Tree Removal Cost Calculator

Most tree removals run $400-$1,200, with the national average around $700-$900. A small tree under 30 ft is often $150-$500, a medium 30-60 ft tree $400-$1,000, a large 60-80 ft tree $900-$1,800, and an 80 ft+ tree $1,500-$3,000+. Trunk thickness, the tree's condition, and how close it is to your house or power lines push the price up, while stump grinding and debris haul-away add separate fees. Emergency or storm-damage removals cost the most.

Because cost tracks the volume and weight of wood, not just how tall the tree is. Two 50 ft trees can price very differently if one has a 10-inch trunk and the other a 30-inch trunk — the thick one is heavier to lower, slower to section into pieces, and produces far more material to chip and haul. That's why our calculator asks for trunk diameter (DBH, measured about 4.5 feet up) alongside height: together they capture the real workload.

Usually not — and often the opposite. People assume a dead tree with no leaves is easier, but dead, diseased, or storm-damaged wood is brittle and unpredictable: limbs can snap without warning and the trunk can't be climbed or rigged safely. Crews work more slowly and carefully and add a risk premium, typically 20-50% over a healthy tree of the same size. A leaning or partially fallen tree is treated as hazardous and costs the most.

Yes, significantly. A tree in the open can be felled in a single controlled drop, but one overhanging your roof, fence, deck, or pool must be taken down piece by piece and each section roped down by hand — that careful dismantling can add about 30%. Trees touching or near power lines are more dangerous still (around +50%) and may require a utility crew or a specialized company. Tight access with no room for a truck or chipper adds more.

Almost never. A standard tree-removal quote covers felling the tree and cutting it down, leaving the stump at ground level. Grinding the stump below grade, or fully excavating the stump and root ball, is a separate add-on (often $100-$400+ depending on stump diameter). Hauling away the logs and brush, chipping, and final cleanup are also typically separate. Always confirm in writing whether the stump and debris are included or extra.

Sometimes. Many cities and HOAs regulate the removal of trees over a certain size, 'heritage' or protected species, or trees in front yards and on slopes — and removing one without a permit can mean fines or replanting requirements. Trees on the boundary with a neighbor, or in a utility easement, have extra rules. Check with your local arborist or building/planning department before scheduling. A reputable tree service will know the local requirements and can often handle the permit.

A properly licensed and insured tree service is — which is exactly why insurance is non-negotiable for tree work. Before hiring, verify the company carries general liability and workers' compensation, and ask for the certificate. If an uninsured crew drops a limb on your roof or a worker is injured on your property, you can be left holding the bill. Tree removal is one of the most dangerous trades, so never hire on price alone or pay cash to an unlicensed crew.

Removal isn't always the answer, and a good arborist will tell you so. Remove a tree when it's dead, structurally unsound, leaning toward a target, has major root or trunk decay, or is causing foundation or sewer damage. But a tree that's merely overgrown, lightly diseased, or dropping branches can often be saved with pruning, cabling/bracing, or treatment for far less than removal. Get an assessment from a certified arborist before committing to removal of an otherwise healthy tree.

Emergency removals — a tree down on a house, car, or across a driveway, or one left dangerously unstable after a storm — cost more than scheduled work, often 1.5-2x, because crews mobilize immediately, work in hazardous conditions, and may need a crane. If the tree hit an insured structure, your homeowner's policy may cover removal of the tree from the structure (check your coverage and document everything). For non-emergency removals, scheduling in advance is much cheaper.

It depends on what you arrange. By default the crew fells and cuts the tree, but hauling the logs and brush away is usually a separate charge. You can have everything chipped and removed, keep the trunk cut into firewood rounds (free wood if you'll split and season it), or have the chips left as mulch for your beds. Tell the company up front what you want — haul-away, firewood, or mulch — because it affects both the cleanup time and the price.