Tree Removal Cost Calculator

Nationwide, the average cost to remove a single mature tree is approximately $750 to $850. Most residential tree removals fall within a typical range of $400 to $1,200. However, small ornamental trees under 30 feet can cost as little as $200 to $450, while massive 80-plus-foot hardwoods or severely hazardous trees near power lines and homes frequently range from $1,500 to $3,500 or more.

Height is the primary baseline pricing variable because it dictates crew time, rigging complexity, and the machinery required. Small trees under 30 feet generally cost $200 to $500; medium trees between 30 and 60 feet cost $500 to $1,500; large trees between 60 and 80 feet range from $850 to $2,000; and towering trees over 80 feet typically range from $1,200 to $2,500-plus depending on timber mass and drop zones.

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) directly determines total wood volume and weight. A 70-foot pine with an 18-inch trunk weighs dramatically less than an 70-foot wide-canopy white oak with a 36-inch trunk. Heavier wood requires more cuts, slower rigging cycles to prevent equipment overloads, larger chippers, and substantially higher commercial dumping and hauling fees.

Usually no. Most professional tree removal estimates cover felling the tree, bucking the trunk, chipping the brush, and cutting the remaining trunk flush to 2 to 6 inches above ground grade. Grinding the subterranean stump typically costs an additional $100 to $400 depending on diameter, depth (standard 4–6 inches vs. deep 8–12 inches), and root flare spread.

While dead wood is lighter, dead trees are structurally unpredictable and brittle. Arborists cannot safely ascend dead trees using climbing spurs and tie-in points because branches can snap without warning. Contractors must deploy specialized 75-to-100-foot aerial bucket trucks or 40-ton cranes to hoist climbers or mechanically lift pieces away, significantly increasing equipment and insurance overhead.

Trees located within 10 to 15 feet of residential structures typically add a 25% to 50% complexity surcharge. Instead of felling large limb sections freely into an open yard, arborists must meticulously rope and rig each piece using friction brakes (Port-a-Wraps), taglines, or crane slings to lower multi-hundred-pound logs straight down without impacting roofs, gutter lines, or patio pavers.

Under OSHA 1910.269 and ANSI Z133 safety mandates, only certified utility line-clearance arborists are legally allowed to work within 10 feet of high-voltage transmission lines. If a tree or branch is touching a primary utility wire, contact your local electric utility immediately; they will often dispatch a contracted crew to clear or fell the hazard away from their lines at no cost to the homeowner.

Standard homeowners insurance policies typically only pay for tree removal if the tree has fallen onto a covered structure (such as your house, garage, shed, or fence) as the result of a covered peril like windstorms, lightning, or heavy snow/ice. If a dead or living tree simply falls in an open lawn without damaging structures, or if you remove a standing tree preventatively, insurance generally does not cover the expense.

A tree that has already fallen in an open yard eliminates the most hazardous and time-consuming phases of tree work: aerial climbing, precision rigging, and felling. The crew only needs to buck the log into manageable pieces, feed brush through the wood chipper, and haul the material away. This typically reduces costs by 40% to 50% compared to removing an equivalent standing tree.

Never hire an uninsured tree service. Always verify: (1) Active Commercial General Liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000), (2) Workers' Compensation insurance specifically covering tree work at heights (not general landscaping), and (3) Credentials from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA Certified Arborist) or TCIA Accreditation. Always request the Certificate of Insurance (COI) sent directly from their insurance agency.