Estimate what it costs to remove a tree based on height, trunk diameter, condition, and access. Using 2026 national averages.
LotSite starting assumption
LotSite starting assumption
The prices filled in here are LotSite starting assumptions, not quotes and not sourced prices. Prices differ by region and supplier, so type in a local quote and the estimate will use it.
The base range is a LotSite starting assumption, not a national average and not a quote, and prices vary by region and by company. Get 2-3 quotes from licensed arborists for your specific tree, and type their figures into the base price fields to see how condition and access move them.
Professional arborists price removal jobs from a height-based base rate, then layer on risk multipliers for everything that makes the job slower or more dangerous: trunk diameter, the tree's condition, and how hard it is to get a crew and equipment to it. A short, healthy tree in an open yard is a quick drop-and-chip job; a tall dead tree wedged between a fence and a service line is a piece-by-piece rigging operation that can take a full day.
This calculator follows that structure. Height sets the base range, trunk diameter positions you within it, and condition and access apply a percentage on top. The base ranges and the percentages are LotSite starting assumptions, not sourced figures and not national averages. The result is a planning range, not a quote. Only an arborist who has seen the actual tree can give you one of those.
Species matters more than most people expect. Hardwoods like oak, maple, and walnut cost more to remove than softwoods like pine and cedar, because dense wood is heavier to rig and slower to cut. Species isn't built into this calculator to keep it simple, but it's worth knowing when you compare quotes.
Stump grinding is a separate service. It is priced by the size of the stump, and this calculator does not estimate it. It's usually not included in a tree removal quote, so if you want the stump gone, ask specifically.
Debris and haul-away varies by company. Some removal quotes include chipping and hauling everything away; others treat it as an extra, billed by the hour or by the load. Confirm what happens to the wood before you sign.
Permits are common. Some cities require a permit for removing trees above a trunk size they set, or for protected and heritage species, even in your own yard, and the fees vary. Always check locally before scheduling a removal.
Emergency work costs real money. Emergency removals cost more than scheduled work, and a true after-hours emergency, a tree on the house at 11pm, costs more again. The calculator adds 50 percent for an emergency as a starting assumption. If the tree is down but not threatening anything, scheduling the removal for a normal weekday costs less.
Removing several trees at once is cheaper per tree. The crew is already on site, so ask for a per-tree price when you have more than one. If you can wait, ask whether the company is cheaper in its slow season, when trees are dormant.
Before quotes come in, it helps to know the property itself. Use the free satellite measuring tool to measure the property the tree is on, lawn, beds, and the space you'll reclaim, or find your lot size by address.
Also check out our full calculator suite and the DIY vs. hiring guide