Tree surgery crew for homes and gardens
Fell, prune and clear trees for homeowners with a small crew, a van and a chipper.
- £10k-45k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
23,217 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 81300 “Landscape service activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small tree care business doing pruning, crown reduction, felling and stump or branch clearance in private gardens, usually with a climber and a groundworker.
Your first three steps
- Book recognised chainsaw and tree climbing training (such as NPTC or Lantra units) and get first aid training
- Price up a second-hand van, chipper, saws and PPE, and get insurance quotes before you buy
- Take on a few local jobs, photograph the finished work and ask for reviews on local groups and Google
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, letting agents, housing groups and small commercial sites such as pubs and offices.
How it makes money
Quoted price per job, based on size, access and waste removal. Extra income comes from logs, wood chip and regular return work.
Skills that help
- Chainsaw and climbing competence
- Safe working at height
- Quoting jobs accurately
- Customer service and reliability
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance with tree work cover, and employer's liability once you take on staff
- Check whether a tree has a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area before any work
- Nesting birds and bat roosts are protected, so check the rules before cutting
- Carrying away waste usually needs a waste carrier registration, check with the Environment Agency (or your local equivalent)
- Tree work is one of the riskier trades, so never cut corners on training and safety
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: tree surgery crew for homes and gardens
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a tree surgery business in the UK?
Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £45,000, depending on your van, chipper, climbing kit, saws and insurance. Treat these as estimates and get quotes for the equipment you actually need.
How much can a tree surgery crew earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on crew size, the mix of jobs you take and how many days you work. These are estimates, so build your own figures from your quotes.
What rules should I check before doing tree work?
Check whether a tree has a Tree Preservation Order or is in a conservation area. Nesting birds and bat roosts are protected, so check the rules first. Also check waste carrier registration and insurance, including employer's liability once you take on staff.
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Photo: 4379051 on Pixabay