Cost guide
How much does tree planting cost?
Two numbers make up every planting quote: the stock and the labour. Stock ranges from £15 for a bare root whip to £1,000 or more for a semi-mature specimen, and labour runs £20 to £40 an hour. Restricted access adds £50 to £100 where a tree has to be carried through a house or narrow gate.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your room.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Bare root stock, before planting | £15 to £60 |
| Container grown stock, before planting | £60 to £250 |
| Sapling planted, one to two metres | £150 to £250 |
| Garden tree planted, four to six metres | £300 to £600 |
| Semi-mature specimen planted, over six metres | £600 to £1,500 |
| Aftercare, per tree per year | £50 to £150 |
Planning conditions sometimes require replacement planting to a written specification, and a BS 5837 survey or report for that runs £260 to £460. Confirm whether any condition applies before choosing stock, because size and species are often fixed by it.
What moves the price
- Stock size. A 1.5 metre ornamental at £75 to £150 against a 6 metre specimen at £500 to £1,500.
- Root form. Bare root at £15 to £60 is far cheaper than the same species container grown at £60 to £250.
- Ground condition. Stone, rubble and old roots add £30 to £80 to the pit; land drains add £75 to £200.
- Protection. Stakes, ties, guards and mulch together come to £20 to £70 per tree.
- Aftercare. Watering and formative pruning contracts run £50 to £150 a year during establishment.
Who quotes for it
Questions about tree planting
Does a new tree need staking?
A single low stake fitted to the lower third of the stem holds the root plate still while allowing the trunk to flex and thicken. Stakes and ties should come off after two or three years, otherwise the tie cuts into the bark.
How much water does a young tree need?
Roughly 25 to 50 litres a week through dry spells for the first two growing seasons, delivered slowly at the root plate. A mulch ring 75mm deep and a metre across keeps grass off and holds moisture between waterings.