Tree Removal Cost Calculator

How this estimate is built

Every quote starts from the height of the tree, then moves with four things: how dense the wood is, how wide the crown spreads, how hard the tree is to reach, and what shape it is in. A dead trunk is not cheaper because there are no leaves — it is more expensive, because brittle wood breaks in ways a climber cannot predict.

The last adjustment is where you live. We scale labor using the mean hourly wage for tree trimmers and pruners published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for your state. Labor is roughly 55 percent of a job, so a state paying well above the national mean raises the price, but not by the full difference.

Those wages have risen every year for a decade —45% since 2015 — which is why a price you were quoted a few years ago is no longer a useful reference.

Read the full method, including every multiplier we apply. Wage data last updated 2026-07-31.

Common questions

How much does it cost to remove a tree?

Most removals land between $400 and $1,800. A small ornamental under 30 feet runs $200 to $500. A mature oak or pine over 80 feet, especially one leaning over a roof, can pass $3,000. Height, wood density and how hard the tree is to reach account for most of the spread.

Why is my quote higher than the average?

Averages ignore the two things that move the price most: access and risk. A 60-foot pine in an open field is a morning of work. The same pine behind a fence, over a garage and next to a service drop needs rigging, and sometimes a crane. That is a different job at a different price.

Is it cheaper to remove a tree in winter?

Usually, yes. Crews are slower between December and February, and a leafless dormant tree is lighter and easier to rig. Expect 15 to 25 percent off on work that can wait. Emergency work after a storm is the opposite: you pay a premium for a same-day crew.

Does the price include the stump?

Almost never. Stump grinding is quoted separately, usually around $3 per inch of diameter with a minimum near $100. Ask whether the quote includes grinding, hauling the logs and chipping the brush, because those three add-ons are where quotes most often differ.

How many quotes should I get?

Three. Tree work is priced by judgment, not by a rate card, and spreads of 40 percent between crews on the same tree are common. Check that each one carries liability insurance and workers compensation before you compare numbers.