№01 · ADVICE · LEGAL
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
How to check, the council process, and what happens if you cut without consent.
Tree felling in the Potteries — taken down safely, with the right kit for the site.
Whole-tree removals in tight gardens, over outbuildings, on terraced streets. We match your job to a vetted local arborist who'll plan the take-down properly and handle any council paperwork before they start.
F elling a mature tree is rarely just a felling job in the Potteries. Most properties around Hanley, Burslem, Longton and Newcastle-under-Lyme are too tight for a clean drop, which means sectional dismantling from a climbing position or a MEWP, with each section roped and lowered. The contractor we match you to will assess the lean, the wind direction, the species' break-strength, what's beneath the canopy, and what the neighbour shares a fence with — before anything cuts.
If the tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order, or sits in one of Stoke-on-Trent's 22 Conservation Areas, you legally cannot fell it without consent. We check this for you up front and won't pass a job to a contractor unless they have the paperwork in hand. Cutting a TPO'd tree without permission can land you with a Magistrates' Court fine of up to £20,000, and serious cases go to the Crown Court.
We only send jobs to contractors who are NPTC-qualified, fully insured for public liability, and equipped for the work the site actually needs. Sectional dismantling on a back garden ash is a different ticket from a roadside lime that needs traffic management; we match the contractor to the job, not the other way round.
Common scenarios for tree felling & removal in the Potteries.
Mature ash tree with confirmed dieback making it unsafe to keep
Storm-damaged tree leaning over a garage or neighbour boundary
Self-seeded sycamore that has grown too close to a house foundation
Conifer hedge being removed entirely rather than reduced
Garden tree the surveyor or insurer has recommended removing for subsidence
Site visit & assessment
Free. The contractor walks the access route, checks for TPO/Conservation Area status, photographs the tree, and notes anything close to drop zones (sheds, fences, neighbour's roof).
Written quote & permissions
Itemised by labour, kit, waste removal and any council notice timing. If a §211 notice or TPO consent is needed, we'll factor the 6-week council window into the schedule.
The fell or dismantle
Sectional take-down from a climbing position or MEWP where access demands it. Each section roped and lowered. Adjacent gardens and the street kept clear throughout.
Cleanup & sign-off
All brash chipped on-site or removed to a licensed waste facility. Driveway swept, fences re-checked, walk-around with you before the contractor leaves.
Honest ranges for tree felling & removal.
From £250
Felling cost depends on tree size, access (climbing vs MEWP), waste removal and any TPO / Conservation Area paperwork.
SEE OUR FULL COST GUIDE →Do I need permission to fell a tree in my own garden in Stoke-on-Trent?
Often, yes. If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order, you need formal consent from Stoke-on-Trent City Council before any felling. If your property sits in a Conservation Area, you'll need to submit a Section 211 notice and give the council 6 weeks' notice. We check both for you before the contractor takes on the job. Cutting without consent risks a fine of up to £20,000.
How much does it cost to fell a tree in Stoke-on-Trent?
It depends on size, access and waste removal. A small garden tree (under 8m, easy access) typically starts around £250–£450. Mid-sized trees (8–15m, sectional take-down) usually run £500–£1,200. Mature street trees over 15m with MEWP access, council notification and traffic management can be £1,500 and up. The contractor's quote will be itemised so you can see exactly what's driving the figure.
Will you take the wood and brash away?
Yes — waste removal is included in the quote unless you tell us otherwise. Brash is chipped on-site where space allows, and timber is either left for you (some homeowners take it for firewood) or removed to a licensed disposal facility. The contractor will confirm what's happening to the waste before the work starts.
Can you do the work without my neighbours being affected?
We try to minimise disruption. If the canopy overhangs a neighbouring garden, the contractor will need to access it for the dismantle — they'll give your neighbour notice before any work, and you'll be copied in. Skip-permit applications, neighbour notifications and parking suspensions (if a MEWP is needed) are all handled by the contractor.
Is the contractor insured?
Every contractor in our network carries public liability insurance, has current NPTC chainsaw and aerial-rescue tickets, and is checked annually. You're welcome to ask the contractor for their certificate of insurance and qualifications before any work — they're used to the question.
Where this service is covered.
Before you book, read these.
Tell us about the tree.
Free, no-obligation quote for tree felling & removal from a vetted local contractor — usually within 24 hours.