Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 23 September 2026
Lincoln's mix of housing throws up plenty of tree work, from the mature gardens around Nettleham Road and the Avenues to newer estates near North Hykeham where boundary trees often overhang shared fences. The clay soil across much of the city means root systems can affect drives and drains more than you'd expect, and older properties near the Cathedral Quarter or Bailgate often have preservation orders on their trees, so a decent tree surgeon needs to know the local rules as well as how to use a chainsaw safely. Storm damage from exposed spots like the Lincoln Edge is another common call-out, and plenty of jobs here are about crown reduction rather than outright felling, simply because gardens tend to be smaller than the trees in them.
The businesses listed here are pulled from public business listings and ranked by their review rating and the number of reviews they've collected, with a modest boost given to those that have a working website and phone number listed. We check each business's homepage to confirm tree surgery is actually their main line of work, which stops general gardeners or landscapers who occasionally trim a hedge from cluttering up the page. Any listing flagged as permanently closed gets removed automatically. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone through our fuller verification process, covering trade qualifications, 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 checked by us, so it's worth doing that homework yourself before you book anyone.
Before hiring, ask to see proof of public liability insurance, ideally cover of at least £2 million, and check whether the work needs council sign-off if the tree is in a conservation area or covered by a Tree Preservation Order, which Lincoln's planning department can confirm for you. A reputable tree surgeon should hold a recognised qualification such as NPTC certificates for chainsaw use and be happy to talk through access issues, disposal of arisings, and whether they'll leave logs or take everything away. Get two or three written quotes rather than just one, since prices for the same job can vary by more than £100 depending on access, waste removal and how quickly they can fit you in.
How We Select & Rate The Best Tree Surgeons in Lincoln
Rankings are based on review rating and review count taken 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 genuinely their main trade, and we remove any listing flagged as permanently closed. Businesses marked Trust Verified have gone further, passing our full checks on 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 of checks. Other businesses on this page haven't been independently verified by us, and their inclusion isn't an endorsement. Always carry out your own checks before hiring anyone.
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 removal work across Lincoln and the surrounding Lincolnshire villages is the focus for Stumpbusters, rather than general tree surgery. The specialism suits gardens and land left with awkward roots after felling, with machinery brought to sites that larger tree firms might turn away. A 5 star average from 42 reviews reflects consistent results on this narrower job type.
Families across Lincoln with overgrown gardens or storm-damaged branches call on E.D.S Tree Services for pruning, felling and general tree maintenance. The firm holds a 4.6 rating from 28 reviews, reflecting consistent, careful work carried out around homes and shared boundaries. Its focus stays on safe, tidy jobs suited to residential plots rather than large-scale commercial contracts.
Tree surgery around Lincoln covers felling, pruning and crown reduction work for gardens and larger grounds alike. Arborglyph Tree Services has built a small but consistent following, reflected in a perfect five-star record from eight reviews. Work is arranged directly with clients rather than through call centres, keeping communication straightforward from quote to completion.
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 →
Is your business missing?
Get listed and reach customers actively searching for your services in this area.
Smaller jobs like pruning a single garden tree or reducing a hedge tend to run from around £80 to £200, while felling a medium tree with waste removal is often £250 to £600 depending on size and access. Larger trees needing a crane or specialist rigging, which does happen on tighter plots around the older parts of the city, can push costs past £1,000. Stump grinding is usually charged separately, typically £50 to £150 per stump. Getting two or three quotes is worth doing, since access and disposal costs vary a lot between companies.
Do I need permission to remove or prune a tree in Lincoln?
You might, particularly if the tree is in a conservation area such as parts of the Cathedral Quarter or covered by a Tree Preservation Order. Contact City of Lincoln Council's planning team to check before any work starts, as unauthorised felling on a protected tree can lead to a hefty fine. A good tree surgeon should ask about this themselves, but it's ultimately your responsibility as the homeowner to confirm it.
What qualifications should a tree surgeon have?
Look for NPTC or Lantra certificates covering chainsaw use, tree climbing and aerial rescue, since these show they've been trained to work safely at height. Membership of a body like the Arboricultural Association is a good sign too. Ask to see certificates rather than just taking their word for it, and check they're insured for the specific work, not just general gardening.
How long does tree removal or pruning usually take?
A straightforward pruning job on a single tree can be done in half a day. Felling a larger tree, especially one needing sectional dismantling due to nearby buildings or power lines, might take a full day or two. Stump grinding is usually quick, often an hour or two per stump. Weather can cause delays too, particularly during Lincolnshire's wetter spells when access for machinery gets trickier.
What happens to the wood and waste after the job?
Most tree surgeons will chip smaller branches on site and take everything away as part of the price, but it's worth confirming this before work starts, as some charge extra for waste removal. If you'd rather keep logs for a wood burner, just ask, most are happy to leave them stacked rather than hauling them off. Clarify this in the quote so there's no surprise charge on the day.
How do I choose between tree surgeons in Lincoln?
Start by checking recent reviews on public listings for mentions of punctuality, tidiness and whether the quoted price matched the final bill. Ask each company for proof of insurance and relevant chainsaw or climbing certificates, and don't be afraid to request references from recent local jobs. Get at least two quotes in writing, including whether waste removal is included, and check if a Trust Verified badge is showing, since that means the business has already been through a fuller background check on qualifications, insurance and trading history.
Related Guides
More independently researched rankings you might find useful
