Eliminating the fees associated with tree removal may seem like an ideal scenario, but it’s not always attainable. The fact of the matter is, services aren’t provided without cost, and the financial support must originate from some source.
However, there are circumstances when you can secure free tree removal, or drastically reduce the costs through government grants, seniors assistance programs or in rare cases, with logging companies or nurseries.
Local tree services will not remove your tree for free. It would be like asking a plumber to work a full day in exchange for scrap copper left over. It’s just not feasible.
Below are 6 options you can take advantage of different free tree removal options.
| Source | Tree types | FREE tree removal | What are my chances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firewood Company | All except palm trees | No | < 1% |
| Lumber Company | Exotic timber or a large volume of trees | Maybe | 5% |
| Senior/ Pensioner | Discounts but not free | No | 0% |
| City Pays | Only trees on public land | Yes | 90% |
| Landscaper Nusery | Select palms/ small trees | Yes | 20% |
| Insurance Coverage | Fallen trees only | Yes | 95% |
| Utility Company | Tree close to/ touching power lines | Yes | 50% |
6 Ways To Get Free Tree Removal
Money to pay for tree removal needs to come from somewhere. Whether it’s in the resale value of the wood, the tree itself or government programs. Let’s go through the top ways to get free tree removal first.
If you don’t qualify for any of them, there are lots of other ways to reduce the cost of removal, so be sure to read the section on how to save on tree removal.
1. Contact Your Utility Company
If the tree in question is near power lines, your utility companies will want to remove the tree to protect their asset, the power lines. It would go on a case-by-case basis, but your first step would be to contact them and let them know your a tree close to or touching their power lines.
2. Free wood for Logging Companies
A logging company, which is different from a residential tree service, will negotiate free tree removal in exchange for the wood, but only on large plantations of 1 acre or more. They will not work for regular residential tree removal. The tree/ wood needs to be desirable and there needs to be enough of it so they make a profit.
3. Get The City to Remove Trees for Free
If a tree is on city property and encroaching on your property, you can apply for them to remove it. They will not remove a tree on your property for free as it is private property and out of their jurisdiction.
4. Lumber Mills Buy Quality Timber
Lumber mills are where logging companies take their timber to be milled. This is where the money is made on timber as it turns into usable lengths. One way to get trees removed for free is to skip the middleman (the logging company) and deal directly with a timber mill. Let them know the types of trees and quantity and make a deal for them to buy the timber once you deliver it.
Once you have that price, you can approach logging companies to do the job for less than the lumber mill is paying you. This is essentially free tree removal in exchange for wood, but it requires a little bit more work.
5. Post an ad on Facebook Marketplace
This will not get you free tree removal but rather offset the costs. When you get a tree service to quote the removal of your tree, ask for a price to cut down and cut up the tree,m but leave the logs on site. This will normally save you 20 – 40% off the price of the job. Then take a photo of the timber and post it on eBay, Marketplace or Craigs List. People will bid to buy it from you, but the kicker is, they will also turn up and haul it away. This should bring the overall cost of tree removal down to an even 50% off.
6. Nurseries & landscaping companies
Established trees like Olive trees and many types of palm trees are sort by nurseries and landscaping companies. If you have the right tree in the right location, they will come and haul it away free of charge. This is rare, as you need to have the right tree at the right time in a good location for access by heavy machinery. I recommend phoning nurseries in your city and asking if they purchase established trees.
Are all trees worth money?
No. Most large trees are not worth anything except for maybe $200 in firewood timber. But even firewood takes 2 years of drying, cutting, splitting, loading and delivering.
For your tree to be valuable enough to be hauled away for free, it would need to be easily dug out and resold as a mature tree, or the timber would be worth a lot of money.
Which trees are worth the most money
The most expensive trees to buy are mature palm trees. The size, age and species will determine the price. A list of the most sort after palm trees are listed below:
| Common name | Botanical name |
|---|---|
| Canary Island date palm | Phoenix canariensis |
| Bottle palm | Hyophorbe lagenicaulis |
| Foxtail palm | Wodyetia bifurcata |
| Cabbage palm | Sabal palmetto |
| Triangle palm | Dypsis decaryi |
| Coco de mer | Lodoicea |
See some other palm trees here and their possible sale prices.
Trees for landscaping
The following trees are very popular with landscaping companies are they are reasonably easy to transplant and can fetch a high price for the right specimen. Talk to some local landscape companies and see if they are working on a project that requires one of the following. Send a picture and see if they are interested.
- Red Maple
- Jacaranda
- Sea Grape
- Frangipani
- Silk Trees
- Palm Trees
Factors To Consider When Having Trees Removed For Free In Exchange For Wood
Location
If you have a sort-after palm tree you think you can get removed for free, the location on your property is key. If it’s tucked away in a hard-to-reach corner of your yard, there is like to no hope of getting free removal. Landscapers and Nurseries who buy these types of trees need access with heavy machines to get access to the tree.
Species
Many tree species have a range of purposes. Some timber companies will remove high-quality timber trees2 for free and pay you for them.
Other tree species are essential for landscaping. If you want to remove a landscaping tree for free, look for a landscaping company that may need it. Landscapers can remove mature trees.
Size
The larger the tree, the more expensive and harder it is to remove. But, the larger the tree, the more valuable it is due to the volume of timber. Therefore, it is easier to have a large tree removed for free in exchange for wood.
If you want a smaller tree removed for free in exchange for wood, the removal company would need you to have a multiple trees to make up for it. Tree removal requires lots of heavy machinary adn man power, which is costly. The more wood available from the trees being removed will be a significant consideration before tree removal companies consifer free tree removal services in exchange for wood.
Resale value
There needs to be a profit in it for the company removing the trees. They are not going to do it out of the goodness of their hearts. So, if you have trees with sort-after timber, you have a better chance of getting free tree removal.
below is a timber that fetches high resale value and might be worth a tree removal company to remove the tree and sell the timber.
- Mahogany
- Rosewood
- Oak
- Kingwood
- Black Cherry
Logging Companies
A large consideration for logging companies is the amount of wood they can get for their effort. Before you contact a logging company, ensure that you have a substantial number of trees. The more trees you want to be removed for free, the more likely a logging company will do it for you.
When engaging a logging company, you also need to know the species and value of your tree. Logging companies will pay for valuable trees and remove them for free.
Can Someone Else Pay For My Tree Removal?
Yes. Some circumstances allow other parties to pay for your tree removal.
Local governments – Street trees are owned and maintained by local governments. When the trees need removal, your local government will hire professionals to remove the trees.
Access to tree removal grants — The government offers tree removal grants depending on where you live. If you are a farmer who needs to remove trees from your land, you can access the grants.
Seniors assistance — Tree removal companies grant discounts to seniors. Due to the cost of tree removal, arborists can only offer a discount and not fully waive their charges. Some assistance programs are available that will allow free tree removal for seniors, explored in more detail here.
Your home insurance may cover your property if the tree has fallen. It will depend on the level of cover, how the tree came to fall over and if anything was damaged.
Tree removal assistance programs
Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
This was set up for farmers, orchards, nurseries and vineyards affected by natural disasters. If a large number of trees were destroyed, the disaster assistance program could help remove and replace new stock. Eligibility includes having suffered a loss in excess of 15% of stock.FEMA Debris removal assistance
After a natural disaster, FEMA can help or provide relief for the removal of fallen trees and tree debris on your property and they also have a a free tree removal service for dangerous trees where the tree poses a risk to properties such as being in imminent danger of falling over. https://www.esseltek.co/blog/reimbursed-hazard-tree-removal/Harold K.L Foundation
Normally, for assisting seniors, the program offers up to $100,000 to successful applicants to remove trees in fire-prone areas that are causing damage to fences or homes.Is There a Free Tree Removal for Veterans?
Yes, Project Evergreen offers free tree trimming, among other services for veterans. This program is for active-duty deployed service members to help maintain their residence in their absence.
Can I get free palm tree removal?
It is rare, but possible. As long as you have a desirable species and a local nursery or landscaper is willing to remove a palm tree free to sell onto another customer, then you’re in luck. In most cases, you will need to pay for palm tree removal.
Will Homeowners Insurance Pay For Tree Removal?
If a tree has fallen on your property, depending on your level of coverage, your home insurance might cover the costs of removal. If the tree falls and damages your home, fence car or any other item of value, you actually have a much better chance of getting your insurance to foot the bill.
If you have a dead tree that has fallen due to neglect, you may have a hard time getting the insurance company paying for the removal as they may argue you had neglected to maintain your trees and property.
Pro tip: If a dead tree has fallen on your property, post an ad in Facebook Marketplace for “free firewood” and invite someone with a chainsaw to cut up the tree and haul it away.
How Much Does Tree Removal Typically Cost?
Tree removal costs $500 – $4,570. The average cost of tree removal is $1,257.
How much you pay for tree removal depends on:
- Size of the tree to remove.
- Number of trees to remove.
- Tools used.
- How long it will take to complete the job.
- Type of the tree.
- The health of the tree. Healthy trees are difficult to remove. Arborists will charge you more for difficult-to-remove healthy trees.
- Emergency removal. You will pay more to remove a tree that falls on the property and needs emergency removal before it causes more damage.
- Your location. If you live in a remote area, your tree removal specialist may charge you more for transport. Sloping land makes it difficult to remove a tree. You will pay more to remove a tree on the sloppy ground.
- University of Florida IFAS Extension, (2022) Transplanting Palms in the Landscape <https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP449> Accessed: 08-02-2024
- U.S. Forest Service, (2022) Know Before You Go: Tree Cutting <https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/tree-cutting> Accessed: 08-02-2024
