Taking out a hedge is a bigger job than it looks from the patio. Each plant in the row has its own stem and root system, often grown together underground, and a mature hedge produces a large volume of branches and timber. The work isn't finished until the roots are out and the ground is clear enough for whatever comes next, usually a fence, a wall or a new border.
We connect you with one vetted tree surgeon in your area who has the chipper, the chainsaws and the stump grinder or digger to do the whole job in one go.
What it costs
Hedge removal is priced by length, and includes cutting down, removing the roots and taking all the waste away.
| Hedge length | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Up to 5m | £350 (minimum charge) |
| 6m | around £420 |
| 10m | around £700 |
| 20m | around £1,400 (usually surveyed) |
| Over 30m, or very large Leylandii | Free survey |
The rate is about £70 per metre, with a minimum of £350. Anything that looks likely to cost more than £1,200 is normally checked on a free survey visit first.
These prices are indicative. The specialist confirms a fixed price from your photos, usually the same day. Our hedge removal cost guide has more examples.
What affects the price
- Height and thickness. A 2m privet hedge and a 6m wall of Leylandii are very different jobs even at the same length. Very tall or wide conifer hedges go to survey.
- The roots. Old hedges with large, woody stumps take longer to grind or dig out. Laurel and privet can have dense, tangled root masses.
- What's alongside. A hedge growing through a fence, against a wall or over a drain run needs more careful work at root level.
- Access. If everything has to go through the house, or the hedge is more than 20m from where the van can park, expect around 15% more.
- Keeping the waste. Leaving the chippings for mulch takes about £75 off.
What the job involves
- Checking for nests. In spring and summer the hedge is checked carefully for active nests before any cutting. If birds are nesting, work waits.
- Agreeing the line. If the hedge is on or near a boundary, the specialist confirms which side is yours and that your neighbour knows about the work.
- Cutting down. The hedge is cut to a low stump along its whole length. Branches go straight into the chipper; larger stems are cut into logs.
- Taking out the roots. The stumps are either ground out below ground level or dug out with a mini digger, depending on what's going in afterwards.
- Leaving the ground workable. The line is levelled and raked. If a fence is going in, the specialist can leave it ready for post holes.
A 10m domestic hedge is often a day's work for a small crew. Longer or taller hedges take longer, especially Leylandii, which produces a surprising amount of waste. Our Leylandii hedge removal guide covers what's left behind and what grows afterwards.
If you only want the hedge lower or narrower, hedge reduction is much cheaper. Routine trimming is covered under hedge trimming in our garden clearance section.
Because the specialist takes all the waste away, you shouldn't need a skip. Be wary of anyone offering to take a hedge away very cheaply for cash: if they fly-tip it, you can be held responsible. Our guide to fly-tipping and cheap garden clearance explains the risk.
Hedge specialists cover North Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and South Birmingham, among other areas.
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
Questions about hedge removal
Do I need permission to remove a garden hedge?
Usually not. The Hedgerows Regulations apply to countryside hedgerows, not to hedges in domestic gardens. Check whether any of the plants are trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order or in a conservation area, and whether a planning condition requires the hedge to stay, which is sometimes the case on newer estates.
What if the hedge is on the boundary with my neighbour?
Then it may be jointly owned, or it may belong to them. You'll need to agree removal with your neighbour before work starts. Your title deeds or plan may show who owns the boundary.
Can I have a fence put in straight away?
Yes, as long as the roots along the fence line have been dealt with. Tell the specialist that's the plan, so the stumps are ground or dug out deep enough for fence posts. The fence itself is usually a separate job.
Will the hedge grow back?
Leylandii and most other conifers won't regrow once cut to the ground and the stumps are ground. Laurel, privet and many deciduous hedges can resprout from roots left behind, which is why getting the roots out properly matters.
How much waste does a hedge produce?
More than most people expect. Even after chipping, a 10m mature hedge can fill a large van. The price includes taking it all away to a licensed site.