How Much Does Tree Trimming Cost?
On average, professional tree trimming costs about $300 to $700, with the majority of house owners spending $475. A minor tree pruning job might cost as little as $80 for certain households, while a huge tree over 60 feet tall could cost as much as $1,267.
Many factors determine your overall price, including the number of trees that need to be trimmed, the health condition of the tree, and the location of the tree. It may be more expensive if you also need a tree or stump removed.
Our price chart makes determining your entire cost easier, whether you require a big tree trimmed or extra tree services.
The Price of Tree Trimming
- National Average Cost: $475
- Typical Range: $315 to $700
- Low End: $85
- High End: $1,267
Keep in mind that these are just national averages, and your overall price will vary dependent on a number of factors.
Cost Calculator by Tree Size
The size of the tree has the biggest influence on your tree trimming fee.
For huge trees, a tree trimming contractor will need to bring in heavy-duty equipment, which raises prices. Trimming large trees is also riskier than trimming small trees. The more dangerous the job, the higher the cost.
What this means is that trimming large trees takes more time, effort, tools, and risk than trimming small trees, which is why tree trimmers frequently charge more for taller trees.
Regarding tree trimming, tree sizes typically fall into three categories: small, medium, and large. The measurements listed below are used by most tree care businesses to determine the scale of the tree (however other tree care services may use different measurements):
Some Factors That Influence Tree Trimming Prices
Aside from the size of your tree, the following factors influence the cost of tree trimming:
- Location: Where the tree is located
- Accessibility: How easy it will be to get to the tree to trim it
- Number of trees: More trees to be trimmed
- Tree health: Some tree diseases make trimming them more dangerous.
- Pests: These can be a sign that your tree is rotting, which can make trimming riskier.
The more difficult and dangerous the task, the more compensation you can expect to pay.
Is your tree close to your house or near to a power line? A tree trimmer will need to take extra steps to avoid damaging electricity lines or other nearby structures if tree limbs fall.
Because tree pruning requires more effort, equipment, and personnel to be done properly, your bill will almost certainly be greater.
Pro Tip: If your tree needing trimming is near a power line, call your utility company. If a tree is close to a power line, many utility companies will offer to trim it for free.
Accessibility
You’ll spend more to have your tree trimmed if it’s in a difficult-to-reach location.
To reach a tree’s highest point, most professional tree trimmers use a bucket truck. If there isn’t enough surrounding room for the truck, they’ll have to use another method, such as climbing, to reach the tree’s top. As a result of the added effort and danger, the ultimate cost will be higher.
Number of trees
The majority of specialists will bill you for each tree they prune. The more trees you need cut, the more money you’ll have to pay.
Tree health
The health condition of a tree has a major effect on its stability. Weather, lightning, and tree diseases can all have an impact on a tree’s overall health.
Trimming a tree that is injured, sick, or dead puts the climber at more risk. The less stable your tree is, the more safety precautions you’ll need to take to protect your tree trimmer.
The cost of tree trimming might be influenced by the presence of pests surrounding your tree.
Insects such as ants and woodpeckers indicate that the tree is decaying on the inside, making it unstable. Healthy trees can potentially be severely harmed by pests like the emerald ash borer.
If your tree is infested with pests, a tree trimmer may find it difficult to climb. As a result, the cost of trimming an unsafe tree before the branches come down will increase.
Cost of Tree Trimming Across the U.S.
Across the U.S., homeowners can expect to pay between $315 and $700 for professional tree trimming.
Keep in mind that the prices in this guideline are all based on national averages. These pricing may differ on a local level. Rates are affected by factors such as local demand and the height of typical trees in your area.
Extra Services
The following tree and yard services are frequently included with tree trimming:
- Tree removal
- Stump grinding
- Stump removal
For instance, you might need trees pruned and a stump removed to make room for a new high fence, but how much would those extra services cost, and how much money can you save by combining these projects?
How much will these extra services set you back? The following are the average tree removal, stump grinder, and stump removal costs:
Tree removal
How much would it cost to have a tree removed? The average cost of professional tree removal in the United States is $380 to $1,080, with the majority paying over $600. A little tree can be removed for as little as $150, while a large tree can be removed for as much as $1,930.
The following are some of the reasons why you might need to cut down a tree:
- Your tree is unhealthy or infested with bugs: An expert may propose a health or pest management treatment to save the tree, but if it doesn’t work, the tree may need to be removed.
- Your tree is a threat to people’s safety:A storm could knock your tree down on your property if it is too close to your building or electrical lines. To limit the chance of harm, it is advisable to remove the tree.
Stump Grinding
Stump grinding costs generally vary from $158 to $450 for the first stump, with an extra $35 to $63 for each stump after that.
The following are some of the reasons why you might wish to pay for stump grinding:
- You want to improve the external aesthetic appearance:If you have a noticeable stump in your front yard, cutting it down will enhance the home’s value to family, friends, neighbors, and potential purchasers.
- Your stump is a potential danger to one’s safety:Your children like playing in the field, but an exposed stump could lead them to slip and fall. This risk can be reduced by grinding the stump.
Stump Removal
Professional stump removal costs approximately of $326 per household. The cost of a greater project can be as much as $1,033. Some moderate projects might be as cheap as $77.
Unlike stump grinding, which keeps the stump’s root system untouched, stump removal requires removing the roots and the stump out of the ground together.
The following are some of the reasons why you might need to get a stump removed:
- Your stump is a major roadblock in the way of your landscaping plans:You’ll need to have your stump removed if it’s in the way of a fence, gazebo, or tool shed.
- The roots of the stump are generating issues: If the existing root system of a chopped-down tree is causing damage to your house or utility system, the stump must be removed.
Cost of DIY Tree Trimming
Pruning your backyard apple tree may appear to be simple job, but trimming without the necessary skills and knowledge can be harmful, even lethal. Branches can fall in a variety of ways and cause immediate injury.
Improper trimming procedures might also have a negative impact on the health of your tree. While you may be trying to save a few dollars, you run the danger of causing serious damage to your tree.
Here are some crucial safety precautions to keep in mind if you decide to do DIY tree trimming:
- Do not paint or tar the cuts: Even though these glue treatments are still available in stores, sealing your tree’s cuts is a gardening misconception. It is harmful to your tree and should be avoided at all costs.
- Avoid trimming trees on a ladder: Trimming a tree from a ladder presents a life-threatening concern. Remove the ladder and seek the help from a professional to deal with the high branches. Otherwise, use a safety belt and ropes to fasten yourself to the tree, though hiring a professional is still the safest method.
- Make sure the branches aren’t too short or too long: Your tree may be harmed if you do so.
- Wear a safety hat and a safety glasses: To protect yourself from flying pieces and falling tree branches.
- Understanding how to use a chainsaw appropriately: You risk injuring or even killing yourself if you don’t understand how to use a chainsaw properly.
- Large branches should be entrusted to the specialists: To protect your safety, leave the larger branches to the experts if you’re cutting your own trees.
- Always cooperate with a partner: An extra set of eyes will help to improve security.
Here’s what you’ll need as well as how much you may spend for DIY tree trimming:
DIY Cost Vs. Professional Tree Trimming Cost
You might expect to pay over $600 for DIY tree trimming if you don’t have the necessary tree trimming gear at your home. The average cost of experienced tree trimming is $475. If you don’t have the necessary equipment, hiring a professional is often the most value choice.
It’s important to remember that trimming short, close to the bottom branches is considerably safer than trimming larger, top branches. If you’re thinking of employing a strap, ropes, or a chainsaw, we strongly advise you to hire a pro instead.
The bottom line: Whether you have the proper DIY tree trimming tools or not, it’s always advisable to employ an expert to protect your safety and others.
