How much does it cost to remove a 60-foot tree?

As of 2026, a large tree in the 60-to-80-foot range typically costs $1,500 to $5,000 to remove in US markets, and more if it overhangs a house, sits near power lines, or needs a crane. Height alone is only part of it — trunk diameter, condition and access matter as much. A tall but slim, healthy tree in an open yard is far cheaper than a shorter, massive-trunked one wedged between structures. Get itemized local quotes.

Does tree removal cost include stump grinding?

Usually not — stump grinding is commonly quoted separately and adds roughly $100 to $500 per stump as of 2026, depending on diameter, or more for very large stumps. Full stump and root removal costs more than grinding. Haul-away of the logs and debris may also be a line item. When comparing bids, confirm exactly what is included: felling only, felling plus cleanup, and stump work can be three different prices.

Why is removing a tree near power lines more expensive?

Trees touching or near utility lines require extra safety measures, sometimes utility coordination or a temporary line de-energizing, and slower, more careful rigging — all of which add cost and can push a routine removal into the $5,000-plus range. In some areas the utility company handles trees contacting their lines at no charge, so call them first. Never attempt a removal near live lines yourself; it is a leading cause of serious injury.

Do you need a permit to remove a tree?

Sometimes, and it is strictly local. Many cities protect certain species, sizes (often by trunk diameter) or heritage trees and require a permit — occasionally with a replanting requirement — while rural properties often have none. HOAs add their own rules. Removing a protected tree without a permit can bring substantial fines, so check with your municipality or county before scheduling. This page covers cost, not the permit rules where you live.

Is it cheaper to remove a dead tree?

Not necessarily — often the opposite. A dead, rotten or storm-damaged tree is more dangerous to climb and rig because limbs and the trunk can fail unpredictably, so many arborists charge more for hazardous removals, not less. A tree that has been dead a long time and is structurally unsound may require a crane or a bucket truck rather than a climber, adding cost. Emergency removal after a storm also carries a premium.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Large Tree? (2026)

Written & researched by Elena Marsh Gardening & Landscaping Editor

Updated October 2026

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As of 2026, removing a large tree usually costs $1,000 to $5,000 in US markets, rising to $5,000 to $15,000-plus when a crane, power lines, hazardous rigging or difficult access are involved. The price is driven by height and trunk diameter, how close the tree is to buildings and power lines, its condition, and whether equipment can reach it. Stump grinding, log haul-away and emergency call-outs are usually separate charges. If the stump is being left in place on a species that resprouts, ask about a cut-stump treatment instead: Penn State Extension advises treating the living tissue immediately after cutting, with late-summer and fall applications preferred. These are national ballparks; regional labor rates and your specific site swing the number, so get itemized quotes from insured, certified arborists.

How does size change the price?

Arborists price largely by size and difficulty, because both drive labor hours and equipment. These are installed 2026 US ranges.

Tree size	Approx. height	Typical cost (2026)
Medium-large	30–60 ft	$800–$2,000
Large	60–80 ft	$1,500–$5,000
Very large / difficult access	80+ ft	$3,000–$8,000
Hazardous or crane-required	Any	$5,000–$15,000+

Trunk diameter matters as much as height — a squat, thick oak generates far more wood and rigging than a tall, slender poplar of the same height.

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What pushes the price up?

Four factors move a quote most. Proximity to structures forces piece-by-piece rigging instead of a simple fell, multiplying the labor. Power lines add safety measures and sometimes utility coordination. Poor access — no path for a chipper or bucket truck, or a backyard reachable only by hand-carrying limbs — adds hours. And a crane, needed when a tree is too big, too hazardous, or too boxed-in to climb safely, is a large fixed cost that can add several thousand dollars. A healthy tree in an open front yard with truck access is the cheap end; a dead giant overhanging a roof between two houses is the expensive end.

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What is usually not included?

Read a quote for what it leaves out. Common separate charges, as of 2026:

Add-on service	Typical cost (2026)
Stump grinding	$100–$500 per stump
Full stump & root removal	$300–$1,500+
Log haul-away / debris removal	$50–$500
Wood chipping on site	Often included; confirm
Emergency / storm removal	Premium of 25–100%

When comparing bids, make sure each covers the same scope — felling only versus felling plus full cleanup and stump can look like very different prices for the same tree.

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Do you need a permit, and who should do it?

Tree removal is often regulated locally. Many municipalities protect trees above a certain trunk diameter, protect specific species, or designate heritage trees, and require a permit — sometimes with a replanting condition — before removal. HOAs may add rules of their own. Penalties for removing a protected tree without approval can be steep, so check with your city or county first; the local ordinance is the authority, not this page. Separately, if grinding or excavation is involved, the 811 before-you-dig service asks you to call a few business days ahead of any digging project, including fence posts and planting trees. On the who: large-tree removal is genuinely dangerous work involving chainsaws at height, heavy rigging and often power lines. Hire a certified arborist carrying liability insurance and workers' compensation, and confirm both before work starts — if an uninsured cutter is hurt on your property, you can be liable.

The bottom line

Budget $1,000 to $5,000 for most large trees and more when a crane or power lines are in play, and expect stump grinding and haul-away to be extra. Removing a tree usually reshapes a yard, so it pairs naturally with how to plan a yard layout and front yard curb appeal. For where the whole project sits in a budget, see the landscaping cost guide.

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How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Large Tree?