Tree Removal Cost Calculator
| Height band | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 ft | $200-500 | access, trunk diameter |
| 30-60 ft | $400-1,000 | rigging near structures |
| 60-80 ft | $800-1,800 | climb time, chipper hours |
| Over 80 ft | $1,500-3,500 | crane at $200+/hour |
Tree removal prices by height band: under 30 feet typically runs $200-500, 30-60 feet $400-1,000, 60-80 feet $800-1,800, and anything over 80 feet $1,500-3,500 - and those are calm-weather numbers. The emergency multiplier is the shock most homeowners meet first: a storm-split maple that must come down this week, with crews working around downed lines, prices at 1.5 to 2 times the planned rate. Height is the biggest lever because it decides the crew, the climb time and whether a crane shows up at $200+ per hour.
What moves a quote inside the band: how close the tree stands to structures and power lines (crane work and roping add cost), trunk diameter (bigger trunks are slower to rig), access for chippers and trucks, and local permit rules - some cities require a permit to remove any tree over a set diameter. Stump grinding is almost always a separate line, $100-300 for a typical stump, and cleanup to firewood-size logs versus haul-away changes the quote again. Treat every number here as a market-range estimate: three local quotes are the real calculator.
How to use
- Pick the tree's height band and how many trees are coming down - multi-tree jobs price better per tree.
- Toggle planned versus emergency: storm work with immediate hazard runs 1.5-2 times the planned rate.
- Read the range, then collect three local quotes - access, diameter and permits are the details that move real bids.
Frequently asked questions
How much does tree removal cost by height?
Typical ranges: under 30 feet, $200-500; 30-60 feet, $400-1,000; 60-80 feet, $800-1,800; over 80 feet, $1,500-3,500. Emergency or storm-hazard removal runs 1.5-2 times those figures. Access is the hidden variable - a tree overhanging a house or power line can double the bid because it needs rigging or a crane.
Why is tree removal so expensive?
You are paying for skilled climbers, rigging equipment, chipper and truck time, disposal weight, and liability insurance for work where mistakes fall on houses. Large trees near structures need sectional dismantling - climbed and rigged piece by piece - or a crane at $200+ per hour. The price is mostly risk management, not labor hours.
Is stump grinding included in tree removal?
Usually not - stump grinding is a separate line, typically $100-300 for a standard stump depending on diameter, and full stump plus root removal costs more again. Ask whether the quote includes grinding, surface root chasing, and grindings haul-away or leave-behind; the three bids you collect can differ on all three.
Does home insurance cover tree removal?
Sometimes: if a storm drops a tree on your house, most policies cover removal as part of the damage claim (often with a cap, commonly $500-1,000). Removing a dead or dying tree before it falls is considered maintenance and is almost never covered - which is exactly why the planned removal price beats the emergency one.