Marge wrote:

"martin" wrote in message
...
How much should I be paying for a tree surgeon? I've got two very
large Poplar Trees - one I want felling, and one I want cut to at
least half its height.

I've got two quotes: £700+VAT, and £350+VAT.

Why such a difference? I dont want to pay over the odds..and i dont
want some cheap cowboy either.

I had about 12 leylandii felled, all about 20 feet high. Cost £150.
I suppose it depends on where you live (I'm in NW England), and
perhaps it depends on the tree being felled, but both your quotes
sound incredibly high.


How high are the poplars? Will they be "felled" or taken down piecemeal with
the upper sections being cut and lowered? Will ground below need to be
protected from falling chunks of tree?

Taking out/reducing something as big as I suspect your poplars are is a
major job for several guys.

I'm about to have a 40ft walnut tree crown lifted and thinned, the branches
will need to be lowered by ropes and pulleys to protect the garden areas and
fence below. (Suburban garden SW london) A year ago I was quoted £400plus
vat from a surgeon I use professionally and who get a lot of work form my
recommendations so the rate to me was "good".

Always difficult with only 2 quotes, try a third. I wouldn't be surprised to
see it somewhere in the middle. £350 sounds like it might be on the low
side, 700 a little on the high side.

Hope that helps.

pk