There are two ways to calculate the cost of tree removal, using a calculator tool or being given the variables to work it out yourself. But which one is better.

Prices start at $225 for small trees and go right up to $3,900 for larger trees. Other factors such as access, tree condition and time of year all contribute to cost.

The cost of tree removal can go a lot higher than this, but the above price range is within a band of averages. Below is our FREE online cost calculating tool for tree removal. Use it to quickly and easily work out an estimate your tree job.

Calculating the cost to remove a tree can be tricky as there are a lot of factors to take in, but understanding all the factors will be a huge advantage, as it will give you the upper hand on understanding where big savings can be made with your own tree removal job.

Below I have taken photographs of different tree species of various sizes and discussed the price you could expect to pay to remove this type of tree. Hopefully with an image of a tree that is similar to yours you can get a rough idea of price.

The average tree removal cost is $871 so far in 2019. This is a handy fact, but really has no bearing on the cost of your tree.

Trees come in all shapes and sizes, so only by studying a bit more information below will you get a more accurate indication of exactly how much you can expect to pay to have your tree cut down.

The tree removal cost calculator which we have put together is one of the most accurate on the market. It takes into account four (4) of the main factors to determine exactly what a tree job will cost.

We use these 4 variables as they are the biggest factors that swing price the most.
That being said, there are a lot more factors than just four to consider, which will go into more detail below, but the biggest factors which sway the price estimate on tree removal are:

Job type: Trim | Removal
Tree size: 1 story | 2 stories | 3 stories
No. of trees: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4+
Access to trees: Easy (front) | Difficult (back)

Just by using these 4 variables, we are able to calculate with a certain degree of accuracy the price you would expect to pay for your particular tree removal or trimming job.

Some of the factors we considered adding to the calculator tool that also affect the cost were whether the tree is dead or alive, obstacles around the tree such as fences sheds power lines or your home and also if the tree is on a block of land with a steep gradient.

We have found that even though these factors do play a role in the cost of tree removal, the four main factors that we have included in the cost calculating tool still seem to be the most relevant and get a very accurate price within $75.

Below we’re going to go in a little bit more detail discussing some more factors that will contribute to the cost of tree removal. Again in the calculator we have left these particular variables out as a selection criteria yet as an average they have been factored in to the cost.

This is where a small bit of variance does come in which can either work in your favour or against you.

Here they are in no particular order:

Time of year

These factors are in no particular order but it did make sense to stick this one at the top. Time of year is a very important factor when it comes to the cost of tree removal.

Getting your tree removed in spring and summer will have you paying a premium price for the service. It’s much like trying to book a hotel by the beach during summer holidays. There is a lot more demand during this period and you’ll simply pay more.

During the winter months most tree companies go into hibernation (pun intended) as they do not have enough work to sustain them. Some can thrive in winter if they have a side business such as selling firewood, but for most tree services they continue doing whatever tree work they can find. This is great news as you are on the right side of the supply and demand chain with tree services falling over each other trying to win your business. At the end of the day you will pay less.

Tree size

Tree size is an obvious one, so I won’t go into too much detail, but the bigger the tree the more you will pay. Now there is a difference between how tall a tree is and how “big” it is. When I say big, you need to factor in number of branches and spread of the tree.

Number of branches

Some trees have a single straight trunk with lots of small branches which are really easy to work on. Others will have like an oak tree will have large branches it extend out a long way. These are a lot more time-consuming to work on and will cost you a lot more money to remove.

Trunk diameter

The diameter of the tree trunk is generally directly tied to the size of the tree. The taller the tree, the larger of the diameter of the trunk needed to support that tree. That being said you do get some trees that are tall with a very slender trunks. These are a lot easier to handle a lot less time-consuming and less manual labour required. A good general rule of thumb to consider when calculating the cost of tree removal is, the more volume of timber the more it will cost you to have the tree removed.

Location on property

This is a really big factor and has been added as a selection criteria in the tree removal cost calculator. Imagine you had two identical trees one of them was in your front yard which was easily assessable by heavy machinery and the other tree of the exact size and shape is in your backyard with very poor rear access.

The tree in the front yard will most likely cost you half the price as tree in your backyard. The reason being there is a lot more manual labour involved in transporting the tree from the backyard to the front without the assistance of heavy machinery. This takes time and time is money.

Pro tip: You can negate this extra cost by granting the best access possible to the tree in your backyard. If you don’t have a driveway with a good rear access, maybe your neighbour does? Putting them on your Christmas card list and asking them if they would mind you removing a section of fence so the tree services can access your backyard through their driveway will save you hundreds of dollars.

Obstacles

This is a very big factor depending on the obstacle the tree services face. If a tree is overhanging your house obviously the house cannot be moved to make the removal of the tree easier. The arborist will just have to work around it.

But other things like pot plants, fences and even power lines to your house can all be removed or repositioned to make the removal or pruning job a lot easier for the tree service company.

Pro tip: The easier it is for the arborist to remove your tree, the less money it is going to cost you. Remove any obstacles around the tree before the tree comes down. It is important that you do this or indicate your intention to do this during the quoting process. The tree service needs to know exactly what they are working with when pricing your job.

The company quoting your job

This factor is probably one of the biggest ones people don’t take into account. There are many types of tree companies of various sizes who approach their business model differently. If you get three quotes from the first tree services that you find in an internet search, chances are you were going to be paying more for tree lopping.

It is not blind luck or coincidence that those companies were the first ones that you came across. These companies pay a lot of money to be in top positions.

Their large marketing budgets will net them a lot more leads and phone calls, but they will need to quote higher prices to recoup the large amounts of money they do spend on marketing. So don’t be afraid to check page 2 of Google results or Yelp.

There are many things you can control in reducing the cost of removing a tree from your property.

In no particular order they are listed below with an explanation.

Do the work in winter

This one we have touched on a little above. Because there is so little work and so many companies trying to win the work, you will find in most cases they drop their prices 20 – 30% in the cooler months.

Grant better access to the tree

Giving the tree service better access is also a very big deal. If you are able to remove a section of fence to allow the tree service to enter via your neighbours yard, or maybe you back onto a Laneway or park, you will save them time and yourself a lot of money.

Remove obstacles

There are lots of obstacles that you might not even think of being a big deal, but can add to the time taken to remove the tree which will inadvertently cost you more money.

Tree pruning and removal is pretty rough and tumble. If you have anything delicate near the tree being trimmed or removed such as pot plant, outdoor furniture, kids play equipment etc. this will have the tree service company dancing around it all trying not to damage anything. Even a nicely manicured lawn or a beautiful garden bed under the tree can seriously slow things up.

If you make it clear during the quoting process that you will remove everything out of the way before they start the job, you’ll find this simple trick can save you quite a bit of money.

Dispose of waste yourself

Depending on the size location, and type of tree being removed it is debatable whether this can save you money.

In the case of palm trees on the other hand, disposing of the waste yourself is going to save you 30 – 50% off the price of removal.

Palm trees are not like regular trees, they are actually quite acidic and cannot be mulched and re-sold by the tree service companies as garden cover. The whole tree needs to be dumped at a waste disposal facility as general waste and not green waste. This is actually quite expensive with most places charging in the hundreds of dollars per tonne. Because palm trees are full of water and quite heavy, the costs add up quickly.

If you were to dispose of the green waste yourself either in your garbage bin over time, or if your local council has a clean-ups for free, you can place the palm logs on the sidewalk for free removal.

Fire sale on firewood

Why not sell your trees timber as firewood? This is only really worth it if you have a large tree, and doubly worth it if the tree is in your back yard and hard to get to. Rather than paying the tree service to remove the whole tree, just ask them to remove the branches. Also ask the trunk to be cut into firewood size logs.

Not only will you save money for removal as the tree company will not have to spend time manually loading and removing all the timber, but you can have an auction on eBay for the firewood. People will pay you for the timber and come pick it up for free.

The cost of tree removal can vary from state to state due to a few factors.

Population density, supply and demand as well as cost of living will all come into play.

In general it would come down to the running costs of a tree business in your state or city. Obviously the cost to remove a tree in San Francisco would be more than in Fresno even though they are both in California.

The cost of housing, office space, insurance and the average wages for the area will affect the price of local services. The cost of tree removal is no different.

Firstly, if the tree has come down or is dangerous, you should call emergency services first to render the tree safe. This is a free service and will not cost you a thing.

Once the tree is safe, you are best taking your time to get quotes and wait for the right price. If it is due to a storm, you might have to wait for a few weeks before getting a tree service out. Once all the emergency work has died down, they will begin quoting normal prices again.

Land clearing is a different service to just regular tree removal. A lot of the time you are clearing land because you want to build a home or commercial building.

Calling a tree removal company is the expensive option. In this case you are best going with a construction company with heavy machinery. In most cases you are going to want the land levelled as well as the tree removed. This is something a tree company cannot do, so you are best getting a medium to large construction company with the right equipment to do both services at the same time.

This will save you time and surly a lot of money in the process.

Finding cheap tree removal services is not as hard as you think. Follow these steps to 50% or greater savings:

1. Don’t go with the companies at the top of search results. They pay a lot to be there and will pass those costs onto you.

2. If you are not in a rush, hire in winter. By hiring in the off-season you will save 20-30% off regular prices. This is due to an over-supply of tree services and very little demand.

3. Get a gardener to do the job. Tree services generally charge twice as much as gardeners. This is only valid for trees 15ft (I story house height) or smaller. Anything larger will need to be done by a certified arborist.

4. Use GoTreeQuotes FREE services to request 3 quotes from local tree services. All recommended have been voted “best priced” by previous users. These are obligation free quotes.

Removing a tree yourself is only recommended if the tree is 15 feet in height or smaller. Trees that are larger than this will require the expertise of a certified arborist.

Trying to removing a tree whilst on a step ladder is extremely dangerous and is not recommended. If you can do the job while on the ground, then go for it. If not, please call a professional.

Cost of chainsaw hire

You will need to hire a chainsaw which normally costs about $60 for a half day hire or $90 for a full day. You will need to brush up on your chainsaw safety skills first, but this is generally something they can run through with you at the hire shop.

Green waste dumping fees

Green waste can be expensive to dump, so if possible it is recommended that you dispose of it over time in your green waste bin, or wait for a city clean-up and place the waste material from your tree removal on the side walk.

It all starts with an Internet search! That’s how you got to this page and that’s how you’re going find the cheapest tree services, but what you don’t want go with the companies that you find on page 1 of Google search, Yellow pages or even Yelp.

But why?

The problem with page 1 companies is they have all paid a pretty penny to be found first. It is no accident that they’re at the top of the results, they’re not on page 1 by accident.

Why is bad for you?

Because tree services with large marketing budgets need to pass those costs on to consumers. It’s just how it works, they’re not trying to rip you off, they just have a different marketing strategy.

They go for a large volume of customers and higher prices which they feel yields them more profit at the end of the month or year.

Pro tip #1: if you want to find the cheapest tree cutting service near you, start by skipping page one of Google, Yellow pages, Yelp, True Local etc.

Now that you know where to look for better priced tree companies, next you need to know WHEN to look.

All small businesses, especially trades, have no real fixed prices for their service. They just make up the price on the spot. It’s not like a taxi service or buying groceries, they can charge what they like.

If you can catch a company that doesn’t have a lot of work on, chances are they will give you a better price. Let me explain…

If a tree services business has 3-4 weeks of work booked and it advance, more than likely they will start to rise their prices to try and slow down the amount of work that is coming in.

The opposite is true when they have very little on.

During winter for example, when there is very little work going around, tree companies are handing out much cheaper prices to the tune of 20 to 30% discount. This is because very few companies have any work on at all and I willing to drop their prices to win the work.

Pro tip #2: If you can’t wait for winter, you can just ring up a prospective tree company and say “hey I was hoping to get a tree removed in the next few days, how much work do you have on at the moment? Can you help?

By their reaction will know how much work they have on and how likely they are to give you a good price.

People make the mistake of thinking because the company is in high demand, they are handing out cheap prices. It’s just not true.

It’s a bit like asking how long a piece of string is… The answer is it depends. There are a lot of factors that go into pricing tree trimming. You can imagine that removing a huge branch of an oak tree would cost a lot more than removing a few small fronds off a palm tree.

That being said I can tell you that the average price in 2019 for tree trimming is $438.

That is an average across the board, if you were looking for a price for a single palm trim for example it would cost you about $75.

Then again if you want to price to remove a multitude of branches of large trees you’re probably looking closer to $2500.

I guess it all comes down to the volume of branches that need removing, but more importantly how long the job is going to take.

For more detailed and accurate prices, please use the tree trimming cost calculator below or check out our detailed tree trimming cost guide.

In general your zip code does not dictate how much a tree will cost to cut down, so we can give you a fairly accurate price just based on the national average is so far for 2019.

The average cost for tree removal is $847. That price includes trees as small as 15ft. right up to 80ft. monsters.

Below we have a tree removal cost calculator out where you can quickly and easily get an accurate price, but to be honest you are the best just biting-the-bullet and getting 3-4 quotes from local tree cutting services.

GoTreeQuotes is a FREE service that matches customers with the best price local tree services in real time.

We can go into a lot of detail about tree removal and tree trimming costs, but the best way is to just get a few companies to come around and give you a price.

By requesting quotes using our service, you’ll be put in touch with 3 companies all voted as best price by previous uses for tree trimming and removal in your area.

As discussed above, prices quoted by tree cutting services fluctuate depending on how much work they have on, so using our real-time service we are able to pinpoint with a reasonable amount of accuracy who is the best price tree service near you.

Once you start getting a few prices from local tree cutting services, you will find that there can be a large variation in price is quoted. Generally your medium to large companies will quote you higher prices. The reason being they generally spend a lot more money on marketing and need to pass that cost onto the customer.

Remember when comparing quotes you can really only compare apples to apples, meaning you can’t look at a friends’ quote and say this company is charging me twice as much for a similar job. Although two trees being removed may look similar, there are quite a few things that add to the price such as location on property, access to the tree and not to mention size and difficulty to remove.

At the end of the day the longer it takes to cut a tree down, more a tree cutting service will charge you.

Tree removal price – The national average so far in 2019 for tree–Removal is $847. This is for a single tree in suburbia. This price includes trees starting at 15 feet and ranging all the way up to 80 feet, so for more accurate price I do suggest you consult your local tree cutting service or the calculator tool below.

Tree trimming cost – The cost for tree trimming does vary depending on the size of the tree in question and the number of branches being removed. Another factor is obstacles. Does the branch stretched out over the roof of a house or is it over a shed or a fence. Tree trimming generally starts at $75 for a single palm trim, but the average cost for tree trimming is about $438.

Arborist report cost – This is one service where prices are generally fixed for each company so they will be able to quote you a price over the phone. The cost of a tree arborist report is normally $350-$450. I do suggest that you ring around and ask prices before you get an arborist out to inspect the job.

Tree inspection price – This is something that doesn’t usually have a fixed price and most companies generally don’t claim to charge for, it just depends on the purpose for the inspection.

A lot of the time you will have a branch or whole tree that you know needs removal and you want to confirmation from the arborist. This generally happens during the quoting process so you could call it a tree inspection.

If you have no intention of getting any tree work done and you just want your trees looked at by a professional purely out of interest, to see if they are safe, I can imagine an arborist charging about $150 for this service. Unlike an arborist report there will be no formal report written and just verbal recommendations.

Stump grinding cost – This is a service most tree companies can do. They do need to have a stump grinding machine to perform stump removal. About 80 to 90% of companies do have this machinery, but if they don’t they can put you in touch with someone who does.

The cost of stump grinding gently starts at $75 and can range right up to six or $600 for much larger stumps.

Fill in the below form with the details about your tree cutting job. We then forward those details onto the 3 companies closest to you who have been voted No.1 on price by previous users.

Winter is always going to be the best time of year to get tree cutting service to maintain your trees. This is because tree service generally have a lot less work on during the colder months and would be happy to charge cheaper prices to win your work.

Tree cutting is a services that does not charge by the hour. This is because every tree service is different with different overheads.

For example you have 2 companies who both bid to remove a 30 ft. pine tree