Tree Removal Cost Calculator
This tree removal cost estimator (also called a tree cutting cost calculator) estimates tree removal prices from your tree's height, trunk diameter (DBH), species, condition, site access and region — with a low-high price range, stump grinding and debris add-ons, a multi-tree lot estimator, and a quote checker to sanity-check an arborist's bid. 100% client-side; nothing leaves your browser.
Single tree estimate
Multi-tree lot — per-tree vs whole lot
Crews discount multi-tree jobs (5% for 2 trees, 7% for 3-4, 10% for 5+). Add each tree; shared region and timing apply to the whole lot.
Stump & debris planner
Quote checker — is this bid fair?
Enter any tree removal price you were quoted and describe the tree; the checker compares it against the typical low-high range.
Average tree removal cost by size (U.S., 2024–2026)
Mid estimates for the default scenario (softwood, healthy, easy access, Midwest, scheduled, stump not included). Your region and tree move these up or down — use the calculator above for your case.
| Height | Size tier | Mid estimate | Typical range | Per foot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 ft | Small | $229 | $188–$284 | $15/ft |
| 25 ft | Small | $381 | $312–$472 | $15/ft |
| 35 ft | Medium | $610 | $500–$756 | $17/ft |
| 45 ft | Medium | $914 | $749–$1,133 | $20/ft |
| 55 ft | Medium | $1,245 | $1,021–$1,544 | $23/ft |
| 65 ft | Large | $1,626 | $1,333–$2,016 | $25/ft |
| 75 ft | Large | $2,083 | $1,708–$2,583 | $28/ft |
| 85 ft | Extra large | $2,565 | $2,103–$3,181 | $30/ft |
Compiled from 2024–2026 industry cost guides (see Sources). The average cost to remove a tree in the U.S. is often quoted around $850–$950 — right near the 45 ft row here: $749–$1,133 (mid $914, about $20/ft; guides quote roughly $5–$25 per foot).
How much does it cost to cut down a tree?
Short answer: $749–$1,133 for a typical 45 ft tree (mid $914), $200–$500 for a small tree under 30 ft, and $1,800+ for anything over 80 ft. That is the price to cut down and remove the tree — the stump, debris hauling and permits usually cost extra. Enter your tree's details in the calculator for a tailored range.
Tree removal cost by species (50 ft, 18 in DBH)
Same size, same easy yard, same Midwest market — only the species changes:
| Species | Mid estimate | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | $1,265 | $1,037–$1,569 |
| Maple | $1,265 | $1,037–$1,569 |
| Pine | $1,100 | $902–$1,364 |
| Palm | $1,210 | $992–$1,500 |
Hardwoods (oak, maple) cost more because dense wood is slower to cut and heavier to rig; palms price above baseline for their fibrous, messy crowns.
How the price is calculated
Mid estimate = baseline(height) x species x condition x access x region x urgency x DBH factor. The baseline is a smooth curve through documented market midpoints (e.g. 25 ft -> $375, 45 ft -> $900, 80 ft -> $2,300). The typical range is about −18% / +24% around the mid — the spread you see between real bids. Stump, debris and permit are added as separate line items, exactly how most quotes itemize them.
Species
| Option | Price factor |
|---|---|
| Hardwood (oak, maple, hickory) (dense wood, slower to cut) | x1.15 |
| Softwood (pine, fir, spruce) (baseline) | x1.00 |
| Palm (messy, fibrous, spiky fronds) | x1.10 |
| Ornamental / fruit tree (smaller, softer wood) | x0.95 |
Tree condition
| Option | Price factor |
|---|---|
| Healthy, standing | x1.00 |
| Diseased / declining | x1.10 |
| Dead, still standing (brittle wood is harder and riskier to climb/rig) | x1.20 |
| Leaning / storm-damaged | x1.25 |
| Already fallen / lying down (already-down trees run ~50-75% cheaper) | x0.55 |
Site access
| Option | Price factor |
|---|---|
| Easy — open yard, fell in one piece | x1.00 |
| Moderate — backyard, fence nearby | x1.20 |
| Difficult — over roof / near structure (climbed and lowered in sections) | x1.40 |
| Extreme — under power lines / crane needed (likely needs a crane; get an ISA-certified crew) | x1.60 |
Region
| Option | Price factor |
|---|---|
| Midwest (baseline) | x1.00 |
| Northeast | x1.15 |
| South | x0.95 |
| West | x1.15 |
| Coastal / major metro (e.g. NYC, SF, Boston) (urban labor + insurance premiums) | x1.40 |
Urgency / timing
| Option | Price factor |
|---|---|
| Scheduled (normal booking) | x1.00 |
| Emergency / storm work (off-hours crews charge a premium) | x1.50 |
| Off-season (late fall / winter) (low demand season, typically 10-20% cheaper) | x0.85 |
Trunk diameter (DBH) adjustment
No adjustment up to 12 in DBH; 10% off for skinny trunks (6 in or less); about +0.8% per inch above 12 in (capped at +60%). A 24-inch trunk therefore costs ~10% more than a 12-inch trunk of the same height.
Worked examples (computed by the engine on this page)
1. Small ornamental, easy yard
25 ft tall, 12 in DBH, ornamental, healthy, easy access, Midwest, scheduled. Baseline $375 x 1.00 (DBH) x 0.95 (ornamental) = $356, typical range $292–$441.
2. Dead oak, hard job
60 ft tall, 24 in DBH, hardwood, dead standing, difficult access (over a roof), Northeast. Baseline $1,400 x 1.15 (hardwood) x 1.20 (dead) x 1.40 (difficult) x 1.15 (Northeast) x 1.096 (24 in DBH) = $3,409, typical range $2,795–$4,227.
3. Whole lot of three trees
25 ft pine ($375 mid), 45 ft hardwood ($1,085 mid), 70 ft dead pine ($2,367 mid): subtotal $3,827, minus 7% multi-tree discount ($268) = $3,559 for the lot.
4. Emergency crane job
80 ft pine, 30 in DBH, under power lines (extreme access), coastal metro, emergency call-out: $8,841, typical range $7,250–$10,963. Access, region and urgency multiply fast — the same tree scheduled in an easy Midwest yard would be a fraction of this.
What drives the price most
- Height — the #1 driver: taller trees need climbers, rigging, sometimes a bucket truck or crane, and more drop-zone control.
- Access — a tree felled whole in an open yard is a fast job; the same tree over a roof must be climbed and lowered in sections (+20–60%).
- Condition — dead standing wood is brittle and dangerous (+20%); already-fallen trees are the cheapest (−45%).
- Region — coastal metros run up to 40% above the Midwest baseline on labor and insurance.
- Add-ons — stump grinding (~$75 for 18 in), debris hauling (~$154 for a 45 ft tree) and permits are usually not in the removal quote.
Getting quotes without getting burned
- Get three itemized written quotes — removal, stump, debris, cleanup and permit handling listed separately.
- Hire licensed and insured companies; an ISA-certified arborist on staff is the quality signal.
- Confirm who handles the permit and what happens to the wood (haul-away vs left as firewood).
- Never pay in full upfront; be wary of door-knockers after storms.
- Off-season (late fall/winter) bookings often run 10–20% cheaper.
Related calculators
Boundary notes: the tree value calculator appraises what a tree is worth (timber/board-feet or landscape value) — this page prices what removal costs. Use the mulch calculator if you keep the chipped wood for beds, and the log weight calculator to estimate what the trunk sections will weigh for hauling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove a tree?
How is tree removal cost calculated?
Does trunk diameter (DBH) affect the price?
Is it more expensive to remove a hardwood tree?
Does it cost more to remove a dead tree?
What is usually NOT included in a tree removal quote?
How much does stump grinding cost?
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
How much extra does emergency tree removal cost?
When is the cheapest time of year to remove a tree?
Is it cheaper to remove a tree that already fell?
How many quotes should I get for tree removal?
Can I remove a tree myself to save money?
How much does it cost to remove an oak tree?
How much does it cost to remove a pine tree?
How is this different from the tree value calculator?
Methodology & sources
Baselines are piecewise-linear midpoints compiled from 2024–2026 U.S. industry cost guides (HomeAdvisor/Angi, Fixr, Thumbtack and tree-service pricing pages — full list in SOURCES.md). Multipliers encode the factors those guides agree on: hardwood density, dead-wood risk, access difficulty, regional labor spreads and emergency premiums. Ranges (−18% / +24%) reflect observed bid spreads. This is a planning model, not a quote: it cannot see lean, root rot, utility conflicts or your local market.
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