“How much will it cost?” is the first question almost everyone asks us, and it is a fair one. The honest answer is that no two tree jobs are the same. Two oaks of the same height can be completely different jobs if one stands in an open paddock in Stockbury and the other is leaning over a conservatory in Bearsted.
That is why we do not publish a price list. A price list can only ever be a guess, and guesses tend to change on the day. Instead, we look at every job properly first and give you a quote, not an estimate. This guide explains what goes into that price, so you know what to expect.
Why Tree Surgery Prices Vary So Much
Tree surgery is not like buying something off a shelf. The same job description, such as “remove one tree”, can mean an hour’s work or several days with a full team, rigging equipment and machinery. The price depends on the tree, where it is, what is around it and what you would like to happen to the waste afterwards.
What Affects the Cost of Tree Surgery?
The size and type of tree
Taller, wider trees take longer to dismantle and produce more timber and brash to clear. Some species are also trickier to work with. Sycamore, for example, can be brittle, and trees with deadwood, decay or disease such as
ash dieback need extra care and planning before anyone climbs them.
The type of work
Felling a tree, reducing its crown, removing deadwood and grinding out a stump are all very different jobs. Lighter work such as
crown reduction or thinning or
deadwood removal can sometimes solve a problem without the tree having to come down at all.
Access to the tree
A tree in an open front garden with a wide driveway is quicker to deal with than one at the bottom of a long back garden with only a side gate for access. If we cannot get our chipper or other machinery close, branches and timber have to be carried out by hand, which adds time to the job.
Buildings, fences and power lines nearby
If there is plenty of space, sections of a tree can sometimes be felled or dropped in larger pieces. Where a tree is close to a house, greenhouse, garage or neighbouring property, every section has to be cut and lowered carefully on ropes. This is known as rigging, and it is slower but far safer.
Trees growing near overhead power lines need even more planning. Depending on how close the lines are, we may need to coordinate with the network operator before work can start, which can affect timings and cost.
Tree Preservation Orders and conservation areas
If your tree has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or you live in a conservation area, permission or notice is needed before most work can go ahead. This does not always change the price of the work itself, but it does affect timescales. Parts of villages such as Bearsted, Hollingbourne and Detling fall within conservation areas, so it is always worth checking first. Our guide,
Do I Need Permission to Cut Down a Tree in Maidstone?, explains the rules in more detail.
We can help you with TPO applications and conservation area notices. There is a charge for this, which depends on how complex the application is, and we will explain it when we quote.
Waste removal and disposal
Every job produces green waste, from wood chip to logs and brash. Disposal can be a significant part of the cost for many tree surgeons. Taking the waste away is included in our quotes as standard. Because we have our own green waste site in Detling, we can process it ourselves rather than paying third-party tipping fees, which helps keep our prices competitive across the Maidstone area.
If you would like to save money, you can choose to have the waste left on site instead. Some customers like to keep the logs or wood chip for the garden. Just let us know when we quote, and we will price it that way.
Stump removal
Felling a tree usually leaves a stump. Some customers are happy to leave it, while others want it ground out so the area can be replanted, turfed or built on. Let us know what you would like, and your quote will make clear whether
stump grinding is included.
Emergency call-outs
Storm-damaged or fallen trees need a quick and safe response, often outside normal working hours, so emergency work is assessed differently from planned work. We offer emergency call-outs 24/7. Each call-out is priced on the job, and call-outs outside working hours cost more than those during the working day. If a tree has come down, our guide on
what to do when a tree falls explains how to keep everyone safe while you wait.
A Quote, Not an Estimate
An estimate is a rough guess that can go up once work starts. A quote is a price for the job. We always give a quote, because we assess everything first: the tree, the access, what is nearby, any permissions and what will happen to the waste. That way we get the right price first time, and you know exactly what you are paying before we start.
Every quote is free and comes with no obligation.
Can Regular Maintenance Save You Money?
In many cases, yes. Pruning a tree every few years is usually cheaper than dealing with a large, overgrown tree all at once, or paying for emergency work after a storm. We explain this in more detail in our post on
how regular tree maintenance in Bearsted can save you money.
Why the Cheapest Quote Is Not Always the Best
It can be tempting to go with the lowest price, but tree work is dangerous and mistakes are expensive. A very low quote can mean no insurance, no proper training, or waste that ends up fly-tipped, which can leave you responsible. Our team is NPTC and City & Guilds qualified and works to British Standard BS 3998. We carry £5 million public liability insurance and are a registered waste carrier. For a full checklist, read our guide on
how to choose a tree surgeon in Kent.
Get a Free Quote or a Video Quote
The quickest way to find out what your job will cost is to ask us. We offer free, no-obligation quotes across Maidstone and the surrounding villages, including
Detling,
Bearsted,
Hollingbourne,
Stockbury,
Bredgar and
Grove Green.
If it is easier, we can also quote by video. Send us a short video of the tree on WhatsApp, showing the whole tree, what is around it and how we would get to it. We will come back to you with a quote, or arrange a visit if we need a closer look.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove a tree in Kent?
It depends on the size and type of tree, access, what is nearby and what needs to happen to the waste. Because every job is different, we do not give guide prices. We assess each job and give you a free quote.
Do you give estimates or quotes?
Quotes. We assess everything first so we get the right price first time, and you know what you are paying before work starts.
Is stump grinding included in the price of tree removal?
Just let us know if you would like the stump ground out, and your quote will make clear whether it is included.
Do you charge for quotes?
No. Our quotes are free and with no obligation, and we also offer video quotes through WhatsApp.
Does waste removal cost extra?
No. Waste removal is included as standard, and having our own green waste site in Detling helps us keep disposal costs down. If you would like to save money, you can choose to have the waste left on site instead.
Do I need permission before tree work?
You may do if the tree has a TPO or is in a conservation area. Read our
permission guide or ask us to check for you. We can also help with the application, with a charge depending on how complex it is.
Contact Us Today
For an honest, no-obligation quote on tree removal, pruning, stump grinding or hedge work, get in touch with Maidstone Tree Surgeons.
📧 Email:
office@maidstonetreesurgeons.co.uk
☎ Office: 01622 925926
📱 WhatsApp: 07375 455138 (send us a video for a quick quote)
Contact us today to arrange your free quote. 
