Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 23 September 2026
Bath's a city of steep gardens and mature trees, and that combination throws up plenty of work for a good tree surgeon. Think of the terraces climbing up towards Lansdown, or the leafy plots around Bathwick and Widcombe, where beech and lime trees have often been left to their own devices for decades. Add in the clay soil common across much of the city, which can shift with drying and wetting cycles and put pressure on root systems near foundations, and you've got a fair few reasons why local knowledge matters. Many properties also sit within conservation areas or have Tree Preservation Orders attached, particularly around the World Heritage Site boundary, so a surgeon who understands Bath and North East Somerset Council's planning rules will save you a headache before the first cut is made.
The businesses listed here are pulled from public business listings and ranked mainly by review rating and review count, with a small boost given to those with a working website and phone number, since that's a reasonable sign of an active, contactable operation. We also read through each business's homepage to check that tree surgery is genuinely their main line of work rather than a sideline, which keeps landscapers, general gardeners and fencing firms off a page meant specifically for tree surgeons. Any listing flagged as permanently closed gets removed automatically, so what you see should reflect who's actually trading.
Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone through our fuller verification, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information. Our How We Verify page sets out exactly what that involves. For any business without the badge, those checks haven't been done by us, so it's worth doing your own homework before booking. Ask to see proof of qualifications such as an NPTC or Lantra certificate, check they carry public liability insurance (ideally £5 million or more given the size of trees and proximity to houses in a lot of Bath gardens), and confirm in writing whether a Tree Preservation Order or conservation area consent applies before any work starts. Getting two or three written quotes is sensible too, since prices for the same job can vary more than people expect.
How We Select & Rate The Best Tree Surgeons in Bath
Rankings are driven mainly by review rating and review count from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses showing a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm tree surgery is their main trade, not a secondary service, which keeps unrelated businesses off this page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified have gone further, passing our full verification of trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information; see our How We Verify page for the complete list. Other businesses haven't been independently verified by us, and appearing here isn't an endorsement. Always do your own checks before hiring.
Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
Stump grinding and crown reduction form the core of West Country Tree Services Ltd's work across Bath and the surrounding area. The company carries out both domestic and commercial jobs, from single-tree removals to larger clearance projects. With a postcode spanning into SN12, the team covers a practical stretch of the West Country rather than limiting itself to one town.
From mature oaks to ornamental garden specimens, Neill Gretton carries out tree surgery and arboricultural work across Bath and the surrounding area. Rated 4.8 from 69 Google reviews, the practice covers the full range of tree services, with qualifications in arboriculture sitting alongside the practical side of the work.
Much of Green Way Tree Surgery's work in Bath involves mature gardens attached to period properties, where root systems and overhanging limbs need careful assessment before any cutting begins. Jobs typically include crown reduction and deadwood removal on established trees rather than new planting. Twelve reviews on Google have left the firm with a full five-star rating.
Landscaping work across Bath is the focus for Himalayan Landscaping Ltd, covering patios, planting schemes and garden groundworks for local properties. The firm takes on projects ranging from small border refreshes to full outdoor redesigns, working with the city's mix of period and modern homes. Enquiries can be made through the company's website for further details of current availability.
Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →
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For a straightforward crown reduction on a medium-sized garden tree, expect somewhere around £200 to £450. Full removal of a large tree, especially where access is tricky on a hillside plot in areas like Widcombe or Weston, can run from £600 up to £1,500 or more once stump grinding and waste disposal are added. Hedge trimming and smaller jobs often start from £80 to £150. Prices shift depending on tree size, access, whether a crane or rigging is needed, and how much waste needs carting away, so it's worth getting two or three quotes before deciding.
Do I need permission to remove or prune a tree in Bath?
Possibly, yes. Much of central Bath sits within a conservation area, and plenty of individual trees carry a Tree Preservation Order regardless of location. If either applies, you'll usually need to give Bath and North East Somerset Council six weeks' written notice before any work, even for routine pruning. A reputable tree surgeon should check this for you as standard, but it's your responsibility as the property owner, so confirm it's been done before work starts.
What qualifications should a tree surgeon in Bath have?
Look for NPTC or Lantra certificates covering chainsaw use, climbing and aerial rescue, since these are the recognised industry standard qualifications for anyone working at height with power tools. Membership of a body like the Arboricultural Association is a good extra sign of professionalism. Ask to see certificates directly rather than taking a website claim at face value, and don't be afraid to ask when they were last renewed.
How long does tree surgery work usually take?
A single tree crown lift or reduction might take half a day. Removing a large mature tree, particularly if it needs to be taken down in sections due to nearby fences, greenhouses or a neighbour's boundary, can take a full day or two. Stump grinding is often a separate visit since it needs different equipment. Ask for a time estimate upfront so you can plan around noise and access, especially if you're on a shared driveway or a narrow terraced street.
Will a tree surgeon deal with waste and stump removal?
Most will, but it's not always included as standard, so check what's quoted. Wood chippings and logs can sometimes be left with you if you want them for firewood or a log store, which occasionally knocks a bit off the price. Stump grinding is usually priced separately, often from £50 to £150 depending on stump diameter, since it needs specific machinery. Confirm before work starts whether removal and disposal is part of the quote or an add-on.
How do I choose between tree surgeons in Bath?
Start by checking recent reviews for patterns, not just the star rating, since comments about punctuality, tidiness and communication tell you more than a number alone. Ask to see proof of public liability insurance and relevant NPTC or Lantra qualifications before you book, and get this in writing rather than taking someone's word for it. Request a written quote that breaks down the work, waste removal and any TPO or council paperwork involved. Finally, get at least two or three quotes for anything beyond a small job, since pricing for similar work can vary noticeably between local firms.
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