Large trees, even landmark ones, sometimes have to be removed when they’re dead or dying. How much it costs to cut down a tree varies depending on where you live, the tree’s health and condition, height and diameter, accessibility, and other factors. But a typical homeowner can expect to pay $750 per tree on average, or $10–$14 a foot.
Ultimately, it’s better to spend the money upfront than risk a tree falling and causing injury or damage. Keep reading to find out what tree removal costs, all it entails, and the complications that may drive up your price.
Average Tree Removal Cost
Removing a tree can range from $385 to $1,070, according to LawnStarter.com , a site that matches consumers with landscapers. Small trees up to 30 feet or so cost $400–$500 on average. Medium trees, up to 60 feet, cost $500–$900. And large trees can cost $1,000–$2,000. Fallen trees are significantly cheaper to remove: just $85 to $300.
If you have multiple trees to remove, the cost can really add up. While many people throw it on a credit card, more and more homeowners are turning to fixed-rate personal loans to cover unexpected bills. SoFi personal loans are unsecured, meaning there’s no collateral required, and getting approved for a personal loan takes just one minute.
Cost of Tree Removal by Type
The type of tree you have can give you an indication of how much it’ll cost to cut down. That’s because of each variety’s predictable height and the hardness of its wood. Cost figures below are based on typical mature tree height.
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Small fruit tree | $450 |
| Palm | $725 |
| Oak | $775 |
| Pine | $925 |
| Maple | $1,150 |
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Factors That Affect Tree Removal Cost
The cost of tree removal typically includes cutting down the tree and cutting it into pieces. How complicated this is — how big, how old, how many limbs — affects the price. The cost of hauling away all these pieces may or may not be included in your cost.
To find the right contractor, you may want to call multiple tree removal services and compare quotes on the project. Make sure to ask what exactly their price includes and what extra services or fees may come up. By the way, tree trimming and pruning is a separate service from tree removal.
Some factors that can affect your tree removal quote are:
The Tree
Obviously, the tree itself is a major factor. Informing the arborist of the type and age of your tree, as noted above, will give them a good idea of its height and diameter and the number of branches.
The accessibility of the tree is also extremely important. A big tree on a small lot surrounded by buildings and power lines is a much more complex undertaking than a big tree in an open field.
Debris Removal
Homeowners have a few options when it comes to debris removal: hauling, chipping, or splitting. With hauling, the removal company should take the felled tree off-site. That cost may include hauling away only the bulk of the tree. If you need additional limbs and debris removed from your yard, you may have to pay more. You may also have to pay extra for tree trunk removal, depending on how big it is, though the company should cut it into smaller pieces.
Some companies can run debris through a chipper, so you can use it as mulch in your garden. It can actually be cheaper to have limbs chipped instead of hauling them away. Or, if you have a fireplace or wood stove, the company can split the logs so you can use them as firewood.
Stump Removal
Stump removal and stump grinding are not typically included in the tree removal price either. That means you may be left with the stump of the tree in your yard, unless you pay extra or negotiate the stump’s inclusion in the quote. Stump removal costs $60–$350, or around $2–$3 per inch of diameter.
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How to Determine If a Tree Should Be Removed
The biggest danger unhealthy trees pose is falling — onto people, homes, cars, or power lines. But even a healthy tree may need to be removed if it’s growing too close to a house or electrical wires. If you’re considering putting your home on the market, removing a threatening tree can give potential buyers (and their home inspectors) one less thing to worry about.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, these are the telltale signs you might have to remove a tree:
• Dead or dying branches
• Signs of infection (discolored leaves or bark; visible pests or fungus)
• Root defects
• Rotted or hollow trunk
• Trunk that’s leaning or appears unstable
Generally, the first step is to hire an arborist to give you an opinion on your tree’s health. Some conditions may be unsightly but not necessarily damaging to the tree. And many cities require an arborist’s evaluation before you’re allowed to remove a tree.
How Much Does DIY Tree Removal Cost?
DIY tree removal is an option in some cases, but it can be difficult and even dangerous. If you don’t have all the needed skills and tools, then you shouldn’t try to remove a tree yourself. Cutting down even a small fruit tree may cost a homeowner $425, while a pro might charge $150–$385.
If you do try to do it yourself, consider the costs below:
| Safety glasses | $13 |
| Work gloves | $14 |
| Felling wedges | $24/pack of 6 |
| Hard hat | $28 |
| Hearing protection | $25 |
| Chainsaw chaps | $71 |
| Steel toe work boots | $100 |
| Chainsaw | $150 |
| Total | $425 |
The Takeaway
Homeowners can expect to pay $750 per tree on average, or $10–$14 a foot. Your price will vary depending on the size and condition of the tree, its accessibility, and what you want to do with the debris and stump. The first step is to hire an arborist to evaluate your tree and make an informed recommendation about how to manage any risk. Whatever you do, attempting DIY tree removal is usually a bad idea.
SoFi offers personal loans with no origination or prepayment fees, and competitive fixed interest rates. If you are facing a major landscaping expense and cash is tight, you can check personal loan interest rates now to see what you qualify for.
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