The question is, can you save money on tree removal depending on the time of year you choose? The answer is yes!
The Cheapest time of year for tree removal is winter. Why? Because tree work is slow and tree services need to bid lower prices to get work to see them through the colder months.
This does not really work that well in warmer states like Nevada, Arizona, or Florida, but anywhere people stay indoors in winter, there is a drop-in gardening service.
Why Is it cheaper to cut trees in the winter?
It’s just like booking a hotel- you get attractive discounts in the off-season, and during winter, you can expect to get a 20% to 30% discount on your tree removal cost.
Supply and demand determine the price for tree removal just like any other commodity or service in the market. Tree removal companies may offer lower prices during the winter as not many people need tree services.
Below is a snapshot of Google Trends search volume for the search term “tree removal” over a 5-year period. Look at how the demand increases and decreases with the seasons.
How to save more money
We have a great article on our home page on ways to save money on tree removal all year round.
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Step 1: Scroll to the top of the page and enter your Zip Code.
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Step 3: Top-voted local tree services get in touch with some great advice and priced estimates.
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What is a good price for tree removal?
The price for removing a tree depends on several factors like the time of the year, the health of the tree, and ease of access.
You may need to pay $225 for removing small trees while the cost can go up to $4,500 for bigger ones. The average cost to remove a tree is around $871.
An arborist will come and survey the conditions including your tree, obstacles, and other factors before quoting his price. There is no hard and fast formula to decide the price, as tree companies charge you by the job and not on an hourly basis. Every tree company has its own business model and can have different charges.
The company will also consider its overheads, the equipment used, and manpower to decide the final price. The price will also depend on the time needed to take down the tree and the level of effort required.
Here’s a closer look at the average prices you may be charged for different trees.
Sml 10ft
Med 20ft
Lrg 45ft
XL 75ft +
Sml 10ft
Small trees: You may need to pay $200 to $500 for removing a small tree. A small tree is usually 5 to 15 feet in height and has a trunk diameter of less than 6 inches.
Med 20ft
Medium trees: A medium tree can be classified as having heights of 15 to 25 feet. The charges for cutting down medium trees can vary from $500 to $900. The price may vary due to certain factors, like the location of the tree in your yard.
Lrg 45ft
Large trees: A large tree can grow up to 30 to 60 feet in height. You might end up paying $900 to $2,500 for removing a big tree. large tree removal cost is always calculated higher compared to other trees as you need to remove a considerable amount of timber and foliage.
XL 75ft +
Extra-large trees: Though uncommon, you might have a super-large tree growing to heights of 100 to 120 feet. You can expect to shell out anything from $2,500 to $4,500 for removing such a big tree.
The above costs also include the price of stump removal and you don’t need to pay anything extra.
| Task | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Trees (10 ft) | $200 | $500 | $350 |
| Medium Trees (25 ft) | $500 | $900 | $645 |
| Large Trees (45 ft) | $900 | $2,500 | $1,525 |
| Extra Large Trees (65 ft) | $2,500 | $4,500 | $3,750 |
How much do arborists charge?
Arborists charge different rates for the duties they handle. Some jobs might cost less, while others may cost more. You can expect the charges to range between $375 and $1,500 depending on what is being done.
For instance, if you want to trim small trees like palms, then a single trimming can cost $75. But if you want to cut down a very large tree-like a Norfolk Island Pine, then you can be looking at around $5,000 all in.
Here’s a breakdown of how much an arborist charges based on the service.
Tree trimming prices
An arborist can charge anything from $50 to $2,500 for trimming a tree. The cost of tree trimming depends on the quantity and the size of the branches you want to remove. So you can understand that trimming a few branches off a palm tree would cost much less than trimming numerous branches off a radiata pine tree.
Time is money, so the more branches and the longer it takes to remove them, the more you will be charged.
Tree removal charges
Tree removal services can start around $200 and cost as much as $5,000 for large and challenging projects. How much you need to pay will be decided by the size, location, and ease of access to a tree. The bigger and more difficult a tree is to remove, the more you will pay.
The average cost of tree removal comes in at $1,147 so far this year but can vary depending on many factors like height, girth, and property access.
Arborist report cost
Arborist reports are different from general tree inspections and serve as official documents. You might need to present an arborist report to your city or council when you want to remove a tree.
The reports are also required to file applications of development by construction companies.
Arborist reports are detailed documents running 6 to 12 pages and present details on the health of the tree, safe and useful life expectancy, and amenity value.
It can cost anything from $300 to $450 to get a report from a qualified consulting tree arborist.
What other times of year are good to cut trees down?
As we already discussed, the ideal time to cut down trees is during winter when they are dormant.
But you may need to remove trees during other times of the year based on several factors.
For instance, if a tree poses a risk, has damaged trunks, roots up-lifting or is leaning, it’s best to remove it right away. You can also cut down trees that are infested or diseased to prevent the spread to nearby trees and plants.
You should consult a certified arborist who will come over to inspect your tree and determine if it needs to go.
Generally, you can remove a tree at any time of the year if it’s necessary. The only issue is that you might need to pay more to cut down trees during the high season1 when tree companies are very busy.
The high season is any time from spring to the end of summer.
Is it legal to cut trees on my property?
You can go ahead and cut trees on your property that are not under the city’s protection. Every county or city has its own regulations for tree removal and you need to follow them.
All trees are considered community trees as they provide a range of benefits to the community. You should consult the tree preservation ordinance of your city to find out the types of trees you can remove.
For example, some cities allow any trees under the height of 12 inches to be cut without a permit.
On the other hand, you may need a permit to cut down a larger tree or a heritage tree.
FAQ’s
Is it cheaper to cut down a tree in winter?
Yes. There are a couple of reasons for this. The deciduous trees are a little easier to work on as they do not have any leaves. They are lighter and there is less cleanup at the end. The biggest reason though is there is a lot less demand for tree services in winter. With an over-supply of companies and a low demand, tree companies will bid lower and lower prices to win the work. This puts you in a pole position to get some great quotes on your tree job.
Can I get quotes over the phone?
You can try, but in most cases the tree service will need to come out and view the job first. Every tree is different and so is the difficulty or ease to remove. A tree contractor will need to take into consideration not only the tree itself, but also the access, location on property and obstacles around the tree. This is impossible to quote from a photo or a description over the phone.
Can I get my tree cut down for free?
Generally, the answer is no. If the tree has fallen in a storm, your homeowner’s insurance will cover it, but if it is healthy and you just want it removed, you are going to be hard-pressed to find someone willing to work for free. Tree service companies are expensive to run as they have large overheads with insurance and labor costs. They will need to charge you to do the work to make a living.
Do I need council permission to cut down a tree?
This will depend on the council laws on tree removal in your area. Every local council has what’s called a Tree Preservation Order. This outlines the rules regarding tree removal. An example of a rule might be; “If the tree has a trunk circumference of 1.0m or more when measured at 1m above ground level will need a permit for removal.” To see the TPO for your area go here.
Should I remove a tree close to my house?
This will depend on the type of tree and how close to your house it is. The roots of some trees can be quite invasive and begin to crack the foundations of your home if left to grow. A good safe distance is 10 ft. or more from the outer edge of the trunk. At this distance tree roots can still find their way into drains and under your home, but they are less likely to cause any real foundational damage. Anything closer than 10 ft. and you should consider removing it.
How much does it cost to cut down a 50 foot pine tree?
Pine trees come in different shapes and sizes. For the sake of this question, we are going to look at a 50 ft. spruce type pine. A 50-foot pine will cost you between $890 and $1,780 depending on the access to the tree and its location on your property. Trees that can be felled from the base are a lot cheaper than trees that need a climber or a cherry picker to remove.
- Davey Blog, (2022) What is the Best Time of Year to Remove Trees? <https://blog.davey.com/what-is-the-best-time-of-year-to-remove-trees/> Accessed: 28-02-2024
