Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 11 September 2026
Leicester's mix of Victorian terraces in Clarendon Park, semis out towards Oadby and Wigston, and newer estates around Hamilton means gardens vary enormously, and so do the trees causing problems in them. A tall leylandii hedge overshadowing a small courtyard garden in Highfields needs different handling to a mature oak on a larger plot near Knighton or Evington. Clay soil across much of the city also means root systems can affect foundations and drains, so local knowledge of how trees behave on Leicester's ground really does matter. Many jobs here involve overhanging branches disputes between neighbours, storm damage after high winds off the Charnwood side of the county, or councils and conservation areas dictating what can and can't be touched.
The businesses featured on this page are drawn from public business listings, ranked by review rating and how many reviews they've built up, with a small boost given to those showing a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm tree surgery is genuinely what they do day to day, which stops general gardeners or landscapers who dabble in tree work from cluttering up the page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are stripped out automatically. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone further and passed our full 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 businesses without the badge, none of that has been independently checked by us, so it's worth doing that homework yourself before booking.
Before agreeing to any work, ask to see proof of public liability insurance and, if the tree surgeon is a member of a trade body such as the Arboricultural Association, ask for their membership number so you can check it. If a tree is in a conservation area or protected by a Tree Preservation Order, which covers a fair number of mature trees around Leicester's older suburbs, your contractor should know how to handle the council notification, not leave it to you. Get at least two or three written quotes, ask what happens to the arisings (do they clear and remove the wood, or leave it logged in your garden), and check whether the price includes stump grinding, because that's often quoted separately and can add a fair bit to the final bill.
How We Select & Rate The Best Tree Surgeons in Leicester
Ranking is based on review rating and review count pulled 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 what they primarily offer, which keeps unrelated trades off the page. Listings marked as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses displaying a Trust Verified badge have additionally passed our full verification, covering qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information; see our How We Verify page for full details. Other businesses listed have not been independently verified by us, and their inclusion 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 →
Calls to MMA Garden Services often start with an overgrown tree blocking light or overhanging a neighbour's fence, or a storm-damaged branch needing prompt attention. The Leicester firm handles felling, pruning and crown reduction work, along with general garden tidying once the tree work is done. With a 4.8 rating from 131 reviews, its approach to problem trees seems to reassure local clients.
A perfect 5-star average across 86 reviews sets Oakland Tree Services Ltd apart among Leicester's tree surgeons. The firm handles pruning, felling and crown reduction work for domestic and commercial clients across the city. Consistency of feedback at that volume suggests reliable standards rather than a one-off good run.
Tree surgery across Leicester covers felling, pruning and crown reduction work for domestic and commercial grounds. Abbott and Son Tree Care has built a record of 45 reviews averaging five stars, reflecting consistency in jobs carried out around the city. Enquiries can be made via their website for site visits and quotes.
A perfect 5 out of 5 across 36 reviews sets A Cut Above Tree Care apart among Leicester's tree surgeons. Based in the LE2 6UB area, the firm carries out pruning, felling and other tree surgery work for local gardens and grounds. That unbroken run of reviews suggests consistency rather than a one-off success.
Calls to Tree Surgeons JC often start with an overgrown garden tree blocking light or a branch hanging too close to a roof after storms. Based in Leicester, the firm deals with pruning, felling and crown reduction work for domestic gardens. Its 5-star rating from 14 reviews reflects consistent care in jobs that require both precision and clear communication with neighbours.
A call to Hill Garden Maintenance usually starts with an overgrown tree blocking light or branches leaning too close to a roof in Leicester. The firm assesses the growth, carries out pruning, felling or crown reduction, and clears the site afterwards. Eight reviews on Google have rated the work five stars.
Families across Leicester with overgrown gardens or storm-damaged trees turn to Branchwalker Tree Surgery for pruning, felling and general upkeep. Working around LE4, the firm handles jobs that need care near fences, sheds and neighbouring plots. Six reviews have left an average of 4.8, reflecting consistent attention to detail on smaller residential plots.
Most calls start with a stubborn stump left behind after a tree has come down, often blocking a new patio or lawn project in Leicester gardens. Stump Grinding Leicester deals with the grinding and root removal that follow, clearing the ground down to a level suitable for replanting or landscaping. Work is generally arranged once the felling is complete, as a separate follow-on job.
Landlords and letting agents managing rental properties around Leicester use Forestry Tree Care for pruning, felling and routine maintenance that keeps gardens compliant and tidy between tenancies. The firm operates from the LE3 9LB area and holds a 4.4 rating from nine reviews, reflecting steady, reliable work rather than one-off jobs.
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 or pruning a medium-sized tree, expect somewhere between £150 and £400. Felling a large tree can run from £300 up to £1,200 or more depending on size, access and whether it's near a house, shed or power line. Stump grinding is often priced separately, typically £80 to £250 per stump. Hedge trimming for a long garden boundary might be £100 to £250 for a day's work. Prices shift a lot based on access (a tight terrace garden in West End costs more to work in than an open plot near Glenfield), so get two or three quotes before deciding.
Do I need permission to cut down a tree in Leicester?
Possibly, yes. If the tree is covered by a Tree Preservation Order, or sits within a conservation area (there are several across the city, including parts of Clarendon Park and New Walk), you'll usually need to apply to Leicester City Council before any work goes ahead. A competent tree surgeon should check this for you and handle the application, but it's worth asking upfront rather than assuming it's sorted.
What's the difference between a tree surgeon and a gardener?
A tree surgeon specialises in tree-specific work such as felling, crown reduction, pollarding and dealing with diseased or storm-damaged trees, often working at height with climbing gear or a cherry picker. A general gardener typically handles lawns, borders and light hedge trimming. For anything involving a mature tree, ladder work above a few metres, or a tree near a building, it's worth using someone who does tree surgery as their main trade rather than a general gardening service.
Will a tree surgeon clear away the wood and waste?
Most will, but it's not always included as standard, so ask before you book. Some quotes include full clearance and removal of branches, logs and chippings, while others leave logged wood in your garden as firewood if you'd rather keep it. If you want everything taken away, confirm this in writing along with the price, since removal and disposal can add £50 to £150 depending on the volume of waste.
How quickly can a tree surgeon come out for storm damage or a dangerous tree?
For genuinely dangerous situations, such as a branch hanging over a driveway or a tree leaning after high winds, many local tree surgeons offer a same-day or next-day emergency callout, though this usually costs more than a scheduled job. For non-urgent work like routine pruning or hedge maintenance, booking a week or two ahead is more typical, especially in busier months when everyone wants their garden sorted at once.
How do I choose between tree surgeons in Leicester?
Start by checking recent reviews for patterns, not just the star rating, since comments about punctuality, tidiness after the job, and communication tell you more than a number alone. Ask to see evidence of public liability insurance and, where relevant, membership of a body like the Arboricultural Association or a City & Guilds qualification in arboriculture. Get written quotes from at least two or three firms covering the same scope of work, and ask directly whether they'll handle any council permissions needed for protected trees. If a business carries a Trust Verified badge on this page, that means we've checked those things already; if it doesn't, take the time to verify them yourself before signing anything.
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