Tree Removal Costs

If you are planning to get rid of a tree, expect to spend anywhere between $200 and $2000. If your tree is neither too small nor too large, its removal cost may lie between $400 and $1200. The typical medium-sized tree will cost $750 to bring down. 

When estimating the tree removal cost, professionals in West Palm Beach consider a variety of factors. These factors will either drive the cost up or keep it low. Below, we will take a look at these factors and the exact effect they will have on the amount needed to get rid of different trees. 

Factors Affecting the Tree Removal Cost in West Palm Beach 

1. Tree Size 

The time needed to remove a tree is largely dependent on tree size. When removing a tree taller than 150 feet, professionals have to spend a lot of time analyzing the tree and its surroundings. This will help determine everything in the tree’s path and the ways that will be used to avoid property damage. 

When removing a 30-foot tree, less time will be spent on planning. Also, compared to the 150 feet tree, the 30-foot tree is less heavy and can be managed with less complicated gear. 

When it comes to tree diameter, the tallest trees tend to have the biggest diameters too. Tree removal involves sawing through the tree stem – therefore, the bigger the diameter, the more time needed to cut the tree down. All this indicates that taller trees have a higher tree removal cost than the small and average-sized trees. 

Small Tree Removal Cost 

If your tree has a height of below 30 feet, professionals will classify it in the small category. Examples of trees that fit in this category include: 

• Magnolia 
• Japanese maple 
• Crepe myrtle 
• California juniper 
• Dogwood 

These trees can be removed in under 2 hours. Professionals will charge between $150 and $400 to remove the small trees. 

Medium Tree Removal Cost 

Trees in this category have a trunk diameter of 15 to 19 inches and tend to grow to heights of 30 – 60 feet. In West Palm Beach, Medium trees include: 

• Small varieties of red oak 
• Crap apples 
• Red maple 
• Copper wood

Professionals need an average of 4 to 8 hours to remove medium trees. Tree removal experts will charge you $450 to remove the trees. 

Large Tree Removal Cost 

For a tree to fit in the large category, it needs to be taller than 60 feet but shorter than 100 feet. The trees have a trunk diameter of 20 – 24 inches. Examples of large trees in West Palm Beach include: 

• Big varieties of red oak 
• Sycamore 
• Conifer 

Depending on the team handling large tree removal, the procedure can take one or more days. On average, however, the tree removal cost ranges from $900 to $1,200. 

Very Large Tree Removal Cost 

These trees have the highest tree removal cost, thanks to their heights of above 100 feet and diameters of more than 24 inches. In West Palm Beach, trees classified in this category include: 

• Eucalyptus 
• Palm 
• Sequoia 
• White pine 

These trees take multiple days to remove. Professionals charge $1,300 – $2000 to get rid of the trees. 

2. Crane Assisted Tree Removal 

Most of the trees in the large and very large categories are too heavy to be removed with the basic tree removal tools. To minimize the chances of the tree getting out of control and falling on buildings or other utilities, professionals prefer to work with a crane. 

The cost of renting a crane is taken care of by the tree owner. Renting a crane for one day will set you back $200 to $600, depending on the crane’s power. You will also need an extra $50 to $100 for the crane operator. 

If the tree removal professionals had quoted $1,800 to remove a 100-foot oak tree, this cost may increase to between $2000 and $2500 if you have to rent a crane. 

3. Tree Species 

The height of a tree will vary depending on tree species. The wood hardness is also affected by the species of the tree. 

At maturity, oak trees will reach heights of 100+ feet. This makes the oak trees extremely heavy which complicates the tree removal process. Crepe myrtle will not exceed 30 feet in height. In addition to being light, the tree will be much easier to bring down considering its wood is extremely soft. 

Oak Tree Removal Cost 

Your oak tree will mature at heights of between 60 and 100 feet. The tree’s removal cost changes depending on its height. You will pay $200 to $800 to get rid of oak trees with heights of between 30 and 80 feet. However, when the tree’s height reaches 80 to 100 feet, professionals may charge $800 to $1200. 

Magnolia Tree Removal Cost 

Magnolia trees fit in the small tree category, with most of them maturing at heights below 30 feet. Magnolias are extremely easy to bring down. Professionals will charge $375 to $500 to remove your magnolia tree. 

Sycamore Tree Removal Cost 

Sycamores are medium-sized trees, growing to heights of 30 to 60 feet. Depending on how tall your sycamore is, you will spend between $600 and $900 on its removal. 

Pine Tree Removal Cost 

One of the tallest trees in West Palm Beach, pine trees grow to heights of 80 to 150 feet. This makes pine one of the costliest trees to remove. Tree removal experts will charge you $1500 to over $2000 to remove the mature trees. However, if the tree is not mature – meaning it is smaller – you could pay $200 to $1000 to remove it. 

4. Tree Condition 

The tree removal cost is affected by a variety of conditions. The conditions that make tree removal hard increase the cost while those that make tree removal easier reduce the cost. Below, we have outlined the conditions common in West Palm Beach: 

Decay and Cavities 

When removing trees with cavities and signs of decaying, professionals have to worry about the tree’s stability. In extreme cases, professionals may need to use other methods of tree stabilization. This will minimize the chances of the tree falling unexpectedly but will increase the tree removal cost.

Weak Branches 

These can fall on the tree removal experts. Also, the branches might fall on your house, causing property damage. To avoid injuries and property damage, tree removal experts prefer to prune the tree before removal – this can increase the tree removal cost. 

Multiple Trunks

Trees with multiple trunks may increase the time needed to bring a tree down – this, however, happens if the link between the trunks is weak. When the link is weak, professionals have to remove the trunks one by one, which can increase the time needed – this will result in a higher tree removal cost. 

Fallen Tree Removal Cost 

If your tree has fallen on open ground, the cost of removal will be much lower – this is because most of the work has already been done. For such trees, the tree removal cost will range between $75 and $150. 

Sometimes, however, trees do fall on buildings. The tree removal for such trees will be costlier because more work will be needed to minimize damages. 

Dead Tree Removal Cost 

Compared to live trees, dead trees are generally lighter. This makes their removal simpler. To remove a dead tree, you may spend $75 to $400 depending on its size and how complicated the entire procedure is. 

5. Additional Tree Removal Costs

The services and costs mentioned below are not covered by the quoted tree removal cost. In most cases, you will pay for them separately: 

Tree Chipping 

Tree chipping involves cutting the tree trunk into smaller pieces for hurling away. The service costs $$50 to $100. 

Wood Splitting 

The tree removal professionals can convert the tree trunk into firewood. You will, however, need to pay $50 to $100 for the wood splitting service. 

Travel Fees 

If you hire professionals who reside too far away from your home, you will end up spending $0.5 per mile covered. This can add up to $50 to $200. 

Permits and Licenses 

When removing trees taller than 10 feet, professionals are required to get permits and licenses. These can cost $60 to $150. 

Inconvenience Cost 

If you invite professionals to handle emergency tree removal, they will have to deal with a lot of inconveniences to get to your home within the shortest time possible. This will attract an inconvenience charge of 10% of the normal tree removal cost. 

Stump Removal Cost 

To get rid of a stump after tree removal, you pay an extra $100 to $150. However, to remove multiple stumps, the following costs may apply: 

• Per stump – The first stump may cost you $150. Each of the remaining tree stumps may cost you $50. 
• Per hour – Each hour professionals spend removing tree stumps will cost you $150. 
• Per diameter inch – You will spend $2 to $3 on each diameter inch. However, most professionals will have a minimal cost of $100.