Every tree accumulates deadwood. Based on the tree’s size, this situation can pose significant risks since the deadwood will ultimately fall. Additionally, failing to remove deadwood can adversely affect the tree’s well-being.

The average cost range to deadwood a tree is $250 to $950. Prices are based on tree size and amount of deadwood.

Removing deadwood on a routine basis will help the tree heal and is very beneficial for its vitality.

removing deadwood from tree

Deadwooding is the removal of dead or dying branches from a tree. As a tree grows new branches, not all of them make it. Some are attacked by pests or fungus or don’t get enough light. When these branches die, the practice of removing them is called deadwooding.

Benefits of deadwooding a tree

Deadwooding is a very common practice in arboriculture and is done to improve:

Tree appearance – Firstly, a tree looks great after it has been deadwooded. 

Reduce risk of injury – Deadwood on large trees can be a real hazard. They can break tiles on a roof as they fall, damage cars and cause serious injury to anyone unlucky enough to be struck by one.

Tree health – Once a branch does, as tree will begin to try and heal the wound. While the branch is still attached, this is not possible. They will fall off in time, but removing them fast and safely will help the trees heal time, which in turn helps the overall health of the tree.

A dead tree branch is a super highway to the heat of the tree and allows pests, water, and disease to enter the tree’s heartwood, which is not good. Removing deadwood is vital to a trees lingevity.

Cost of pro deadwood removal by tree size

When it comes to the cost of deadwood removal, the type of tree, the location, and the size of the tree are some of the factors that contribute to the overall cost of removing deadwood.

Trees that are close to fences, roofs, sheds, or other structures require additional care when pruning large branches and this will contribute to the high cost of labor.

Size of the treeAverage cost to deadwood
Small (10 - 20 Feet)$250 - $525
Medium (20 - 30 Feet) $390 - $720
Large (30 - 50 Feet)$500 - $1,200
Extra-Large (50 - 100 Feet)$740 - $2,000
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Cost to deadwood a tree by species

The cost to deadwood a tree varies from one tree to the next. Fruit trees are most demanding of pruning and many of the fruit trees grown across America are spurring types. A spur is a small branch that flowers and grows fruit. Proper pruning helps produce more spurs and, therefore, more fruit. The table below shows some common trees with average pruning costs.

Type of treeAverage deadwooding costs
Oak$850 - $1,700
Maple$400 - $1,000
Sycamore $400 - $1,000
Eucalyptus$850 - $1,500
Pine$400 - $750
Cottonwood$400 - $850
Dogwood$400 - $650
Spruce$300 - $700
Connifer$300 - $600
Plum$200 - $500
Pear$250 - $550
Fig$250 - $550
Apple$300 - $600
Peach$350 - $700
Olive$350 - $700
Avocado$350 - $700
deadwooding an oak tree

How often should you deadwood a tree?

There is no fixed timeframe required to deadwood your tree. It depends on the nature of the tree and how often it produces deadwood. On average, 3- 5 years is recommended to assess your tree for the presence of deadwood. Once you can figure out a handful of deadwood on the tree, then it’s time to call an arborist.

When is the best time to deadwood a tree?

Deciduous trees that lose their leaves seasonally are best pruned when they’re dormant. This is usually in late fall or winter. If you prune trees in the spring when they begin to leaf, they’ll run sap and it may be difficult to heal at the cut. Such trees will become vulnerable to disease and insects and lead to long-term damage.

You might trim the lower branches occasionally to make the spaces accessible. For pine trees, trimming should be done in early spring just before new growth starts. You can also trim a pine tree in mid-summer when they’re semi-dormant at that time.

Deadwood removal services near me

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Ben McInerney
Author: Ben McInerney - Ben is a qualified arborist with 15 plus years of industry experience in Arboriculture. He ran a successful tree service before turning to writing and publishing. Ben is dedicated to providing users with the most accurate up-to-date information on everything trees.