As a homeowner, you may be able to tackle lawn maintenance and small landscaping projects, but removing trees, no matter the size, is no easy task. A professional tree care service cuts down the tree and removes it for you. However, the prices for these services can vary from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Some trees are difficult to remove, but other factors such as your location, the type of tree, and its accessibility also affect the total. If you are considering felling a tree off your property, the following are common factors that influence the cost of a tree felling:
How much does it cost to cut down a tree?
The cost of felling a tree varies widely and depends on numerous factors. Mallory Micetich, home improvement expert at home improvement network Angi, says tree removal can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000 per tree, with an average cost of $750. However, if you need to remove multiple trees, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $6,000 per hectare, depending on the density of the forested land.
Larger tree removal is typically more expensive due to the equipment required, the amount of debris to be removed, and the complexity and risk of the job. Tree felling is also expensive due to the high insurance premiums that tree felling companies have to pay for liability insurance.
However, these are not the only determining factors for pricing.
Location
Tree felling prices depend on where you live. The cost of tree felling in a rural area might be lower as there is more space to work there. However, remote locations may incur additional travel expenses. Living in an area with a higher cost of living can also affect the cost you pay to cut down trees on your property.
size of the tree
“Removing large trees is typically more expensive than removing smaller ones because it requires specialized equipment and more labor time,” says Micetich. “Removing small trees under 30 feet costs a few hundred dollars, while removing larger trees over 80 feet can cost several thousand dollars.”
Trees with thicker trunks can also cost more. It is much easier to remove a tree with a narrow trunk, such as a palm tree, than a tree with a wide trunk.
tree species
Some tree species are more difficult to remove than others due to their height, width, and extensive root systems, which can drive up the price. According to Micetich, here are the average removal costs for some popular tree species:
- Cedar and Pine: $250 to $1,500
- Palm: $650 to $1,500
- Ashes: $250 to $1,800
- Aspen: $1,000 to $1,800
- Oak: $200 to $2,000
- Maple: $250 to $2,000
- Japanese Knotweed: $2,000+
state of the tree
If 50% of the tree is in poor condition, it should probably be removed, according to the University of Maryland Extension’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. An unhealthy tree can pose a safety hazard to you and those around you. A severe storm can potentially topple the tree and damage your property or even your neighbor’s.
“Because unhealthy trees are brittle, they can be cheaper and easier to remove than healthy trees,” says Micetich. “On the other hand, sometimes diseased trees require expensive specialized equipment to fell them safely. Talk to your professional about the health of your tree for an accurate estimate.”
urgency
If a tree falls on your roof during a storm, you need to remove it and clean it up as soon as possible. Because of this, emergency tree removal can cost more than removal planned weeks in advance.
Your home insurance may cover part of the cost of removing a tree or branch that has fallen on your property. Check with your insurer before paying for tree felling.
Accessibility
If the tree is near obstacles such as a fence or pool, or if its branches are tangled in power lines, this can increase the complexity and price of the service. “Inaccessible trees require more time and resources to properly remove them,” says Micetich. “If your tree is in an unsafe or hard-to-reach place, you have to add 25 to 50% more for the distance.”
If the tree is dead or decaying, can’t be safely reached with a cherry picker, and requires additional equipment to dismantle and remove the tree, you can expect a higher price tag, says a spokesman for Wright Outdoor Solutions, an arboriculture, lawn and and landscaping companies in Iowa.
Additional considerations for tree removal costs
Unless you just want the tree cut down and nothing else, you need to consider additional costs, e.g. B. grinding the tree stump or removing and clearing debris.
Most homeowners don’t want the stump to be left behind, but it may not be part of your original estimate. According to HomeAdvisor, the nationwide median price for a stump removal is $348. Grinding, which is grinding down the stump with a machine without having to dig it up, costs between $100 and $400.
When you cut down a tree, you also leave behind waste—trunk, branches, and leaves—that the arborist can either toss in a wood chipper, haul away, or chop up for firewood. If this additional service was not included in your estimate, HomeAdvisor averages wood chopping at $75 to $125 per hour, debris hauling at $50 to $100, and log splitting at $75 to $100 per tree.
When to Consider Tree Removal
The diseased, decaying tree in your yard is an obvious choice, but not all signs are so obvious. Unhealthy trees can pose a significant safety hazard and most removal jobs are unsafe for the average homeowner. A certified arborist is trained to assess a tree’s health. However, according to Wright Outdoor Solutions, there are a few signs to look out for:
- Has the tree population declined in recent growing seasons? Diseased or insect-infested trees also typically pose a threat. Dutch elm disease and oak wilt are usually irreversible once infected and can lead to a state of decline.
- Are there mushroom cones or fungi growing on the bark or root suckers? Mushroom cones or mushrooms growing on the bark or on the ground can be wood decay fungi and cause structural or stability problems.
- Will there be construction work near a mature tree in the future? Trees, particularly mature trees, can be severely affected by soil destruction around the root zone during construction, grading, or when adding additional soil fill over the existing root zone.
- Is the tree structurally defective and has serious defects beyond repair? Faster growing trees tend to be lightly forested. Tree branch angles or branch attachment connections can become loose due to poor connections. Strong winds can also break branches from the canopy or possibly split branches or entire tree trunks.
Removing trees yourself may not be the best idea
Removing trees yourself might be able to save you money, but a 2018 Rutgers University study published in Science Daily found that tree trimming injuries account for about 80 worker deaths and 23,000 chainsaw injuries each year are responsible. Most of these injuries were due to inadequate training and equipment.
Tree felling should be left to certified arborists and tree felling professionals. Not only do they have the skills and equipment to fell trees safely, they are also properly insured. Even top-notch companies and well-trained crews experience accidents that can result in injury or costly damage. Therefore, liability insurance is a must.
How to find a professional tree removal company
The Wright Outdoor Solutions spokesperson recommends finding an arborist that has reputable qualifications, comprehensive insurance, and ISA-certified arborists. ISA certification ensures that arborists have gained a level of knowledge in tree care through experience and have passed exams developed by leading tree care professionals.
You can check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the company is accredited and has a good reputation. BBB accreditation can be a good indicator of a reputable company. The service you hire should also have liability insurance and workers compensation insurance. Request proof of insurance or call the insurance company to verify.
Get quotes from several companies to get an idea of what’s normal for your area. When you meet a representative to get an estimate, ask questions about the process and the costs included in the price.
“Finding a good professional is all about research,” says Micetich. Don’t forget to ask people you know for recommendations. “Ask your friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations, and make sure potential professionals have good reviews online,” she adds.
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