Home Improvement

How Much it Cost to Cut Down a Tree

Cost to Remove a Tree

There are a few different methods you can use to remove a tree that will vary in cost depending on a few factors. You must think about where the tree is located and its height and weight. Once you can answer those questions about the tree you need removed, you can choose what method of tree removal to use. The two main methods of professional tree removal are using a crane or rigging. Rigging involves having a professional climb to the top of the tree and work from top to bottom, cutting branches down as they go. Very large trees, especially close to building, will need to be removed by a crane and then chopped up at a separate location.

Factors of Cost

Without narrowing down the tree removal situation, there is a very wide price range of what it’s going to cost you. For small trees, tree removal starts at as little as $250 but for very large trees and difficult locations, you are looking at as much as $15,000 for just one tree!

To narrow it down a bit, the typical cost for removing a tree at a residence will range from $600 up to usually no more than $3,500.

• In the tree world, 25 feet and under would be considered a small tree so you would be looking at around $100-$400 to get that removed.
• A tree 25 feet tall up to as high as 75 feet will average from $500 up to $1,200.
• 100 feet or taller can range from $1,200-$1,600.

Any time the tree is in a location that makes it difficult to access such as surrounding power lines, uneven land, or houses, increase all of those prices by 25%-50%.

What’s Included?

Most of the labor that you would expect that’s involved with cutting down and removing a tree will all be included. More specifically, these tasks include cutting the tree down to the stump and hauling away the tree along with cleaning any mess that was created. Many times they will use a wood chopper right on sight to cut down the entire tree right there, making it easier to move away.

Additional Costs

Most of the time, removing the actual tree stump is not included in the price of the tree removal. You will want to remove the tree stump versus letting it stay. This is because a tree stump can rot and possibly attract termites. The last thing you want is termites in your yard that will soon be attracted to your house! To remove a tree stump, you’re looking at a minimum of $100 depending on the size of the stump. Rather large stumps can cost as much as $500 just to remove!

Any time there is excess difficulty or unexpected obstacles, your total cost is going to be as much as 50% higher than the average tree removal job. Utility poles and nearby houses will typically increase the difficult of the job.

How Can I Save Money?

If you are looking into removing a relatively small tree, it may be worth attempting the task yourself. Purchasing some simple tree removing tools to simplify your job will most likely cost less than hiring a company to remove the tree for you.

Chop your tree down sooner than later as an old dead tree can end up crashing to the ground before your eyes. A large tree unexpectedly falling could damage your house or power lines. These type of damages will need to be covered at your own expense.

Lastly, check with your home insurance company before removing your tree. If the insurance company does not cover the entire process, there’s a chance they may at least cover a portion of the cost.