How much does tree removal cost on average?

The national average cost for tree removal is $750-$1,200, though this varies significantly by tree size, species, location, and accessibility. Small trees (under 30 ft) average $350, medium trees (30-60 ft) average $900, and large trees (60+ ft) average $2,200.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree?

Most cities with tree preservation ordinances require permits before removing trees above a certain diameter (typically 6-12 inches DBH). Fines for unpermitted removal can range from $500 to $10,000+.

When is the best time to remove a tree?

The ideal time for non-emergency tree removal is late winter to early spring when trees are dormant, the ground is firm, and there is less risk of disease spread. Fall is also suitable in most regions.

Tree Removal Costs by City

Compare tree removal costs across 100 suburban US cities. The national average is $750-$1,200, but costs vary significantly by region, tree size, and local market conditions. Focused on cities with 50K-300K population — where yards, mature trees, and HOA rules make tree removal a common need.

Small Tree (under 30 ft)

$350

National average

Large Tree (60+ ft)

$2,200

National average

Emergency Removal

$2,500

National average

Tree Removal Costs in 100 Suburban Cities

North Las VegasNV

$260-$3,75019 arborists

PlanoTX

$260-$2,09018 arboristsPermit req.

GilbertAZ

$310-$3,79012 arborists

Anchorage municipalityAK

$460-$3,27018 arborists

MadisonWI

$190-$1,70011 arborists

RenoNV

$590-$2,36016 arborists

ChandlerAZ

$310-$3,15014 arborists

St. LouisMO

$300-$2,95021 arborists

Chula VistaCA

$450-$2,38020 arboristsPermit req.

Fort WayneIN

$340-$1,75015 arborists

BuffaloNY

$550-$2,97020 arboristsPermit req.

LubbockTX

$390-$1,25013 arboristsPermit req.

LaredoTX

$380-$1,98021 arboristsPermit req.

Port St. LucieFL

$310-$2,16020 arboristsPermit req.

St. PetersburgFL

$240-$2,80013 arboristsPermit req.

ToledoOH

$380-$1,89020 arborists

GlendaleAZ

$420-$4,08020 arboristsPermit req.

Winston-SalemNC

$430-$2,51016 arboristsPermit req.

IrvingTX

$390-$2,22016 arboristsPermit req.

ChesapeakeVA

$380-$1,7409 arboristsPermit req.

GarlandTX

$220-$2,53020 arboristsPermit req.

ScottsdaleAZ

$580-$3,66015 arborists

BoiseID

$450-$4,53013 arboristsPermit req.

RichmondVA

$320-$2,54018 arboristsPermit req.

FriscoTX

$340-$2,06016 arboristsPermit req.

Cape CoralFL

$180-$1,8408 arboristsPermit req.

McKinneyTX

$200-$3,2409 arboristsPermit req.

HuntsvilleAL

$280-$2,06016 arborists

ArlingtonVA

$400-$1,4709 arboristsPermit req.

NorfolkVA

$330-$2,54018 arboristsPermit req.

HialeahFL

$170-$1,62013 arboristsPermit req.

SpokaneWA

$440-$3,7407 arboristsPermit req.

TacomaWA

$280-$2,16018 arboristsPermit req.

Santa ClaritaCA

$440-$1,77012 arboristsPermit req.

FremontCA

$300-$2,54011 arboristsPermit req.

San BernardinoCA

$280-$4,19018 arboristsPermit req.

FontanaCA

$590-$3,8107 arboristsPermit req.

ModestoCA

$300-$4,50014 arboristsPermit req.

Salt Lake CityUT

$390-$1,97010 arboristsPermit req.

Moreno ValleyCA

$330-$3,4209 arboristsPermit req.

WorcesterMA

$520-$3,4508 arboristsPermit req.

Sioux FallsSD

$490-$3,16016 arboristsPermit req.

YonkersNY

$250-$1,9708 arboristsPermit req.

Des MoinesIA

$350-$1,80017 arborists

Grand PrairieTX

$210-$2,62015 arboristsPermit req.

FayettevilleNC

$210-$1,71014 arboristsPermit req.

Little RockAR

$310-$1,90011 arborists

RochesterNY

$460-$2,4707 arboristsPermit req.

AmarilloTX

$310-$1,64013 arboristsPermit req.

TallahasseeFL

$220-$2,19016 arboristsPermit req.

Overland ParkKS

$210-$2,2206 arborists

ColumbusGA

$350-$2,48012 arboristsPermit req.

KnoxvilleTN

$280-$1,78016 arboristsPermit req.

Grand RapidsMI

$240-$1,84011 arborists

PeoriaAZ

$280-$2,14012 arborists

MobileAL

$200-$1,3107 arborists

VancouverWA

$490-$3,9108 arboristsPermit req.

OxnardCA

$480-$2,53011 arboristsPermit req.

BirminghamAL

$220-$1,49013 arborists

ProvidenceRI

$470-$2,36013 arborists

MontgomeryAL

$270-$2,30015 arboristsPermit req.

ChattanoogaTN

$190-$1,38011 arborists

BrownsvilleTX

$170-$2,37013 arboristsPermit req.

Huntington BeachCA

$260-$4,41012 arboristsPermit req.

TempeAZ

$520-$3,4008 arborists

AkronOH

$220-$2,7508 arboristsPermit req.

ClarksvilleTN

$420-$3,0706 arborists

Fort LauderdaleFL

$290-$2,53015 arboristsPermit req.

GlendaleCA

$440-$3,8806 arboristsPermit req.

OntarioCA

$280-$4,05012 arboristsPermit req.

Elk GroveCA

$550-$3,5808 arboristsPermit req.

CaryNC

$240-$2,18010 arboristsPermit req.

Newport NewsVA

$450-$2,7806 arboristsPermit req.

SalemOR

$640-$5,0809 arboristsPermit req.

AuroraIL

$410-$1,81014 arborists

Santa RosaCA

$460-$2,4206 arboristsPermit req.

EugeneOR

$620-$3,7807 arboristsPermit req.

Rancho CucamongaCA

$370-$2,5509 arboristsPermit req.

Pembroke PinesFL

$440-$1,59012 arboristsPermit req.

ShreveportLA

$260-$2,0507 arborists

SurpriseAZ

$510-$3,34012 arboristsPermit req.

Fort CollinsCO

$370-$4,65013 arboristsPermit req.

MurfreesboroTN

$400-$1,5708 arboristsPermit req.

OceansideCA

$320-$2,9107 arboristsPermit req.

Garden GroveCA

$590-$2,30013 arboristsPermit req.

LancasterCA

$270-$3,81010 arboristsPermit req.

SpringfieldMO

$330-$2,1406 arborists

DentonTX

$240-$1,25013 arboristsPermit req.

RosevilleCA

$540-$3,04011 arboristsPermit req.

KilleenTX

$390-$1,6708 arboristsPermit req.

PalmdaleCA

$380-$3,6307 arboristsPermit req.

PatersonNJ

$280-$2,3806 arboristsPermit req.

CoronaCA

$470-$2,2105 arboristsPermit req.

AlexandriaVA

$390-$2,7208 arboristsPermit req.

CharlestonSC

$310-$1,49010 arboristsPermit req.

SalinasCA

$410-$2,89010 arboristsPermit req.

Kansas CityKS

$390-$1,7208 arborists

Macon-Bibb CountyGA

$280-$2,7909 arboristsPermit req.

HaywardCA

$450-$2,18012 arboristsPermit req.

HollywoodFL

$420-$2,47012 arboristsPermit req.

What Affects Tree Removal Cost?

Tree removal pricing depends on several factors beyond just the tree's height. The biggest cost drivers are:

Tree size and species

Height, trunk diameter, and canopy spread. Hardwoods (oak, maple) cost more than softwoods (pine, spruce).

Location and access

Trees near structures, power lines, or fences require more careful (and expensive) rigging and crane work.

Condition

Dead, diseased, or storm-damaged trees can be unpredictable and may cost more due to safety precautions.

Region

West Coast and Northeast markets run 20-30% above the national average. Southern states tend to run 10-15% below.

Never DIY large trees

Tree removal is one of the most dangerous occupations in the US, with a fatality rate 25 times the national average. Trees over 20 feet tall should always be handled by certified arborists with proper equipment and insurance.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics / OSHA

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