EMERGENCY TREE
REMOVAL COST
During a storm or high winds, trees can be extremely vulnerable to falling. This can cause widespread damage, not just to life and property, but also to utilities like power lines. As such, if you see any that are looking precarious, you should get trees removed before they cause the damage – it will save you money in the long run. Tree removal costs vary greatly based on a number of factors:
Logistics
Location in the country
Size of tree
Type of wood
Because of this, quotes can range significantly. The guide below will be able to give you some ballpark figures and key questions to ask. However, all quotes will be tailored to your specific circumstances.
You should think about the cost as an investment. Ask yourself the question: how much will it cost if I don’t do this and the worst happens? You’ll soon realize that the cost is well worth it.
OVERALL
COSTS
In some cases, you can pay as little as $150, and in others, as much as $1,500, although in general, the price will be in the middle of this range. Generally, the rule of thumb price is between $8 and $15 per foot, with other factors shaping the price including the accessibility of the tree, as well as the overall complexity of the job.
Removing the entire stump of the tree will cost an additional $50 to $100 more than the cost of removal, although can be bundled together to be completed as part of the same process. You can use our tree removal cost calculator.
ADDITIONAL
COSTS
Many of these are optional, and it depends on the specific service you want. Be sure to get a couple of quotes for any service provided, as well as agreeing on a price in advance, so as to avoid any unwanted surprises.
LOGISTICS
Height Premium
Removing an especially tall tree will result in you incurring a ‘height premium’. This is because of the added difficulty of removing something so high, and the extra safety and logistic concerns this brings. If you are removing a tree that is over 80 feet tall, you will pay somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000.
Crane Use
In some cases, it may be necessary to use a crane to access the highest parts of the tree, as well as to aid with the removal of limbs. In this instance, the overall cost of the project will be $500-$1,000 more. This factors in the cost of getting the crane, as well as the additional cost of insurance (and a trained operator) that the tree cutting service will incur.
Generally, the cost of renting a crane is between $200 and $500 per day, plus a further $50 to $100 depending on the size and type of crane that is being operated.
Transplanting
In some cases, you may want to remove a tree without killing it. This is more a case of moving than removing, as it will require the tree to be kept alive and simply placed in a new location. This is a far trickier process than removing it because you won’t be able to cut the tree down to make it easier to move. As such, you can expect to pay somewhere between $300 and $800 for this service.
The key determining factor of price in this instance is the destination location. If you are moving a tree elsewhere on your own property, it will be a far easier prospect (and therefore a far lower price) than if you are moving it a great distance.
Dead Tree
If the tree has died, it can be slightly trickier to move (since the branches are prone to breaking), and it can also be easier to move (since the limbs may be lighter). As such, whether the tree is dead or not doesn’t tend to factor into the pricing. A tree cutting service will use the same prices as if the tree is alive.
LOCATION
There is a great deal of variation based on location throughout the United States.
This is due to a wide variety of factors, including the following:
1
Cost: Local cost of living.
2
Types: Types of trees commonly encountered.
3
Other companies: Competition between different tree cutting services.
4
Climate: The temperature and weather conditions in your area.
Due to this, where you are in the country plays a large role in the overall costs you’ll pay. Use the table below to determine your range for standard tree removal (i.e. with none of the additional extras listed above).
Average Price by City/State
| CITY | STATE | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville | North Carolina | $600 - $900 |
| Austin | Texas | $500 - $850 |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | $600 - $900 |
| Chicago | Illinois | $530 - $850 |
| Dallas | Texas | $350 - $600 |
| Denver | Colorado | $350 - $650 |
| Houston/Galveston | Texas | $500 - $700 |
| Las Vegas | Nevada | $300 - $500 |
| Los Angeles/Laguna | California | $650 - $1,000 |
| New York City | New York | $750 - $1,100 |
| Portland | Oregon | $500 - $750 |
| San Antonio | Texas | $600 - $1,000 |
| San Diego | California | $500 - $700 |
| San Francisco | California | $800 - $1,300 |
| San Jose | California | $600 - $900 |
| Seattle | Washington | $550 - $800 |
| Washington | District of Columbia | $250 - $700 |
HEIGHT OF TREE
The height of the tree is naturally a major factor influencing the overall cost of removal. This is not always on a linear scale because of the difficulties involved at certain heights. Below is an overview of the overall breakdown based on the height of the tree. Naturally, this is more of a rule of thumb than a concrete price list, because of the variances based on location, logistics, and so on.
Average Price by Tree Height
| Height in Feet | Removal Estimate | Price per Foot ($/foot) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | $200 - $300 | $10 - $15 |
| 30 | $240 - $450 | $8 - $15 |
| 40 | $420 - $700 | $10.5 - $17.5 |
| 50 | $500 - $1,000 | $10 - $20 |
| 60-80 | $800 - $1,500 | $13.3 - $18.75 |
| 80-100 | $1,000 - $2,000 | $12.5 - $20 |
For trees higher than 100 feet, you will need to get a custom quote, although you are looking at somewhere beyond $2,000 as it’s likely that you will need a lot of custom equipment. In addition, there are many safety concerns involved in larger trees because of the danger to workers, as well as the greater risk for property damage.
TREE TYPE
The type of tree is also a factor when it comes to cost. Different trees have different levels of difficulty when it comes to removal. This is because of the hardness of the wood, the way in which a tree grows (i.e. does it tend to have sprawling limbs?), as well as the areas of the country in which particular trees are common. The table below will show you a breakdown of the rough prices involved in removing different types of trees.
Average Price by Tree Type
| TREE TYPE | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|
| Pine | $200 - $1,500 |
| Palm | $200 - $1,500 |
| Oak | $200 - $2,000 |
| Maple | $250 - $2,000 |
| Ash | $250 - $1,800 |
| Cedar | $250 - $1,500 |
it’s tempting to think only of cost. However, that in itself is a false economy. Instead, you need to consider the service itself. For example, a company that doesn’t seem professional may not carry insurance, have the right equipment, or have trained staff. The potential risk of working with a service such as this is perhaps greater than not removing the tree.
