Tree Removal Cost Calculator

Estimate tree removal cost by height, trunk diameter and site access, with stump grinding priced as a separate add-on, sourced from Angi's 2026 national data.

Project Details

1. How tall is the tree?

Height is the biggest single driver of cost, and it does not scale in a straight line -- a tree over 80 ft often needs a crane, which is a jump in cost, not just a bigger number.

A mature mid-size shade tree -- the most common residential removal.

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2. Trunk diameter

Height and access drive the removal price above. Diameter mainly matters for stump grinding below, which is priced per inch of trunk.

3. Site access

Open ground for equipment, nothing overhead to work around.

4. Stump grinding

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Priced separately from removal, by trunk diameter -- leave it unchecked if you only need the tree down and plan to deal with the stump later, or if you're grinding a stump with no removal involved.

5. Haul away the wood and debris?

Some quotes include hauling the cut wood and debris away; others bill it separately. Check this if your quote doesn't already include it -- Angi puts haul-away at roughly 10-20% on top of the base removal cost.

6. Protected or heritage tree?

Many cities protect large, old, or specific native species and require a permit before removal. Permit fees vary too widely by municipality to estimate honestly here -- checking this adds a reminder to check with your city rather than a made-up number.

Tree removal cost is driven mainly by height, and not in a straight line -- a tree over 80 ft often needs a crane, which is a jump in price, not just a bigger number. This calculator prices removal by height tier, adjusts for how hard the tree is to access, and prices stump grinding as its own optional add-on billed by trunk diameter.

Reviewed by Usama, Civil EngineerHow we source our numbers

How it works

  1. Pick the tree’s height tier -- this is the single biggest cost driver, and the calculator loads a national base price range for it that you can overwrite with your own quote.
  2. Enter the trunk diameter. Height and access set the removal price; diameter mainly determines the stump-grinding cost below, which is priced per inch.
  3. Choose the site access level. A tree near power lines or in a tight, hard-to-reach spot costs meaningfully more to remove safely than one in open ground.
  4. Toggle stump grinding on or off. It is priced and shown separately, since removing a tree and grinding its stump are two decisions, not one.
  5. Toggle wood/debris haul-away if your quote does not already include it, and flag a protected or heritage tree to get a reminder to check local permit requirements.

Tree removal cost by height, and site-access adjustments

HeightBase removal costNotesSource
Under 30 ft$150 – $500A small ornamental or young tree. Often removable without heavy rigging.Angi 2026 Tree Removal Cost guide
30-60 ft$500 – $1,000A mature mid-size shade tree -- the most common residential removal.Angi 2026 Tree Removal Cost guide
60-80 ft$800 – $2,000A large mature tree. Expect roped, sectional removal.Angi 2026 Tree Removal Cost guide
Over 80 ft$1,500 – $3,000Often needs a crane to reach the upper canopy -- add roughly $500 for the crane and truck rental.Angi 2026 Tree Removal Cost guide
Near structures or fences+$200-$1,000Extra care and time to fell safely near a building, fence or other trees.Angi 2026 Tree Removal Cost guide
Power lines or very tight accessx1.25-1.5Specialized equipment and trained crews for work near electrical lines or in cramped yards.Angi 2026 Tree Removal Cost guide
Stump grinding$2-$5 per diameter inchPriced separately from removal.Angi 2026 Stump Grinding Cost guide
Wood/debris haul-away10-20% of removal costOptional -- some quotes already include it.Angi 2026 Tree Debris Removal Cost guide

Why height is not a straight-line cost

A 30-ft tree can cost as little as $150 to remove; Angi's 2026 data puts a tree over 60 ft at $800 to $2,000, and trees past 80 ft often need a crane on top of that, adding roughly $500 for the crane and truck rental alone. The jump between tiers is not smooth because the equipment and crew needed genuinely change at each threshold -- a climber with a chainsaw handles a 30-ft ornamental, while an 80-ft hardwood needs rigging, sectional cutting, and sometimes aerial equipment. That is why this calculator uses height tiers with their own base price, rather than one flat rate multiplied by feet.

Access and hazard: the second-biggest driver

Angi's data is direct on this: expect to pay 25% to 50% more for a tree in a tight, hard-to-reach or unsafe spot, and trees near power lines or structures typically add another $200 to $1,000 on top of the base cost. In the most extreme cases -- a large hardwood tangled in power lines near a house -- total cost can run well past $10,000. Any tree that could contact a power line during removal should only be handled by a trained, insured crew; several utilities require the power company to de-energize the line before a tree service can legally work near it.

Why stump grinding is priced separately

Removing a tree and grinding its stump are two different jobs that happen to often get bundled into one quote. Angi prices stump grinding on its own, at roughly $2 to $5 per inch of trunk diameter -- a 24-inch stump therefore runs about $48 to $120 to grind, independent of what the tree above it cost to take down. Some homeowners remove a tree and leave the stump for later (or forever); others have a stump from a tree that came down in a storm with no removal cost at all. Pricing it as a toggle keeps the total honest for either situation.

Wood and debris haul-away: sometimes billed separately

Some tree service quotes include hauling the cut wood and debris away in the base price; others bill it as a separate line item. Angi puts that add-on at roughly 10% to 20% on top of the base removal cost -- toggle it on above if your quote does not already include it, so the total reflects what you will actually pay.

Protected and heritage trees: a permit cost this calculator will not guess

Many cities and counties protect large, old, or specific native species and require a permit -- with its own fee -- before they can be removed, regardless of what the removal crew charges. Permit fees are set locally and vary enormously by municipality, so rather than invent a number, checking the protected-tree box above shows a reminder to check with your city or county before hiring.

Getting a real quote

This is a national planning estimate, not a bid. Get at least two written, itemized quotes from insured arborists or tree services before hiring, and confirm the price includes hauling the wood and debris away -- that is sometimes billed separately. For any tree near a power line, verify the company carries liability insurance specifically for utility-adjacent work; this is not a place to hire the cheapest unlicensed option.

Further reading

Frequently asked questions

How much does tree removal cost?

Nationally, tree removal runs about $150 to $3,000 or more depending mainly on height, per Angi's 2026 data. A small tree under 30 ft can run as little as $150-$500; a large tree over 80 ft commonly runs $1,500-$3,000 before crane fees or hazard adjustments. Enter the tree's height, trunk diameter and access above for a number specific to your job.

How much does it cost to remove a large tree?

A tree over 80 ft typically runs $1,500 to $3,000 to remove, often plus roughly $500 more for a crane if the canopy can't be safely reached without one. Large trees tangled near power lines or structures can run well past $10,000 in extreme cases -- get a written quote rather than assuming the base range applies.

How much does tree removal cost near power lines?

Expect 25% to 50% more than a standard removal, per Angi's data, or a flat $200-$1,000 add for a tree simply near a structure or power line without direct contact risk. Trees actually touching or overhanging power lines need trained, insured crews and sometimes utility coordination to de-energize the line first -- this is not a job for the cheapest available quote.

How much does stump grinding cost?

About $2 to $5 per inch of trunk diameter, according to Angi's 2026 data -- a 12-inch stump runs roughly $24-$60, a 30-inch stump roughly $60-$150. This calculator prices it as a separate line item from tree removal, toggle it off if you only need the tree taken down.

Is stump grinding included in tree removal cost?

Not usually, and not in this calculator by default assumption -- though the stump-grinding toggle is checked by default since most homeowners want both. Removal and stump grinding are billed separately by most tree services because they're genuinely different jobs: felling and hauling the tree versus grinding the remaining stump down. Uncheck it above if you're only pricing the removal.

How much does it cost to remove a small tree?

A small or young tree under 30 ft typically costs $150 to $500 to remove -- the cheapest height tier, since it usually needs no rigging or crane and a smaller crew.

What is the average cost to remove a medium-sized tree?

A mature mid-size tree in the 30-60 ft range -- the most common residential removal -- typically runs $500 to $1,000 in clear, easy-access conditions.

Does tree diameter affect removal cost?

Less than height does. Height and site access set the base removal price in this calculator, since they drive the equipment, rigging and time needed. Trunk diameter mainly affects the stump-grinding add-on, which is priced directly per inch -- a wider stump takes the grinder longer regardless of how tall the tree was.

How much does emergency tree removal cost after a storm?

This calculator prices standard, scheduled removal. Emergency removal -- a tree down on a structure, blocking a driveway, or leaning dangerously after a storm -- typically costs more due to after-hours rates and urgency, and is usually quoted separately by the tree service based on the specific hazard.

How much does it cost to remove a tree from a tight backyard?

Expect 25% to 50% more than open-access pricing, per Angi's data, since a tight or hard-to-reach yard often rules out a bucket truck or crane and forces manual, roped sectional removal instead -- more time, more labor, same tree.

How much does a tree removal permit cost?

This calculator doesn't include permit fees, since they vary by city and are sometimes required for large or heritage trees, especially on a property line or in a protected zone. Check with your local municipality before removal -- some cities fine homeowners for removing a protected tree without a permit, regardless of whose property it's on.

Should I get multiple quotes for tree removal?

Yes -- get at least two written, itemized quotes from insured arborists or tree services before hiring. Confirm each quote includes hauling the wood and debris away, since that is sometimes billed as an extra. Use this calculator's range to sanity-check the quotes you receive, not to negotiate a company down to it.

What's the cheapest way to remove a tree?

A small tree in open, easy-access conditions with no stump grinding is the cheapest scenario this calculator prices -- often $150-$500. Height and access are the two levers that matter most; a homeowner cannot change the tree's height, but clearing obstacles or improving equipment access before the crew arrives can sometimes avoid a hazard-tier surcharge.

How is tree removal cost calculated?

Start with a base price for the tree's height tier, since height is the primary driver and does not scale linearly -- a crane requirement past 80 ft is a step change in cost, not a gradual increase. Add a hazard adjustment if the tree is near structures or power lines, or if access is tight. Add stump grinding separately, priced per inch of trunk diameter, only if you want the stump ground down too.

Where our numbers come from