What Is the Average Cost of Tree Removal? (2024)

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The national average tree removal cost is around $1,100 but can range from $200 on the low end to $2,000 on the high end. Tree removal is a nearly inevitable fact of homeownership. Unfortunately, storms and age can damage trees on your property, making them a danger to you and your family. A tree removal service will cut down and dispose of unwanted trees in your yard.

Prices for these services vary widely across the United States. Some trees are more challenging to remove, either due to the hardness of the wood, the tree’s size, or both. Additional factors, including your location and the type of tree you’re removing, can also affect this figure. Learn more about what determines average tree removal costs.

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

The national average cost of tree removal is around $1,100, though removing a small or fallen tree can cost as little as $200. On the high end of the spectrum, removing a single tree can cost as much as $2,000.*

Tree removal companies typically measure the height of the tree before assigning pricing. Smaller trees may start at $8 per foot, while larger trees can cost $15 or more per foot.* Most removal companies consider a tree that’s 30 feet tall or shorter to be a small tree and one that’s 60 feet tall or higher to be a tall tree. Anything between those two heights is considered a medium-sized tree.

Oak trees can grow 100 feet tall and be particularly expensive to remove. For example, the average height of a mature white oak is between 50 feet and 80 feet. This type of large tree removal could cost between $750 and $1,200, given a cost of $15 per foot.

*Cost information sourced from Angi.

Average Tree Removal Price by Size of the Tree

The following chart outlines typical pricing for common trees based on their average mature heights.

*Source: Arbor Day Foundation

Your tree removal company will likely charge you extra if the tree’s trunk diameter is particularly wide or if the tree has more than one trunk. This requires more planning, specific tools, and special training to remove.

Factors That Affect Tree Removal Costs

The following are significant cost factors to discuss with any tree removal company.

Emergency Tree Removal

Emergency tree removal services have additional considerations that make the jobs more dangerous and expensive than stump removal. A tree that has fallen somewhere inopportune—in a high-traffic area, near a power line, or atop your roof, for example—must be removed immediately.

Depending on the height of the tree, a tree removal company may use ropes and pulleys to access the top of the tree, increasing both the degree of difficulty and danger involved in the task. In some cases, tree removal companies may even need to use a crane, which comes at an additional cost.

Emergency tree removal services can cost between $2,500 and $4,000 for most large trees.

If you need emergency tree removal for safety purposes, check with your homeowners insurance company to see if it’ll help defray the cost. Be aware that insurance may not cover costs unless the tree has damaged your home.

Fallen Tree Removal

If a tree has already fallen—for example, after a rough storm—the tree removal company is saved the expense and risk of felling it. Nearly all the danger of tree removal is neutralized once the tree is on the ground, which means that your tree removal company need only put the debris into a wood chipper.

The typical price for fallen tree removal begins at less than $100 and can cost up to $600.

Location

The price you’re likely to pay for tree removal will vary depending on the state you live in and its local landscaping regulations. Many cities and counties have a Tree Protection Ordinance, a list of tree removal laws.

In some areas, certain trees are considered “heritage trees,” which you’re not allowed to cut down. Familiarize yourself with the tree species you have on your property before booking a tree removal company to better understand your options.

Additionally, the layout and terrain of your property can influence the cost of tree removal. Extra fees will apply if the tree is on a steep incline, in a hard-to-reach area, or amongst other obstacles for tree-cutting professionals (boulders, hills, gullies, etc.).

Lastly, how remote your property is affects the cost. Some removal companies charge a flat travel fee of $50–$200 or a per-mile fee of $0.50 if your property is beyond their typical service area.

Accessibility

The tree’s location and positioning also affects its removal cost. For safety reasons, foliage or other debris around the tree will need clearing before technicians can begin removal. This will increase the overall cost. The more factors that affect how long removal takes will inevitably boost the price

Tree Condition

The condition of the tree can also affect the average price of removal. Dead trees are often hollowed out and lighter—and therefore cheaper to remove—than healthy trees.

Sometimes, sick trees can be cheaper to remove because they’re weaker and their bark is softer. Other times, they can be more expensive because their positioning can make it harder to remove them without infecting other trees.

To determine whether a diseased or dead tree will be more expensive to remove than a healthy tree of the same type, you can make an appointment with an arborist.

Tree Type

Some trees are softer, so chainsaws will cut through them more easily. Here’s a look at the average cost to remove some hardwood and softwood trees:

Average Tree Removal Price by Tree Species

*Source: REthority

**Refer to section below on palm trees

Maple Trees

Hardwood maple trees can reach heights of more than 100 feet, which increases the difficulty and cost of removing them. Removing a maple tree may cost between $1,000 to $2,000.

Palm Trees

Palm trees, whether 30 feet or 100 feet tall, are neither hardwood nor softwood. Instead, their cellular structure is more akin to grass, making them easier and cheaper to remove. The national average cost of removing a palm tree is between $200 and $900.

Pine Trees

Pine trees have taproots that go deep into the ground and develop secondary roots laterally. These present a unique challenge for tree removal services, which usually require a certified arborist to handle the removal.

A pine tree’s taproot size can be estimated based on the tree height, but it won’t be confirmed until it’s pulled out of the ground. This is a costly process; the price for pine removal is between $250 and $1,500, with older, larger trees costing more.

Poplar Trees

One of the most expensive trees to have removed is the poplar tree. Removing just one starts at $1,500, regardless of where you live. This is because they frequently reach more than 100 feet tall and have widespread and stubborn root systems.

Additional Tree Services

In addition to tree removal, arborists and tree professionals often offer additional services to help clean up your property and keep your lawn healthy and lush. The following are some additional services your tree removal company might offer:

Chipping

You can transform a discarded tree stump into mulch or wood chips for other gardening purposes. The tree company may include stump grinding in its stump removal costs, but it can further diminish the size of the pieces by putting them through a woodchipper. Tree companies charge from $100 to $500 for chipping per tree.

Debris Removal

Tree removal companies are usually only contractually obligated to remove the tree. Though rare, some companies don’t include tree stump removal in their contracts. Even if they remove the stump and the root system, there is often debris left over that you may not expect, such as rogue branches, twigs, and leaves. However, you can usually book excess debris removal directly through your tree removal service for a small additional charge.

Log Splitting

Consider repurposing your fallen tree into firewood if you have a fireplace in your home. For about $75 to $100 per tree, you can get the tree company to cut and split the tree into fireplace logs.

Transplanting

Transplanting is a technique that involves carefully supporting the tree, then removing and encapsulating its root system without damaging it. so it can be replanted elsewhere. Cost will vary based on the tree size, difficulty of removal, and distance you want the tree transplanted. A shorter tree with a 9-foot trunk diameter or smaller may only cost a couple hundred dollars to transport. An older tree that’s grown to a trunk diameter of 40 feet that you want transported 100 miles away could cost $10,000 or more (according to Angi.com).

Tree Trimming

There are plenty of reasons that you could need your resident trees trimmed rather than entirely removed. Tree removal and tree care companies have chainsaws with extensions and cherry pickers to help them perform this tree maintenance. If you have beloved trees with branches that are getting in the way (touching your home, in your driveway, pushing against power lines, etc.), it’s best to call the professionals for a trimming rather than removal.

Removing Multiple Trees

If you have a more dense area you want cleared out, you can hire a company to clear multiple trees from your property at once. In this case, you may be able to pay by acreage. A lightly wooded area typically costs between $500–$2,500 per acre, though prices vary by location and project complexity. A more densely wooded area could raise the price to $3,000–$6,000 per acre.

Tree Pruning

Tree trimming is different from pruning in that it’s more geared toward reshaping a tree, often because it’s extending over a house or power line. The goal of tree pruning is more strategic and focused on identifying a tree’s sick or weak parts and removing them to restore the tree’s health. Pruning generally costs between $400–$800 per tree, though this varies based on your location, the tree height, and work needed.

DIY vs. Professional Tree Removal

While you can accomplish many household and garden tasks independently, felling a tree isn’t typically one of them. Felling a tree is dangerous, even for tree service professionals with years of experience. If done improperly, you risk severe injury or death to yourself, your family, or your neighbors. Even if you don’t seriously injure anyone, an errant tree could cause thousands of dollars in property damage you will be liable for.

We recommend calling professionals when you need to take down or remove a tree. They possess the equipment, permits, insurance, and training that comes with jobs as intense as cutting down and removing large trees.

If the tree is easily accessible and you have the skills to do the job safely, you may be able to remove a small tree (under 10 feet tall) yourself. In addition to safety gear, you’ll need the following equipment:

• Shovel ($15–$45): You’ll need a durable digging shovel to break up the ground and unearth the roots.
• Chainsaw ($150–$500): For trunks that are too thick to cut with an ax, you’ll need a chainsaw to cut down the tree if you don’t intend to dig it out by the roots. You’ll also use a chainsaw to cut up the tree if you plan to use the wood or dispose of it.
• Axe ($20–$70): Use an ax to cut thin trees or remove skinny branches.
• Wedge ($5–$15): A felling wedge helps guide the direction the tree falls.

There are other items used in more complex tree removal jobs, but we don’t recommend attempting these advanced projects on your own. Things such as wood chippers are highly dangerous, and if a tree is tall enough to need a pole saw, it’s too large to cut down on your own.

When Can I Remove a Tree Myself?

We recommend leaving tree removal to professionals that have the proper equipment and training to remove and maintain trees safely. Attempting to remove a large tree or one that’s near power lines is not only unsafe, it could result in fines or even lawsuits.

If you have a small, lightweight tree and are skilled in working with the necessary equipment, you may be able to remove a tree. Be sure to follow safety precautions and check local ordinances on tree removal to make sure you’re not violating regulations. If you decide to remove a tree yourself, keep the following in mind:

• Wear proper safety equipment, including goggles, gloves, sturdy work boots, a hard hat, and hearing protection.
• Determine if you need a permit to remove the tree.
• Know that you’ll be liable if you, someone else, or property is harmed.
• Remove trees when leaves are dormant for better visibility.
• Understand that the larger the tree, the greater the risk.

How To Remove a Tree

Again, tree removal can be dangerous, so we recommend hiring a professional. You can also consult with an arborist for guidance on safely removing certain trees. If you must remove a tree on your own, follow these steps:

• Water the ground around the tree the day before so it will be softer to dig through.
• Put on proper safety gear, as outlined above.
• Have a spotter to help watch how the tree is leaning while you work and to stand by for any potential emergencies.
• Dig around the tree’s roots, which likely extend out as far as the tree’s canopy. Measure how many inches around your tree trunk is. For every inch, plan to dig six inches deep to get to the root system’s bottom.
• Keep an eye on how the tree leans. Your spotter should warn you if it looks like it’s going to fall in your direction. Your spotter should stand far enough away to not be harmed if the tree falls.
• Wiggle the root ball out using a shovel for leverage. Use your hand to push the tree away from yourself, others, and damageable property.
• Load the tree if you plan to transplant it, or you can cut it with a chainsaw if you want to dispose of it or use the wood. Continue to wear protective gear for this step.

Our Recommendation

Felling a tree is risky and requires specialized training to accomplish safely. We recommend sticking with professional tree removal servicesover tackling the job on your own. Prices range from $100 to $2,000, depending on the size, health, and type of tree and the difficulty of accessing or removing it, but it’s worth every penny for the peace of mind.