How much to cut down a tree?

[Ken Sington]

We have a dead tree that needs to be taken down. I'm guessing at about 40' high. I could have a go at it myself, but the potential for damage and disaster looms large. Anyone have any idea of what a tree surgeon would charge for this sort of job?

[mrtwisty]

A lot... My old man's next door neighbour (elderly widow mind you, so they may have just been taking the piss) paid 800 quid to have two ~35' leylandii taken down!

It really isn't that hard though. Coincidentally I've just taken down a fifty foot leylandii in my next door neighbours garden (didn't want to see her get fleeced) with just a decent bow saw. You have to be reasonably fit and it'll take you a weekend being careful, but certainly preferable to shelling out half a grand!

The only proviso here is that this approach only really works when you want to bring the whole thing down. For pollarding and re-shaping I would get someone in who know what they're doing. I'd probably end up killing a healthy tree!

[Muncher]

It can't be rocket science, it only requires a ladder, rope and a suitable saw.

Climb up it and slowly start lopping bits off it.

[Fas1975]

Had 5 dead trees taken down this week. They were about 40 foot, took them down to 15 foot. £80. Job done.

[Mermaid]

Ken Sington said:

We have a dead tree that needs to be taken down. I'm guessing at about 40' high. I could have a go at it myself, but the potential for damage and disaster looms large.

You are wise to let an expert deal with it. Tree surgeons charge about £400 to £500 per day - includes disposal.

[Wings]

After being charged £350 to reduce a Sycamore Tree,i went out and bought an electric chain saw at Aldi for £49.95. In 3 years i have either cut down or reduced over 30 trees. As another poster advised, taking one's time and being reasonable in the length, thickness of the branch/trunk being cut, together with the direction, lean of the "fall". Having a ladder, rope for tieing branches being cut, and removing car/s, people under the tree etc., limits risks, damages etc.

[treehack]

Just as a word of warning to all the get a saw and ladder and do it yourself brigade. I spoke to a guy I used to work for today, he has been in the buisness 25years,has a degree in arboriculture and runs his own succesful tree company. He fell 10' out of a tree 2 weeks ago and broke his back in 2 places. Had a nice ride in a helicopter to the hospital.
An operation later and 6 weeks flat on his back and when he does get up has to wear a spinal brace he should make a full recovery. This is someone who knows what he's doing not someone who wants to save a quid.

[illmonkey]

I'd soon rather pay a professional £500 than £200 on the gear and give it ago. My back/neck is worth more than it.

Or burn it.

[Wacky Racer]

[bigbubba]

It depends if you just want the tree felling or if you want stump removal also.