts a single qualified tree surgeon at about £200–£350 a day and a full crew at about £400–£700 a day. A day rate on its own does not tell you how many days the job takes, or whether chipping and tipping are included, so a fixed price for the whole job is a more useful number to compare.
Is it cheaper to remove the stump at the same time?
Yes. Grinding the stump on the same visit adds about £70, £100 or £150 depending on tree size. Booking it separately later starts at around £150 because of the minimum charge.
Do I need permission to remove a tree in my garden?
Usually not, unless the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or you live in a conservation area. Check first, because work without consent can lead to a fine. Our guide on trees in conservation areas explains the six-week notice.
Can I keep the logs?
Yes. Keeping the logs or chippings usually takes about £75 off the price, because there is less waste to remove.
Why do some trees need a survey?
Trees over 15m, near buildings, cables or roads, or with an estimate over £1,200 need someone to see them first. The price depends on equipment and safety measures that cannot be judged from a table. The survey is free.
Can I get the tree felled rather than dismantled?
If there is enough clear space, a tree can sometimes be felled in one piece, which can be quicker. See tree felling. In most Birmingham back gardens there is not enough room, so the tree comes down in sections.