Cost guides › Tree removal

United States

Tree removal cost by height

Removing one medium tree, about 30 to 50 ft tall, with stump grinding, cleanup and haul-away typically costs $1,250, with most jobs between $970 and $1,600 before sales tax. Cutting the tree down and hauling it off but leaving the stump is about $1,000; grinding the stump and filling the hole with topsoil and seed is around $1,350. Change the height, the site and whether the wood stays in the calculator.

Most homeowners pay

$970 – $1,600National average · 1 · before sales tax
Typical: $1,250
Labour $909Materials $340Work hours: 18.8

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Regional estimate

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mid-range, typical

Cost by region

Alabama: $1,150Alaska: $1,450Arizona: $1,250Arkansas: $1,150California: $1,400Colorado: $1,400Connecticut: $1,400Delaware: $1,200District of Columbia: $1,450Florida: $1,200Georgia: $1,200Hawaii: $1,400Idaho: $1,300Illinois: $1,350Indiana: $1,200Iowa: $1,250Kansas: $1,250Kentucky: $1,200Louisiana: $1,150Maine: $1,400Maryland: $1,250Massachusetts: $1,450Michigan: $1,250Minnesota: $1,400Mississippi: $1,050Missouri: $1,250Montana: $1,400Nebraska: $1,250Nevada: $1,250New Hampshire: $1,400New Jersey: $1,300New Mexico: $1,200New York: $1,400North Carolina: $1,200North Dakota: $1,300Ohio: $1,250Oklahoma: $1,150Oregon: $1,400Pennsylvania: $1,250Rhode Island: $1,400South Carolina: $1,200South Dakota: $1,150Tennessee: $1,200Texas: $1,200Utah: $1,300Vermont: $1,400Virginia: $1,250Washington: $1,450West Virginia: $1,100Wisconsin: $1,300Wyoming: $1,250
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LocationBasicMid-rangePremium
Alaska$1,200$1,450$1,600
District of Columbia$1,200$1,450$1,600
Massachusetts$1,200$1,450$1,600
Washington$1,150$1,450$1,550
California$1,150$1,400$1,550
Colorado$1,150$1,400$1,550
Connecticut$1,150$1,400$1,550
Hawaii$1,150$1,400$1,550
Maine$1,150$1,400$1,550
Minnesota$1,150$1,400$1,550
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Montana$1,150$1,400$1,550
New Hampshire$1,150$1,400$1,500
New York$1,150$1,400$1,500
Oregon$1,150$1,400$1,500
Rhode Island$1,150$1,400$1,500
Vermont$1,150$1,400$1,550
Illinois$1,100$1,350$1,500
Idaho$1,050$1,300$1,450
New Jersey$1,050$1,300$1,400
North Dakota$1,050$1,300$1,400
Utah$1,050$1,300$1,400
Wisconsin$1,050$1,300$1,400
Arizona$1,000$1,250$1,350
Iowa$1,000$1,250$1,350
Kansas$1,000$1,250$1,350
Maryland$1,050$1,250$1,350
Michigan$1,000$1,250$1,350
Missouri$1,000$1,250$1,350
Nebraska$1,000$1,250$1,350
Nevada$1,000$1,250$1,350
Ohio$1,000$1,250$1,350
Pennsylvania$1,050$1,250$1,400
Virginia$1,000$1,250$1,350
Wyoming$1,000$1,250$1,350
Delaware$990$1,200$1,300
Florida$980$1,200$1,300
Georgia$1,000$1,200$1,350
Indiana$1,000$1,200$1,350
Kentucky$970$1,200$1,300
New Mexico$990$1,200$1,350
North Carolina$1,000$1,200$1,350
South Carolina$970$1,200$1,300
Tennessee$980$1,200$1,300
Texas$970$1,200$1,300
Alabama$950$1,150$1,300
Arkansas$960$1,150$1,300
Louisiana$940$1,150$1,250
Oklahoma$960$1,150$1,300
South Dakota$950$1,150$1,250
West Virginia$890$1,100$1,200
Mississippi$880$1,050$1,200

What's included

Mid-range

What affects the cost

Height and trunk size

Taller trees take more climbing, more cuts and more rigging, and they produce far more wood to handle. A thick hardwood trunk also takes longer to cut and grind than a pine of the same height.

What is underneath

A tree in open lawn can often be dropped in one piece. Over a roof, fence, garage or power line, every limb has to be cut and lowered on ropes, which takes a larger crew and more time.

Crane removals

Very large or dead trees that are unsafe to climb, or that hang over a house, may need a crane. It adds a day rate but can make a dangerous job faster and safer.

Stump grinding

Most removal prices do not include the stump. Grinding it below the surface lets you replant grass or a bed; a rotted stump left behind can attract pests and sprout.

Wood and debris

Hauling logs and chips away costs extra time and dump fees. Keeping the wood for firewood or the chips for mulch saves money if you have space.

Tree condition

Dead, split or storm-damaged trees are unpredictable to climb and cut. Emergency and after-storm work is priced higher than a scheduled removal.

How to save

  • Book in late fall or winter when tree services are less busy and leaves are down.
  • Have several trees or a stump grinding done in one visit to share the crew's travel and setup.
  • Keep the logs for firewood or the chips for mulch instead of paying for haul-away.
  • Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation; an uninsured crew is a false saving.

Grants, tax and rules

Permits and HOAs

Many cities protect large or heritage trees and require a permit before removal, and HOAs may have their own rules. Check with your city or HOA before booking the work.

Sales tax

Sales tax rules on services vary by state. Our figures are before sales tax.

Frequently asked questions

How much does tree removal cost?

A medium tree of about 30 to 50 ft with the stump ground and everything hauled away costs around $1,250 before tax. Leaving the stump brings it to about $1,000.

How much does it cost to remove a large tree?

Choose the large or very large height in the calculator to see the price for your area. Trees over 80 ft, or those hanging over the house, often need a crane, which adds a significant day rate.

Is stump grinding included in tree removal?

Usually not unless the quote says so. Our mid-range price includes grinding the stump below the surface; the basic price leaves it cut flush.

Will homeowners insurance pay to remove a tree?

Generally only when a covered peril knocks the tree onto an insured structure, and then usually up to a limit. Removing a healthy or dead tree as a precaution is normally your own cost.

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in my yard?

It depends on your city. Many require a permit for large or protected species, and some also ask for a replacement tree. Check before the crew arrives.

How this estimate is calculated

Work hours: 18.8 · Labour: $909 · Materials: $340

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates; market check: One 30-50 ft tree in a typical yard, stump ground, debris hauled, before tax. HomeGuide tree removal cost (4 Feb 2026: under 30 ft $200-500, 30-60 ft $500-1,500, 60-80 ft $850-2,000, over 80 ft $1,200-2,500+); HomeGuide stump grinding ($120-400 first stump); Fixr tree removal (crane-assisted $1,500-2,500, permits $60-150, chipping $50-100).

Last reviewed September 26, 2026 · How we calculate costs · Editorial policy