Tree removal: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What tree removal is

Tree removal cuts a tree down in sections or in one piece, lowers limbs with ropes or a crane when needed, and then hauls away or chips the wood, with stump grinding offered as an option. People need it when a tree is dead, dying, structurally failing, damaged by storm or too close to the house, power lines or other targets.

Signs you need it

  • The tree is dead or has lost most of its leaves and bark in the upper canopy
  • The trunk has a large crack, split or hollow that puts the tree's stability at risk
  • The tree leans toward the house, a garage, a fence or a power line and the lean is getting worse
  • Large limbs have dropped or the roots have been lifted, cut or damaged by construction
  • The tree is growing into the foundation, the sewer line or a neighbor's structure, and pruning will not solve it

What the pro does

  • The arborist or crew inspects the tree, checks the lean and the targets, and marks the drop zone
  • Power lines, structures and buried lines are located, and the utility is contacted if a line is involved
  • The crew sets up ropes, rigging, a crane or a lift as needed for the tree's size and the space around it
  • The tree is cut from the top down in sections, with limbs lowered under control so nothing lands on structures
  • The trunk and branches are chipped or hauled away, and the stump is left as agreed or ground down

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Tree height, trunk diameter and the number of trees to be removed
  • Lean and the direction of the fall, which change how the tree must be cut
  • Proximity to the house, fences, driveways, power lines and other targets
  • Access for the truck, chipper and crane, and whether the tree must be rigged
  • Amount of wood, chips and debris to be hauled, and whether firewood is left behind
  • Stump grinding or removal if the customer wants it
  • Any utility line work, which is handled separately from the tree crew

What a written quote should spell out

  • The tree or trees covered, with the species, size and location
  • The removal method, including rigging, crane or lift use, and the drop zone
  • How the wood, limbs and chips are removed or left on site
  • Whether stump grinding or removal is included, and the depth of the grind
  • Cleanup of the site, including raking the chips and sweeping the drive
  • The insurance held by the company, with proof available on request

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Are you licensed where my area requires it, and can you show current insurance?
  • Who on the crew is the certified arborist, and will they inspect the tree before you quote?
  • How will you protect my house, fence, driveway and any power lines during the work?
  • Do you handle the utility contact if a line is involved, and who pays for line work?
  • How much of the stump will you grind, and do you remove the roots?
  • Do you take the wood and chips, or leave some for me?
  • What happens if the tree falls somewhere unexpected, and who covers any damage?

Red flags

  • They start cutting without inspecting the tree or checking for power lines
  • They cannot show proof of insurance or name the people who will climb and cut
  • They offer a removal on the spot, with no written quote or contract
  • They ask for full payment before the work starts
  • They say the tree must come down without explaining what they found

What you can do yourself

A homeowner should not remove a tree, cut it into sections, or use a chainsaw on any tree that is leaning, under tension or near a structure. Removal of a tree near a house, a power line or a road is a job for a licensed tree service with the equipment and insurance to do it safely. Call a licensed tree service for any tree that is large, damaged, leaning or close to lines.

Licenses and permits

Tree removal is commonly licensed or registered in many areas, and crews working near structures or power lines often need insurance and special training. Check with your state or local licensing agency and the utility rules where you live before you hire.

Tree removal questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree?

Some areas require a permit for removing certain trees, especially in certain zones or if the tree is protected. Check with your local permit office before the work starts, and ask the tree company whether they handle the permit.

What happens to the stump after the tree comes down?

The stump can be left, ground down below the surface, or removed by digging. Ask the crew what they include, how deep the grind goes, and how they will fill the hole so the area can be used.

Can a tree company remove a tree that is on a neighbor's property?

Only with the neighbor's permission. Check ownership and the rules for shared trees before you book. If a tree is leaning onto your property, ask a licensed arborist to assess it and explain your options.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More lawn, landscaping and trees guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request tree removal