We hear this question a lot — and we get it. On the face of it, paying several hundred pounds (or more) to prune or remove a tree can feel like a big chunk of money, especially when you’re only seeing a few hours’ work.

So why does tree surgery cost what it does?

At Woodfelder Tree Care, we believe in being open and honest. So here’s a breakdown of what goes into the price — and what you’re actually paying for when you hire a professional tree surgeon in Manchester.

The Real Costs Behind Tree Work

1. Skilled Labour and Training

Tree surgery isn’t just a bit of garden maintenance — it’s a highly skilled, safety-critical job. Our climbers and grounds team go through years of training, pass rigorous industry qualifications (like NPTC), and complete regular refreshers to stay sharp and safe.

It’s not a job you can just pick up over a weekend, it takes years of learning and experience.

2. Equipment and Machinery

Chainsaws, climbing kits, rigging gear, chipper, stump grinder, vehicles, LOLER testing, servicing, replacements — it all adds up fast. A single chainsaw can cost over a thousand pounds. A decent chipper? Well into the five figures. And it needs maintaining, fuelling, and insuring.

When you hire a professional tree service in Manchester, you’re hiring a mobile team with a serious amount of gear on board.

3. Insurance and Compliance

We carry public liability and employers’ liability insurance into the millions — because tree work carries risk, and we won’t cut corners. There’s also RAMS (risk assessments and method statements), rescue plans, site-specific paperwork, and increasingly, compliance with things like CHAS accreditation.

It’s what responsible businesses do — but it’s part of the cost.

4. Waste Handling and Disposal Time

Every branch, log and leaf we cut has to be processed and removed — and that takes time. While we don’t pay for green waste disposal, it still adds 1–2 hours to most jobs, whether we’re taking the material to registered green waste sites like Cheshire Green Waste, or delivering woodchip and logs to local allotments and community projects.

It’s all part of doing the job properly and sustainably — but it’s rarely factored in when people think about the cost of tree work.

5. Access and Risk

No two trees — or jobs — are the same. One job might be a quick prune over a patio. Another might involve rigging down a big Ash tree over a greenhouse, with no vehicle access. Or climbing in wind and rain with pedestrians passing underneath.

Jobs that look simple often need far more planning, care, and time than you’d think.

What You’re Really Paying For

When you hire a professional tree surgeon in Manchester — especially one like us — you’re not just paying for someone to turn up with a chainsaw.

You’re paying for:

✅ A trained, qualified team

✅ Proper risk assessments and safety procedures

✅ Fully insured and accredited work

✅ Polite, punctual, well-organised service

✅ Clean, tidy and careful site work

✅ Specialist equipment to do the job right

✅ Reliable customer communication

✅ Respect for your garden, neighbours and property

We turn up when we say we will. We don’t leave a mess. And we do things properly — every time.

Still Wondering What It Will Cost?

We’re always happy to give clear, no-obligation tree removal or pruning quotes in Manchester, and we’ll explain exactly what’s involved. No pressure, no nonsense — just expert advice and fair, transparent pricing.

Whether it’s tree pruning in Manchester, a large dismantle, or a quick hedge reduction, we’ll give you a clear breakdown and honest recommendations.