Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 10 October 2026
North Leeds is tree country. Roundhay, Moortown, Alwoodley, Adel and Headingley are full of mature oaks, beeches, limes and sycamores, many of them older than the Victorian and interwar semis they stand beside. Big gardens and leafy streets mean big trees close to houses, garages and boundary walls, and that shapes the work. Crown reductions, deadwood removal and dismantling a tree piece by piece over a conservatory are everyday jobs here. Heavy clay under much of the area also matters, because shrinkage and subsidence worries often come up when a large tree sits near a property.
The businesses on this page are drawn from third-party business listings and ranked by public review rating and review count, with a small lift for those showing a working website and phone number. We read each business's homepage to confirm tree surgeons work is what they primarily offer, which keeps unrelated trades off the page. Permanently closed listings are removed automatically. Where you see a Trust Verified badge, that business has additionally 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 has the full list. For anyone without that badge, we haven't independently verified them, so those checks are yours to do before you book.
Start by asking for proof of public liability insurance and check the cover level, since a tree coming down on a neighbour's car is a six-figure problem. Ask about relevant trade accreditation and whether the climbers hold chainsaw and aerial rescue certificates. Find out whether your tree is protected: many streets in Roundhay and Headingley fall within conservation areas, and a Tree Preservation Order means you need consent from Leeds City Council before any work starts. Get two or three written quotes that spell out exactly what will be cut, whether waste removal and stump grinding are included, and who deals with the paperwork. Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door offering same-day work.
How We Select & Rate The Best Tree Surgeons in North Leeds
Our ranking is driven by public review rating and review count from third-party business listings, with a small lift for businesses that have a working website and phone number. We read each business's homepage to confirm tree surgeons work is what they primarily offer. Permanently closed listings are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified have additionally passed our full verification, covering qualifications, insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information, and our How We Verify page lists every check. Other businesses on the page have not been independently verified by us, and inclusion is not 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 →
Oakwood Tree Services covers the full range of arboricultural work across Leeds, from tree felling and stump grinding to storm damage repair and hedge cutting. The company describes its scope as spanning removal, reshaping, and root clearance alongside crown reduction. Rated 4.9 from 192 Google reviews, it carries a strong local reputation across the LS8 area and beyond.
Mature gardens and older properties around Leeds make up much of the workload for Tree Doctors, where established trees often need crown reduction or careful removal near boundaries and buildings. Based in the LS8 area, the firm has built a client base reflected in a 5-star average from 38 reviews. Work extends to stump grinding and general tree maintenance for domestic plots.
Crown reduction and dead-wooding on mature garden trees form much of the workload for Tree Care Company, serving Leeds and the LS22 area. Storm damage assessments and stump grinding are also regular jobs, with 38 reviews on Google giving a full five-star average. Work is carried out with attention to nearby fences, sheds and borders.
Leeds gardens and grounds fall within reach of The Stump Squad, a tree surgery outfit focused on stump removal and grinding alongside general tree work. Thirty-seven reviews have left the firm with a perfect five-star average, reflecting consistency across the jobs it takes on.
Crown reduction and hedge maintenance form the core of Otley Gardening Company's work around Leeds, alongside felling and pruning for domestic gardens. The firm has built a 5-star record from 33 reviews, reflecting consistent care with tidy-up and disposal after larger jobs. Its remit covers both routine upkeep and more technical tree surgery.
A 4.3 rating from 34 reviews points to consistent standards at Bardsey Tree Services, which operates in Leeds handling felling, pruning and crown reduction work. The score reflects a reasonable spread of client feedback rather than a handful of glowing comments, suggesting steady, repeatable results across different jobs.
Crown reduction, stump grinding and emergency tree work are among the core services offered by Local Tree Care Limited, operating across Leeds. The company holds a five-star Google rating from its early reviews, suggesting consistent workmanship in the formative stages of the business. Enquiries can be directed through its website for site assessments and project quotations.
Tree surgery across Leeds covers felling, pruning and stump removal for domestic and commercial grounds. Roxton Tree Services works with gardens, hedgerows and boundary trees, fitting jobs around neighbours and access constraints common in residential streets. Enquiries can be made through the company website.
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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How much does a tree surgeons cost in North Leeds?
Most domestic jobs in North Leeds fall between £200 and £1,500. A light prune or small deadwood removal on a garden tree usually runs £200 to £400. A crown reduction on a mature oak or beech in Adel or Alwoodley is more likely £500 to £1,200. Taking down a large tree in a tight back garden, where it has to be dismantled in sections, can reach £1,500 or more. Stump grinding adds roughly £80 to £250 depending on diameter. Price depends on height, access, how much needs craning or roping down, and whether the waste is taken away. Getting two or three quotes is normal, so compare what each one actually includes.
Do I need permission before cutting down or pruning a tree in Leeds?
Often, yes. If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order, or sits in a conservation area (large parts of Roundhay, Headingley and Chapel Allerton qualify), you generally need consent or must give Leeds City Council notice before work begins. Cutting without it can lead to a heavy fine. Check with the council's tree officers first, or ask your tree surgeon whether they'll handle the application. A decent firm will raise it before you do.
What qualifications should a tree surgeon have?
Look for climbers and groundworkers holding recognised chainsaw and tree-climbing certificates, plus aerial rescue training. Ask the firm what relevant trade accreditation they hold and for copies of the certificates. Professional tree surgeons also understand tree biology, so they can explain why they're recommending a particular cut rather than just lopping branches. If they can't tell you which pruning cuts they'll make and why, think twice.
Will the tree surgeon take away the waste and grind the stump?
Don't assume either. Some quotes include removing all branches and chipping the lot, others leave logs or chippings on your lawn. Stump grinding is nearly always a separate line item, usually £80 to £250. Ask for it in writing, and say if you'd like to keep the logs for a wood burner or the chippings for borders.
Can a tree near my house cause subsidence?
It can, particularly on the shrinkable clay soils common across parts of North Leeds. Thirsty trees like oaks, poplars and willows pull moisture from the ground, and nearby foundations can move as a result. Signs include diagonal cracks above doors and windows. Speak to your home insurer or a structural engineer before removing a large tree, as taking it out suddenly can sometimes cause the ground to swell. A tree surgeon can advise on phased reductions.
How do I choose between tree surgeons and check they're genuine?
Ask for a copy of their public liability insurance certificate and check the cover amount and expiry date. Request proof of climbing and chainsaw certificates, then read recent online reviews and look for ones that mention specific jobs. Ask for a written quote showing the work, waste removal and any council consent needed. Check the business has a real postcode address and phone number, not just a mobile. Walk away from anyone who pressures you to start immediately or asks for full payment upfront.
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