If you have a tree that needs felling, the first question is almost always about price, and the honest answer is that it varies a lot. This guide breaks down what actually drives the cost, gives realistic ranges for the East Midlands, and explains how to get a fair quote.
For most domestic jobs in Derby and the surrounding Derbyshire area, removing a small tree such as a young rowan or fruit tree tends to fall somewhere around £300 to £600. A medium tree like an established silver birch or cherry usually lands between £600 and £1,200.
Large mature trees are where costs climb. A big oak, beech or sycamore near a house can run from £1,200 to £3,000 or more, particularly if it has to be dismantled in sections rather than felled in one piece. These are guide figures, not quotes, and the only way to know your number is an on-site visit.
No two trees are the same, and the quote reflects the real work and risk involved. The biggest factors are size and the space around the tree.
Felling a tree leaves a stump, and grinding it out is normally priced separately. Expect roughly £80 to £250 for stump grinding depending on diameter and how deep the roots sit, with larger or multiple stumps costing more.
Removing all the timber and woodchip off site adds to the bill too. Many homeowners keep the logs for firewood or ask for the chip to be left for mulch, which can trim the cost a little. Always check whether your quote is for felling only or includes the stump and full clearance.
Before any work starts, find out whether the tree is protected. Parts of Derby and many Derbyshire villages have Tree Preservation Orders or sit within conservation areas, and felling a protected tree without consent can mean a heavy fine.
A reputable tree surgeon will check this with Derby City Council or your local district council and submit the application on your behalf. This can add a few weeks to the timeline, so it is worth raising at the quote stage rather than the day work is due to begin.
Always get the price in writing after someone has actually seen the tree, and be wary of figures given over the phone from a photo alone. Ask whether the company carries public liability insurance and whether the team holds the relevant chainsaw and climbing tickets.
Getting two or three quotes is sensible, but the cheapest is not always the safest. Tree work is genuinely hazardous, and a price that looks too good often means corners on insurance, waste disposal or training.
Often yes, as many firms are quieter in late autumn and winter and trees without leaves are lighter and easier to dismantle. Booking outside the busy spring and summer period can sometimes secure a better rate.
Sometimes. If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area you must get council consent first, so it is always worth checking before any work is arranged.
Higher quotes usually reflect proper insurance, qualified climbers, safe sectional dismantling and full waste removal. A very low price can mean those costs have been cut, which raises the risk to your property and the people doing the work.
Got a tree job in mind? Tell us about it and we will get a free quote back to you, usually the same day.
Family-run arborists. Derby-based, working all across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.