Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 11 September 2026
Brighton's a tricky spot for tree work. You've got the chalky soil of the Downs pressing right up against Victorian terraces in Hanover and Clifton Hill, gardens that back onto steep banks in Woodingdean, and a fair few protected trees dotted through conservation areas like Preston Park and the Sussex Square estate. Add in the seagulls, the exposed coastal winds off the Marina, and the narrow terraced streets where getting a chipper truck down the road is a challenge in itself, and it's clear why local knowledge matters more here than in most towns. A tree surgeon who knows which streets fall under a Tree Preservation Order, or how the council handles conservation area notifications, will save you a lot of hassle compared to someone working from out of town.
The businesses listed here were pulled from public business listings and ranked mainly on review rating and review count, with a small boost given to those with a working website and phone number. We also read through each business's homepage to check that tree surgery, not general gardening or landscaping, is what they actually do day to day. That's what keeps unrelated trades off this page. Any listing flagged as permanently closed gets removed automatically. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that particular business has gone through our fuller checks, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company details. Our How We Verify page sets out exactly what that involves. For businesses without the badge, none of that has been independently confirmed by us, so it's worth doing your own homework before booking.
Before agreeing to any work, ask to see proof of public liability insurance and, if the job involves a protected tree, check whether the tree surgeon has already applied for or received council consent. Reputable firms will hold a qualification such as NPTC or Lantra certification for chainsaw use and climbing, so ask to see it rather than just taking their word for it. Get at least two or three written quotes, ideally with a site visit rather than a phone estimate, since access, waste removal and the height of the tree all affect price. Check whether the quote includes stump removal and waste clearance, as these are often charged separately, and ask what happens to the wood and chippings afterwards.
How We Select & Rate The Best Tree Surgeons in Brighton
Rankings are driven primarily by review rating and review count taken from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses that show a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm tree surgery is their main line of work, which keeps unrelated trades off the page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified have additionally passed our fuller verification, covering trade qualifications, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information; see our How We Verify page for the full list. Other businesses shown here haven't been independently verified by us, and appearing on the page isn't an endorsement. Always carry out 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 →
Tree surgery and garden maintenance across Brighton is the focus of Tree & Garden Services Ltd, covering pruning, felling and general upkeep for domestic plots. Sixty-two Google reviews have left the firm with a full five-star average, a consistency that speaks to reliable scheduling and tidy site clearance once work is finished.
Crown reduction and deadwood removal on mature garden trees make up much of Green Timber's workload across Brighton. The firm also handles hedge reduction and stump grinding for domestic clients, working to current arboricultural guidelines. Reviews from 36 customers average a full five stars, reflecting consistent care around fences, sheds and neighbouring plots.
Families across Brighton call on Zion Tree Care for pruning, felling and general upkeep of gardens that back onto shared boundaries or overhanging neighbours' plots. The BN1 6DE firm has built a local reputation reflected in a 5-star average from 33 reviews. Work is carried out with attention to safety around houses, sheds and children's play areas.
A call to Arbor Cura often starts with an overgrown garden tree blocking light or a storm-damaged limb overhanging a fence in Brighton. The firm assesses the crown, agrees the work needed, and clears the site once cutting is done. Reviews from 23 customers, all five stars, point to tidy work and clear communication throughout.
Crown reduction and deadwooding on mature garden trees form much of the workload for Emerald Elm Tree Surgery, based in Brighton. The firm also handles hedge trimming and stump removal for residential clients across the city. Its Google rating stands at 5 from 18 reviews, reflecting consistent feedback on tidiness and care taken around neighbouring properties.
Tree surgery and garden maintenance are covered by Carden Tree & Garden Care across Brighton, taking on pruning, felling and general upkeep work for local gardens. Six reviews on Google have all returned a full five stars, a small but consistent record for a business operating in and around BN1.
Tree surgery across Brighton covers felling, pruning and crown reduction work, with an approach that factors in local wildlife and woodland management alongside routine maintenance. Ecological Tree Surgeons handles both domestic gardens and larger grounds, applying methods suited to the South Downs setting. Enquiries can be made through the company's website for site visits and quotes.
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 job, like crown reduction on a medium garden tree, you're typically looking at £250 to £500. Felling a large tree can run from £500 up to £1,500 or more depending on access and whether it needs to be dismantled in sections because of overhead cables or a tight garden. Stump grinding usually adds another £80 to £200 per stump. Prices climb where a crane or extra rigging is needed, common in the tighter streets around Kemptown or the North Laine. It's normal to get two or three quotes, since costs can vary quite a bit between firms for the same job.
Do I need permission to cut down a tree in Brighton?
Possibly, yes. Brighton & Hove has a good number of Tree Preservation Orders in place, plus large parts of the city sit within conservation areas, including bits of Hanover, Clifton Hill and the Sussex Square area. If your tree is protected or in a conservation area, you'll usually need to notify the council or apply for consent before any work goes ahead, even for pruning. A local tree surgeon should be able to check this for you, but it's worth ringing the council's planning department yourself to confirm before work starts, since the responsibility ultimately sits with the tree owner.
What's the difference between a tree surgeon and a gardener for this kind of work?
A tree surgeon has training in climbing, rigging and using chainsaws safely at height, typically backed by an NPTC or Lantra qualification. Gardeners might handle light hedge trimming or small shrub pruning, but felling a tree, crown lifting, or removing large deadwood needs someone properly trained and insured for the risk involved. If a job involves climbing or a chainsaw above shoulder height, it's a tree surgeon's job, not a general gardening one.
Will a tree surgeon clear away the wood and waste?
Most will, but it's not always included as standard, so ask upfront. Some firms leave logs behind if you want them for firewood, which can actually save you money on the quote. Chippings are sometimes left for garden mulch on request too. If you want everything cleared and taken away, say so when getting your quote, as removal and disposal can add £50 to £150 depending on how much material there is.
How quickly can I get a tree surgeon out in Brighton?
For routine pruning or felling, expect a wait of one to three weeks during busier periods, particularly late autumn when people are getting gardens ready for winter. If a tree has come down or is posing an immediate risk after a storm, most local firms offer some form of emergency callout, often within 24 to 48 hours, though this usually comes at a higher rate than a scheduled job.
How do I choose between tree surgeons on this page?
Start by checking whether the business is Trust Verified. If it is, that means we've confirmed their qualifications, insurance, trading history and company details, which takes some of the legwork off your hands. If it isn't badged, do your own checks: ask to see a copy of their public liability insurance, request proof of NPTC or Lantra chainsaw and climbing certification, and check recent customer reviews for mentions of tidiness, timekeeping and whether the quoted price held up. It's also worth asking for photos of previous work in Brighton gardens similar to yours, and always get the quote and any TPO or conservation area consent confirmed in writing before work begins.
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