There's no fixed price per tree, because two trees the same height can be completely different jobs. National cost surveys put the average removal at roughly $850 to $900, with most jobs falling between about $385 and $1,070. Large trees, trees over houses and dead trees run higher, sometimes $2,000 or more.
Typical ranges by size
These ranges are based on national cost surveys and are only a starting point. Your quote depends on the factors in the next section.
| Tree | Example | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 30 ft) | Bradford pear, dogwood, young pine | About $300 to $600 |
| Medium (30 to 60 ft) | Red maple, mid-size pine or oak | About $600 to $1,200 |
| Large (60 ft and up) | Mature oak, tulip poplar, tall pine | About $1,200 to $2,500 or more |
| Stump grinding (add-on) | One stump | About $130 to $440 |
What raises the price
- Targets underneath. A tree that can be dropped whole in an open yard is the cheapest kind. One over a roof, pool or fence has to be taken down in pieces.
- Steep or tight access. Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain and ridge lots often mean hand-carrying wood or bringing in a crane.
- Power lines. Work near lines is slower and may need the utility to disconnect service first.
- Dead or rotten wood that's unsafe to climb.
- Hardwood. Oak and hickory are heavy, so they're slower to cut and haul than pine.
- Emergency timing. Nights, weekends and the days right after a storm cost more.
Ways to save
- Bundle the work. Two or three trees, trimming and stumps on one visit cost less than separate trips.
- Keep the wood. Having logs left in firewood lengths can take a chunk off the price.
- Handle small brush yourself. In Chattanooga, city brush pickup takes limbs up to 8 feet long and 18 inches thick. Request it through 311.
- Schedule in late winter if the tree isn't urgent.
- Remove dying trees early, before they're too brittle to climb.
What a quote should include: the trees and work covered, stump grinding (yes or no), log and brush hauling, cleanup, and proof of insurance. If it isn't written down, assume it isn't included.
Common questions
What's the cheapest time of year to remove a tree?
Late winter is often a bit cheaper. Leaves are off, so the tree is lighter and easier to work, and demand is lower than in spring and after summer storms. Emergency work after a storm is the most expensive.
Is stump grinding included in the price?
Often not. Ask for it on the same quote. Grinding while the crew is already there usually costs less than booking it separately. See the stump grinding cost guide.
Will my insurance pay to remove a tree?
Usually only when a tree falls on a covered structure, like your house or fence. Insurance generally doesn't pay to remove a healthy or dying tree before it falls.
Why do quotes for the same tree vary so much?
Crews have different equipment, overhead and insurance. A crew with a crane or bucket truck may be cheaper on a hard tree than one that has to climb and rig everything. Get at least two written quotes on big jobs, and compare what each one includes.