"How much will this cost?" is the first question almost everyone asks. The honest answer is it depends on the tree, but there are clear patterns. Here's what drives the price, and some rough ranges to help you plan.
Rough price ranges
These are general ballparks for residential jobs, not quotes. Your price could be higher or lower depending on the details below.
| Tree size | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Small (under 30 ft) — dogwood, redbud, small pear | $200 – $600 |
| Medium (30–60 ft) — most maples, pines, pears | $600 – $1,500 |
| Large (60–80 ft) — mature oaks, poplars | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Very large or over a house (crane needed) | $3,000+ |
| Stump grinding (per stump) | $100 – $400 |
What makes a job cost more
- Where the tree is. This is the biggest factor. A tree in an open yard can often be dropped in one piece. The same tree leaning over your roof has to be climbed and lowered piece by piece — often double the work.
- Access. Can a bucket truck or grinder reach it? Backyards behind fences, steep hillsides, and tight lots mean more hand work.
- Tree condition. Dead trees — especially dead ash — are brittle and unsafe to climb, so crews may need a bucket truck or crane.
- Power lines. Trees tangled in lines take extra time and care.
- Cleanup. Hauling away all the wood and debris costs more than leaving logs behind.
- Emergencies. After a storm, trees resting on houses are complex, urgent jobs and priced that way.
Ways to save
- Bundle the work. Doing several trees, or trimming plus stump grinding, in one visit costs less than separate trips.
- Keep the wood. If you have a fireplace or fire pit, ask the crew to leave the logs cut to firewood length.
- Book in late winter. Crews are usually less busy between January and March than after spring storms.
- Don't wait until it falls. Removing a dead tree while it's standing is almost always cheaper than cleaning it off your roof.
How to compare estimates
Get the quote in writing, and make sure it says:
- Exactly which trees are being removed or trimmed
- Whether stump grinding is included
- Whether wood and debris are hauled away or left behind
- Proof of liability insurance (and workers' comp if they have employees)
Be careful with a price that's far lower than the others. It often means no insurance, or cleanup that isn't included. And never pay the full amount up front.