Tree Felling: What Homeowners Need to Know in Glasgow
Understanding what Tree Felling Means to Residential Customers.
Picture this: You wake up after a storm to find half of your favourite garden tree sprawled across the driveway. Or maybe your neighbour’s massive oak is leaning a little too close to your roof. What do you do? Who do you call? And—most importantly—are you even allowed to chop it down?
Tree felling in Glasgow isn’t as simple as grabbing a chainsaw and going wild. There are rules, risks, and rogue traders to watch out for. I’ve seen homeowners get slapped with fines for cutting down the wrong tree, and others stuck with half-finished jobs by dodgy tree surgeons which I needed to remedy. Let’s break it all down so you don’t end up in a mess.
When Can You Fell a Tree? (And When Can’t You?)
First things first—just because a tree is on your property doesn’t mean you can remove it whenever you want. Glasgow has conservation areas and Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) that protect certain trees. If yours falls under one of these, you’ll need council permission before touching it.
Last year, a homeowner in the West End made the mistake of cutting down an old beech tree without checking. Turns out, it was protected. The council fined him £5,000. Ouch.
So, how do you know if your tree is protected?
- Check Glasgow City Council’s online map for TPOs.
- If you’re in a conservation area, you must give 6 weeks’ notice before any work.
- If there are bats or nesting birds? Stop right there. Disturbing them is illegal.
Hiring a Tree Surgeon: Don’t Get Scammed
Not all tree surgeons are equal. Some are brilliant. Others? Well, let’s just say I’ve seen Facebook ads for “cheap tree removal” that ended with half-cut trees and a vanished “professional.”
Here’s how to avoid:
✔ Check credentials – Look for Arboricultural Association (AA) certification, Scotland’s Rural College Certifications or Scottish Forestry approval.
✔ Get multiple quotes – If one seems suspiciously cheap, it probably is.
✔ Ask for insurance – If they drop a branch on your house, you want to know they’re covered.
We often here of residents in Glasgow hiring someone, having their money taken upfront, leaving a huge mess, and never coming back to finish. A felled tree in a conservation area in Glasgow could cost up to £5000.00 in fines, and there still will need to be a clean up afterwards.
Emergency Tree Felling: Storms, Leaning Trees, and Panic Calls
Glasgow’s weather loves throwing curveballs. High winds can turn a stable tree into a hazard overnight. If you’re facing an emergency tree removal situation (like a tree about to crush your car), you can usually skip the red tape—safety comes first.
But be careful: some companies hike prices after storms. I spoke to a tree surgeon who said he’s seen desperate homeowners charged double for emergency callouts. If a tree isn’t an immediate danger, it’s worth waiting for a fair quote.
What About Replanting after Tree Removal?
If you’re removing a healthy tree just because you don’t like it, think twice. Glasgow is trying to boost its green cover, and many tree surgeons now offer replanting schemes. We are a business which is environmentally concerned with replacing what is removed. Some even give discounts if you plant a new tree elsewhere in your garden.
A family in Newlands took down a huge, problematic sycamore but replaced it with two smaller cherry trees. Now they get blossoms in spring—and no more leaf-blocked gutters.
Final Advice on Tree Felling: Don’t Wing It
Trees are a big deal in Glasgow. Whether it’s legal issues, unlicensed traders, or just figuring out the best way to handle a risky removal, a little research goes a long way.
No time to read? Here’s a summary:
✅ Check for TPOs and conservation rules before cutting.
✅ Hire qualified, insured tree surgeons.
✅ If it’s an emergency, act fast—but watch for price gouging.
✅ Consider replanting to keep Glasgow green. (We are part of a scheme to rewild the Scottish Highlands as part of our work)
Got a tree story (or disaster) of your own? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear how you handled it!
For a quick discussion, call us, we’d love to steer you right.