How much does Tree removal cost?

Have a damaged tree, fallen tree, overgrown tree, or one that is an accident waiting to happen near power lines? These all reasons to call in an arborist, tree surgeon, or tree removal company. Removing or pruning very tall trees is not a DIY project for homeowners. A professional tree removal company with certified arborists on staff has the expertise and specialized equipment to do the job safely and efficiently. 

How much does it cost to remove a tree? This guide explains the cost of professional tree removal and debris hauling. Prices are based on real quotes provided to Yelp users by tree service companies, along with industry data. Learn more about how we calculate these costs in the methodology section at the end of the guide. 

The cost of tree removal is typically $750 per tree, according to Yelp data. However, that cost can range from $386–1,372 based on the tree’s size and species, as well as its accessibility. Tree professionals often charge by size, so removing a 30-foot tree will cost less than one that’s 60 feet tall. 

The cost of tree removal increases to $833 per tree (or a range of $390–1,445) if hauling away wood chips, logs, and other debris is included in the job quote. Most homeowners opt to have the debris professionally removed. Make sure hauling is included in the tree services estimate. If you want to keep the wood for firewood, or wood chips for mulch, ask for the non-hauling discount. 

The size, species, condition, and accessibility of trees all affect the cost of removal. 

The cost to remove a tree is generally priced by height. Small trees under 30 feet, for example, can range from $245–480 to remove, while trees towering 60–80 feet can cost 4 times that price. 

Different types of trees may require different methods of removal based on their weight, size, or hardness. Removing a dogwood tree, for example, can run $200 on the low end, while the least expensive maple tree typically costs $750 to remove. 

Hardwoods, such as oaks and maple trees, tend to be tougher to cut, and often have large canopies—the spread of overhead branches—resulting in more branches and limbs to run through the wood chipper. Palm trees have very extensive root systems that hold large quantities of water, making them extremely heavy and difficult to remove. 

“The type of tree can increase the price. We charge more for extremely thorny trees [such as locust and hawthorn trees],” says Howard Hansen, owner of Heartwood Tree Care in Gilbert, Arizona. “A thorny tree is more difficult to climb and when you cut it, the branches stick together, almost like Velcro. The Argentine mesquite tree has thorns that are 3 to 4 inches long. You can come out bleeding when working on a tree like that.”

The following are removal costs for the most commonly planted residential trees: 

Ash tree removal costs range from $650–1,690. Ash is a hardwood, so it’s more difficult to cut than softer woods like pine. Many ash trees have been damaged by the Emerald Ash Borer beetle, leaving the tree brittle, meaning the tree service company must take extra care when removing them. 

As a softwood, cedar is relatively easy to cut, but very tall specimens can make the job more difficult, accounting for the $450–2,100 price range. Cedar trees have above-ground growing points. If you kill what’s above ground, the root dies—unlike species like elms, whose buried roots can continue to produce shoots long after the tree is gone. 

Expect to pay $200–1,900 to have a pro remove a dogwood. Although they can reach a height of 60 feet, most dogwoods found in residential yards are relatively short with small-diameter trunks, making them easy to cut. They also have shallow root systems that are easy to remove.

Because of its interlocking grain and the fact that some trees can reach 80 feet in height, elms are difficult to remove, costing $500–3,100. Elms have a shallow root system that can spread further than the height of the tree, making removal a challenging job. Elm roots can sprout after the tree is gone. 

The cost range for fruit tree removal is $200–1,300. Most fruit trees are on the small side, making them relatively easy to remove. And if they have been well cared for, and pruned to allow maximum air flow to promote fruit production, the tree service will need to spend less time cutting up the branches and using the wood chipper.

As with other hardwoods, maple trees that range from $750–2,100 to remove have dense wood that takes time to cut through. Some trees can reach up to 100 feet, contributing to the time and effort needed for the job.

The cost of oak tree removal is $450–1,650. Oaks have all the characteristics of a tree that is difficult to cut: They can grow tall and wide, the wood takes time to cut through, and the roots run deep and can spread beyond the outer edge of the tree’s branches (the “drip line”). 

At $250–800, palms are among the least expensive trees to remove. The trees have relatively thin trunks and few branches, called fronds, that are located at the top of the tree, so it is easy to cut them all quickly. But they have heavy, water-laden roots that are difficult to remove.

Pine trees cost $325–2,100 to remove. The taller the tree, the more expensive. That’s especially true due to their branch structure. Pines have many more branches extending from the central trunk than hardwood trees. A climber has to work through the branches, making more pruning cuts than they would for other trees, and that leads to additional costs. 

There are several reasons for removing a tree. Most commonly, it’s diseased and needs to be removed for yard aesthetics or safety reasons. Or a tree has fallen during a storm and poses a risk to home, car, power lines, or people. 

Here are several common types of tree removal projects and their costs:

A fallen dead tree will cost an average $95–300 to remove. It’s generally less expensive to remove than a live, growing tree because the fallen tree is down at ground level and its wood is usually softer and lighter, allowing a small crew to cut it up quickly and remove it. However, a standing dead tree is more likely to break apart and become a safety hazard during the removal process, which can increase the price. A licensed arborist can assess how much a diseased tree will cost to remove.  

In general, removing a healthy downed tree that has fallen into the yard costs about half as much as cutting down and removing a tree. That’s because there’s no need to climb the tree. The cost depends on the size of the tree and the number of branches the arborists must remove. 

Emergency tree removal jobs typically cost between $1,000–$5,500. Storms can uproot entire trees or cause a large limb to break away from the trunk. These are often middle-of-the-night emergencies that most tree service companies aren’t equipped to handle, athough some companies advertise around-the-clock availability. 

Jobs involving power lines, or carefully removing a tree that has fallen on a house, are typically more expensive because they’re more dangerous and require a tree removal company to move slowly and carefully.

Stump removal typically costs $150–550 per stump, depending on the technique used by the tree service company. Digging up a stump using a backhoe is usually easiest, and costs $150–350. Stump grinding can cost up to $550 because it requires special equipment that can be dangerous to handle. The laborious process involves grinding up the wood and its root to wood chips. If there are multiple stumps to be removed, the landscaper may charge you full price for one stump and then $50–100 for each additional stump. 

Removing more than one tree costs an average of $550–6,500 per acre, depending on the number and condition of trees to be removed. If you have a large, densely wooded property, expect to pay up to $6,500+ per acre. Tree service companies that primarily handle residential work may not be equipped for this type of job, because it requires special equipment for clear cutting of the trees. 

The cost of moving a tree averages $200–600. These costs are for an average small or medium-sized tree that is moved to a location on the same property. For very large trees that require a crane, the price can go up significantly. 

Here are some issues that can increase tree removal costs.

In locations where a building permit is required for tree removal, expect to pay an additional $75–150. The tree service company you hire should be aware of the regulations and will obtain the permit for you. Your town or city may also also require an arborist’s report in order to get a permit, at a typical cost of $150–475 for a single tree.

If a tree is hard to reach or located near power lines, expect to pay up to 50% extra for removal work. Working on inaccessible trees with cranes and other special equipment drives up the overall cost. 

The cost to have a tree services company cut your fallen tree into fireplace-sized logs averages $65–110 per tree. This fee does not include log splitting or stacking the fireplace logs. 

Using a crane or bucket truck to remove a tree that could fall on your home or car can cost an additional $500+. 

Tree service companies may charge a travel fee averaging $0.50 per mile if they must drive more than 30 minutes from their office. 

Tree service companies do more than simply cut down trees. Depending on your home’s needs, you might also hire them for a variety of tree maintenance jobs. 

The following are some related tree tasks homeowners hire these pros to perform:

Most tree service companies also offer tree trimming and pruning, which can cost $262–773 for common-size trees (plus the cost of hauling away debris), according to Yelp data.  Like tree removal, tree trimming costs are based on size, type of tree, and accessibility. 

Cutting branches and limbs down to chips is a routine part of tree removal. If you cut down a tree yourself and want chips for mulch or to lay down on pathways, a tree service company can provide chipping services at a cost of $75–150 per hour. 

A certified arborist typically costs $75–260 per hour for diagnosing tree health, as well as providing advice on how to properly maintain the trees on your property. Most tree services companies will provide free estimates for tree removal, as well as pruning and trimming. 

Here are a few ways homeowners can reduce the cost of tree removal services.

If there’s more than one tree or multiple stumps to remove, ask about a discount for the entire job. Because the company’s crew and equipment is already on site, the price per component may drop. But keep in mind that the tree removal company’s estimate may already take into account multiple jobs on the property. 

Mid- to late spring through the summer are the busy seasons for tree removal companies, because homeowners want to get their yards in shape for the warm weather. The busy times mean the landscaping companies book up quickly and are able to charge their highest rates. Try to book in the late winter or very early spring for the best deals—some discounts can go up to 20%. Arborists aren’t as busy then and the trees won’t have leaves on them, making removal easier. 

Save money by cutting down small trees and clearing the brush before seeking an estimate. Also, remove clutter and objects like patio furniture, wind chimes, and bird feeders. “The tree workers are getting paid by the hour, if the stuff is out of the way, the tree crew won’t need to spend their time moving it,” says Heartwood Tree Care’s Howard Hansen.

Compare prices from 3 or 4 companies, and check their Yelp reviews. In addition to making sure the companies are properly insured and licensed, look for a company with certified staff. Organizations that certify arborists and other tree professionals include the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). 

If a fallen tree damages your house, its removal may be covered by insurance, so check your homeowner’s policy. Generally though, insurance companies won’t pay to remove a fallen tree that didn’t cause structural damage.

Cutting down a tree is dangerous work and should not be attempted by most homeowners, especially if the tree is diseased or located near a building. For tall trees, the job includes climbing into the tree to remove branches and wood chippers to grind up the tree. 

A tree service crew will have 2–5 people working on the project, more for larger trees where accessibility is a problem. Tree climbers and ground crews—those who do the physical tree removal work—generally make $20–30 per hour per person. Certified arborists, who are trained in the care of trees and are able to diagnose tree diseases—and who are typically hired to assess a tree problem, make a recommendation, and handle more complex jobs—charge up to $100–300 per hour for a consultation.

When pricing a tree removal job, a tree services company typically factors in tree size, type, and location. “If you have a small tree that’s difficult to access, it is going to cost more,” says Heartwood Tree Care’s Hansen. “A 30-foot tree in the front yard will cost less than the exact same tree in the backyard that’s difficult to get to.”

For straightforward jobs, a tree care professional will typically use a chainsaw to cut down the tree. For large trees, those in tight spaces, or where a falling tree can cause damage, crews first climb into the tree to remove large branches and limbs with a chainsaw before felling the tree. (A handy homeowner can also use manual tree saws or chainsaws to remove small trees. Just be sure to observe all safety precautions, including use of safety goggles, heavy duty work gloves, and leg protection).

The tree cutter who climbs trees is secured with a harness and other safety equipment. Crew members then use ropes to lower cut branches and limbs to the ground safely. The main tree trunk is cut next, although sometimes the tree trunk must be cut in sections for removal. Ground workers then feed branches and small limbs into wood chippers. 

Before hiring a tree removal specialist, ask these questions to learn about their background, experience, and qualifications for the job. The following information is often available on the pro’s Yelp Business Page:

Questions about the business 

Questions about tree removal costs

How much does it cost to remove a large tree?

A tree that’s 60–80 feet tall typically costs $1,000–2,100 to remove. The price will be higher if accessibility is a problem.

How do you calculate the cost of cutting down a tree?

The size of the tree and where it’s located on the property are the 2 biggest factors that determine cost. Removing a tree that’s not easily accessible can increase a bill by as much as 50%.

What time of year is cheapest for tree removal?

Many arborists offer their best rates in late winter and early spring. Tree service companies are the busiest in warm-weather months. In late winter, business is usually slow, so tree companies are eager for work. Also, with no leaves on the trees, removal is easier (and cheaper). 

Find a tree removal company in your area.

Cost data in this guide is based on project quote estimates provided to Yelp users by licensed professionals and businesses on Yelp (as well as analysis of industry data). Actual project costs may vary depending on location or complexity of the project. Cost data has been reviewed by our industry expert, Don Vandervort, a nationally known home improvement author. Don is the founder of the website HomeTips.com and has written or produced more than 30 home improvement books.