How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in 2026?
That big oak in the backyard was charming when you bought the house. Now it leans toward the roof, drops branches on the driveway every storm, and the roots are lifting the patio. The tree has to go — and the first thing you want to know is what it will cost.
Most homeowners pay between $400 and $1,200 to remove a tree, with the national average around $750. Small trees can cost as little as $200; a huge, dying tree hanging over your house can cost $3,000 or more. The price depends on the tree's height and trunk size, how close it is to your house and power lines, and whether you want the stump ground out too.
All prices below were checked on Nov 3, 2026, from HomeAdvisor, Angi, This Old House, and tree-service cost guides. Prices are US national averages; local rates vary with the cost of labour and the tree species common in your area.
The Quick Answer
A typical tree removal costs $400 to $1,200, and the average job lands around $750. That covers cutting the tree down, hauling the wood away, and cleaning up the branches. It does not usually include stump grinding, which is a separate service costing $100 to $400.
Size and access move the price most. A 25-foot tree in an open yard is a quick job; a 90-foot tree leaning over a roof, with a fence blocking the truck, is slow and careful — sometimes two or three times the price of the same tree in an open field.
Tree Removal Cost by Size
Height is the main price driver, because taller trees take more time, more crew, and more equipment. Trunk diameter matters too: a thick hardwood trunk is heavier and slower to cut than a thin pine of the same height.
| Tree height | Typical cost | Trunk diameter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30 ft (small) | $200–$500 | Under 12 in | Often one crew member, half a day |
| 30–60 ft (medium) | $500–$1,000 | 12–24 in | The most common residential job |
| 60–80 ft (large) | $1,000–$1,500 | 24–36 in | Needs a bucket truck or climber |
| 80 ft and up (very large) | $1,500–$3,000 | 36 in and up | Often needs a crane; multi-day job |
Species matters too. Softwoods like pine and fir are lighter and faster to cut, so they cost less. Dense hardwoods like oak, maple, and walnut are heavier and harder to cut, costing 10–20% more. A dead tree also costs more: dead wood is brittle and unpredictable, so crews work more slowly around it.
What Else Affects the Price
Size sets the base price, but the situation around the tree can add hundreds of dollars — or take them off.
- Location and access: a tree in an open front yard with truck access is cheapest. A tree in a fenced backyard, on a slope, or behind a narrow gate costs more because the crew carries everything by hand.
- Proximity to structures: a tree leaning over your roof, a neighbour's fence, or power lines needs careful rigging — lowering each branch on ropes instead of letting it drop. That can add $200 to $500.
- Health of the tree: a healthy tree is predictable. A dead, hollow, or storm-damaged tree can split without warning, so crews charge more for the risk.
- Emergency work: a tree that fell on your house in a storm is an emergency call. Expect $500 to $2,000 or more, and a premium of 25–50% over the normal rate for same-day service.
- Cleanup and hauling: most quotes include hauling the wood and chipping the branches. If you keep the firewood or the logs, some companies knock $50 to $150 off the price.
- Permits: many cities require a permit to remove a tree, especially a large or protected one. Permits cost $25 to $200, and fines for removing a protected tree without one can run into thousands of dollars.
- Stump grinding: removing the stump costs $100 to $400 extra, depending on the stump's diameter and how deep you want it ground. Full stump removal — digging out the root ball — costs $300 to $600 and leaves a hole to fill.
Worked Example: A 60-Foot Oak Near the House
The Johnsons have a 60-foot red oak in their backyard, 15 feet from the house. The tree is healthy, but a large limb hangs over the roof and the roots are cracking the driveway. A local tree service quoted them this:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tree removal, 60 ft oak (climber + ground crew) | $850 |
| Rigging to lower branches over the roof | $150 |
| Hauling and chipping | Included |
| Stump grinding, 30 in diameter | $200 |
| City tree-removal permit | $75 |
| Total | $1,275 |
They got a second quote for $1,450 and a third for $1,100 — the third crew planned to use a bucket truck from the driveway instead of a climber. They went with the middle quote because it included a written guarantee to repair any damage to the lawn and fence. The job took one day, and the stump grinding left wood chips they used as mulch.
Who Pays? Tree Removal and Your Neighbours
Tree costs turn into disputes surprisingly often, so it helps to know the basic rules before you call a crew.
- Your tree, your yard: you pay. If the tree is entirely on your property, the removal is your cost, even if the branches hang over a neighbour's fence.
- A tree on the property line: in most states, both owners share the cost, and you need your neighbour's agreement before removing it. Get it in writing.
- A neighbour's tree damaging your property: if a healthy tree falls in a storm, it is usually treated as an act of God — your insurance pays for your damage, not your neighbour. But if the tree was visibly dead or diseased and your neighbour knew, they may be liable.
- Insurance: homeowners insurance usually covers tree removal only when the tree damages a covered structure (your house, garage, fence) or blocks a driveway. Removing a healthy tree you simply do not want is not covered.
- Power lines: if a tree is touching or threatening power lines, call your utility company first. Many utilities trim or remove such trees for free.
How to Keep the Cost Down
- Get three written quotes. Prices for the same tree can differ by hundreds of dollars. Make sure each quote lists removal, hauling, cleanup, and stump grinding separately.
- Bundle the work. If you have two or three trees to remove, book them together. Crews charge less per tree when the truck and chipper are already on site.
- Schedule in winter. Tree services are slowest in late autumn and winter (outside storm season), and some offer 10–20% discounts for off-season work. Frozen ground also means less lawn damage.
- Keep the wood. If you burn firewood or know someone who does, ask the crew to leave the logs cut to length. It can save $50 to $150 in hauling fees.
- Skip the stump if you can. If the stump is out of the way, let it rot naturally or cover it with soil and grass seed. Grinding is the easiest line item to cut.
- Check the company's credentials. A legitimate tree service carries liability insurance and workers' compensation, and the crew leader should be ISA-certified. The cheapest quote from an uninsured crew is not a bargain — it is a liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove a tree in 2026?
Most tree removals cost $400 to $1,200, with the average around $750. Small trees under 30 feet cost $200–$500, while very large trees over 80 feet cost $1,500–$3,000.
Does tree removal include the stump?
Usually not. Cutting the tree down and hauling it away is one job; grinding the stump is a separate service costing $100 to $400. Always ask whether stump grinding is in the quote.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
It depends on your city. Many require a permit for large trees or protected species, costing $25 to $200. Check with your local planning office first — removing a protected tree without a permit can mean a heavy fine.
Can I remove a tree myself?
A small tree in an open yard, under 20 feet, is a realistic DIY job with a chainsaw and a helper. Anything taller, near a house, or near power lines is not. Tree work is one of the most dangerous home jobs — professionals have the rigging, the insurance, and the training.
How long does tree removal take?
A small tree takes 2–4 hours. A medium tree takes most of a day. A very large tree, or one that needs a crane, can take two days. Stump grinding adds 30–60 minutes per stump.
Prices checked Nov 3, 2026. Sources: HomeAdvisor and Angi tree removal cost guides; This Old House; International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) guidance on hiring tree services. Difficulty assessment is based on a fresh Nov 3, 2026 SERP check only (top results: three small/niche sites — stumpandlimb.com, joinbreasy.com, rapideyeinspections.com; no Angi, HomeAdvisor or This Old House in the top 3) and is not backlink-verified.