Most garden trees in Birmingham can't simply be cut at the base and pushed over. There's a house, a fence, a greenhouse or a neighbour's extension in the way. So tree removal usually means taking the tree apart from the top down, lowering the pieces on ropes, and only then dealing with the trunk.
We connect you with one vetted tree surgeon in your area who does this every week. You describe the tree, add photos and get an indicative price range straight away. The specialist confirms a fixed price, usually the same day.
What it costs
Prices are by height and include cutting up and taking away all the wood and brash.
| Tree height | Indicative price | Stump ground out at the same visit |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 5m) | £280–£380 | add £70 |
| Medium (5–10m) | £480–£720 | add £100 |
| Large (10–15m) | £850–£1,400 | add £150 |
| Over 15m | Free survey | Priced on survey |
A 5m tree is roughly the height of a house's first-floor gutter; 10m is a little above the ridge of a typical two-storey house. If the trunk is too thick to reach your arms round, it will usually be priced one size up.
These prices are indicative. The specialist confirms a fixed price from your photos, usually the same day. The tree removal cost guide has worked examples.
What affects the price
- Drop zone. If the specialist can let large sections fall onto lawn, the job goes quickly. If everything below is fragile, each piece has to be roped down, which takes a bigger crew and more time.
- More than one tree. Two or three trees cost about 1.8 times the price of one; four or more about 2.5 times.
- Access. Carrying everything through the house, or a tree more than 20m from where the van can park, adds around 15%.
- Keeping the wood. Leaving the logs stacked for your stove, or the chippings for your borders, takes about £75 off.
- Survey triggers. Trees over 15m, touching or overhanging a building, near overhead cables, or leaning over a road or pavement are priced after a free visit. So is any job likely to come in above £1,200.
As an example, two medium conifers along a back fence would come to roughly £864–£1,296 before the stumps. Because that could pass £1,200, the specialist would normally want to see them first.
What the job involves
- Checks before the day. The specialist confirms whether the tree is protected, looks for nests and signs of bats, and agrees where the waste will go and whether you want the stump ground.
- Setting up. The work area is cordoned off. Fragile items such as pots and garden furniture are moved, and boards may go down over lawns or paving.
- Climbing and dismantling. A climber, harnessed and roped into the tree, removes the side branches first, then takes the main stem down in manageable sections. A groundworker controls each lowered piece.
- Dealing with the trunk. Once it's low enough to be safe, the remaining stem is felled or cut in rings down to a low stump.
- Processing the waste. Branches go through a chipper. Timber is cut into logs and either taken away or stacked for you.
- Stump and clear-up. If you've asked for it, the stump is ground out. The area is raked and blown clear.
A small or medium tree is usually a half-day or one-day job. Where there is clear space to drop the whole tree in one go, the job becomes tree felling instead, which is often quicker.
Tree specialists currently cover Sutton Coldfield, Solihull 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 tree removal
Can the stump be removed at the same time?
Yes. Grinding the stump at the same visit costs £70, £100 or £150 depending on size, which is cheaper than booking stump grinding separately later. Tell the specialist when you send your photos so they bring the grinder.
Will the tree surgeon need access to my neighbour's garden?
Sometimes. If branches overhang next door or the only safe place to lower sections is over the fence, the specialist will ask for access. It's worth speaking to your neighbour before the day. If they refuse, the work can often still be done, but it may take longer.
Is it safe to remove a tree close to the house?
It's routine for a qualified climber. The tree is taken down in small, controlled pieces on ropes, so nothing falls freely near the building. Trees touching or overhanging a roof are always priced after a survey so the method can be planned properly.
Could removing a tree affect my foundations?
On shrinkable clay soils, removing a large, thirsty tree close to a house can occasionally cause the ground to swell. If the tree is big and very near the building, ask the specialist whether a structural engineer's opinion is worth getting first.
Who is responsible if something gets damaged?
The tree surgeon. Your contract is with them, and we check that they hold public liability insurance before they join. Ask them to confirm the level of cover if you are concerned.
How soon can the work be done?
It depends on the specialist's diary and the time of year. Straightforward removals are often booked within a couple of weeks. In conservation areas, the six-week notice period has to run before work starts.