Clearing Trees From Land: Cost per Tree and by Size
What clearing trees from land costs per tree, how size and access change the price, and when permits and stump grinding push the total up.
Clearing trees from land typically costs $2,100 per tree for a standard job, with a usual range of $1,600 – $2,700. Basic jobs start at $1,750, and complex ones reach $2,250 or more per tree. All figures include GST.
That per-tree figure is a starting point, not a quote for a block. Clearing several trees is priced differently from a single removal, and the biggest swings come from tree height, access, stumps and permits.
Why clearing a block is priced differently
A single-tree job carries fixed costs: travel, setup, a crew and a chipper on site. When an arborist clears many trees in one visit, those costs are spread across the lot. That is why we don't simply multiply the single-tree figure by the number of trees.
Clearing work is usually priced on the mix of trees you have:
- Size. Taller trees take longer, need more crew and produce more waste.
- Access. A tree on open ground that can be felled in one piece is far cheaper than one rigged down in sections over a roof.
- Volume of material. Chipping, hauling and tip fees grow with the amount of timber.
- Machinery access. Clear, firm ground lets larger equipment work, which can lower the per-tree cost on big blocks.
We build our estimates from labour hours × local rates plus equipment and disposal, then check them against market prices and real quotes.
Cost by tree size
Height is the first thing any arborist asks about. Here is how our mid-range figures move with size:
| Material | Typical | Usual range | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small, up to 9 m (30 ft) | $1,150 | $890 – $1,500 | – |
| Medium, 9-15 m (30-50 ft) | $2,100 | $1,600 – $2,700 | – |
| Large, 15-24 m (50-80 ft) | $3,400 | $2,650 – $4,450 | – |
| Very large, over 24 m (80 ft) | $5,950 | $4,650 – $7,750 | – |
As a rough guide to the extremes:
- A small tree, up to 9 m, comes in at $1,150.
- A very large tree, over 24 m, comes in at $5,950.
If your block has a mix, count trees in each height band and price them separately. A few large trees will usually outweigh a long row of small ones.
Access matters as much as height
Two trees of the same height can differ widely in cost depending on what is around them. Our model separates three situations:
| Situation | What it means for the job |
|---|---|
| Open ground | Felled in one piece, fastest and cheapest |
| Typical garden | Taken down in sections to protect lawns and beds |
| Near buildings | Rigged down over a roof, fence or power line, slowest and dearest |
For example, a medium tree on open ground ($1,450) costs noticeably less than the same tree in a tight garden ($2,100). Rigging a tree near buildings ($3,000) adds more again. On a rural block, many trees fall in the open category. In a suburban backyard, most don't.
Stump grinding: a separate line item
Felling a tree leaves a stump. A quote that says "cut flush" usually leaves it in the ground. Grinding it out below the surface is an extra, and the price depends on stump diameter and root spread.
Grind stumps if you plan to:
- build, pave or lay a driveway over the area;
- plant lawn or garden beds;
- avoid regrowth or a trip hazard.
Leave stumps if the land will stay as paddock or bush. On a block with many trees, grinding every stump can add a lot to the total. Ask for it to be priced per stump so you can choose which ones to do.
Permits and approvals
Rules on removing trees vary by state and council, and also by tree size, species, location and zoning. We can't give you a single answer here. Some trees need no approval, while others need a permit or consent before anyone touches them. Native vegetation and protected trees often have tighter rules.
Check with your local council before you book, because removing a tree without approval can lead to penalties. Where a permit is needed, add it to your budget: our model includes a permit or consent option, which you can see in the tree removal cost guide. Ask the arborist whether the quote includes the application, or whether you need to apply first.
How to get a fair price for clearing
- Count and measure. List trees by height band and note which ones are near buildings or power lines.
- Ask for itemised quotes. Felling, chipping, haulage, stump grinding and permits should each show separately.
- Decide what happens to the timber. Leaving logs or mulch on site can reduce the haulage cost.
- Compare at least three quotes. If one is far above or below the rest, ask what has been left out or added.
- Check the licence and insurance. Tree work near power lines and at height carries real risk.
Before you accept a price, run it through our quote checker (the "is my quote fair" tool). It compares your quote with the live cost model, so you can see whether it sits within a typical range for your tree sizes and access.
Related cost guides
Clearing is often the first step of a bigger project. If you're preparing the ground for building, see our guides on New driveway, Fencing and Decking. For the tree work itself, our Tree removal guide has the full breakdown.
The short version
- Expect $2,100 per tree as a typical figure, within $1,600 – $2,700.
- Size and access drive the price more than the number of trees.
- Stump grinding and permits are the two most common add-ons.
- Get itemised quotes and check them before you commit.