Most tree removals run about $400 to $1,800 nationally, with a common average around $850 to $900. In Springfield and across the Ozarks, prices often fall at or below those national averages, but the real answer depends far more on the tree's difficulty than its height alone.
A 60 foot tree in an open front yard can be simpler than a 35 foot tree hanging over a house behind a fence. We see that every week. The homeowner sees two trees that look about the same size. Our ISA Certified Arborist sees access, lean, decay, power lines, drop zones, and whether every limb has to be lowered on a rope.
Typical tree removal costs by size
These are useful starting ranges, but they are not a substitute for looking at the tree in person.
- Small trees, up to about 30 feet: roughly $150 to $450
- Medium trees, about 30 to 60 feet: roughly $450 to $1,200
- Large trees, about 60 to 80 feet or more: roughly $1,000 to $2,000 or more
- Large, complicated removals: can run $4,000 or more
- Simple small removals: may be closer to $200
Stump grinding is usually separate from the tree removal price. Most stump grinding runs roughly $150 to $525, depending on the stump size and root system.
That separation catches some folks off guard. When you ask for an estimate, ask whether stump grinding is included, quoted separately, or not part of the work. It is better to know that before the crew arrives than to assume the stump is coming out with the tree.
Why two same-size trees can cost very differently
Tree removal is not priced like carpet by the square foot. Height matters, but the amount of controlled work matters more.
Here is what we look at before giving a price.
Access to the tree
Access decides a lot. If we can get a bucket truck or crane close to the tree, a large removal can go faster and safer. That can help hold the cost down.
Now take that same tree and put it in a fenced backyard with only a gate for access. No truck can get close. The climber has to go up, cut manageable pieces, and rig them down one at a time so nothing lands where it should not. Same tree height. Very different job.
The mistake I watch homeowners make is comparing a backyard estimate to what their neighbor paid for a tree in an open front yard. Those prices may not be comparable at all.
What is under the tree
A tree that can be safely felled into an open area is generally less involved than one over a roof, driveway, fence, shed, or pool.
When a limb is above a house, we cannot simply cut and hope it falls in the right place. It has to be controlled. That means planning the cut, tying in the rigging, lowering the piece, resetting, and doing it again. A removal that looks quick from the ground may be a long day in the tree.
Power lines and utility conflicts
Trees near power lines require extra caution. This is not a place for a homeowner, or for somebody with a chainsaw and a pickup, to take chances.
If lines are involved, the removal gets more complicated because the work has to be planned around the hazard. Safety comes first. The lowest price should not be the deciding factor on that job.
Dead, damaged, or unstable wood
A dead tree is often harder to remove than a healthy one. Dead limbs can break unexpectedly. A storm-damaged tree may be hung up, cracked, or leaning in a direction nobody likes.
Emergency and storm removals can cost more because of the added hazard and possible after-hours response. They are also prioritized by safety risk. A tree resting on a house or blocking access is a different situation from a limb sitting harmlessly in the yard.
Species, wood weight, and lean
A large oak is not the same as a lighter tree of the same height. Dense hardwood means heavier pieces to handle and more careful rigging.
Lean matters too. If a tree naturally leans toward an open drop zone, that can simplify the work. If it leans toward the house, lines, or a neighbor's fence, the crew may need to dismantle it in smaller sections. That takes more time and more rope work.
What is usually included in a tree removal estimate?
Every company writes estimates differently, so ask. A clear estimate should spell out the work rather than leave you guessing.
For example, you want to know:
- Whether the quoted work is tree removal only
- Whether stump grinding is included or separate
- Whether access limitations affected the price
- Whether the tree will be climbed and rigged down in pieces
- Whether proof of general liability and workers' comp insurance is available
At Canopy Tree Service, we believe the homeowner should understand why the number is what it is. If the access is tight or the tree is over the roof, we will tell you. If it is a straightforward removal and you do not need a crane or complicated rigging, we will tell you that too.
We are straight shooters. And yes, we rake the yard before we leave.
Can I remove a tree myself?
For a small tree in an open area, with no power lines, no structures underneath, and a clear place for it to fall, some homeowners can handle it themselves. Be honest about the size of the tree and your experience before you start.
Once the tree is large, leaning, dead, near a roof, close to utility lines, or trapped behind a fence with limited access, it is worth calling a professional. The hard part is rarely starting the saw. The hard part is controlling every piece after the cut.
We have been called after a homeowner realized halfway through that the tree could not safely go where they expected. That is not a good point to be making a plan. If you are unsure, have our ISA Certified Arborist look at it before anyone cuts.
The cheapest tree removal quote can cost the most
This is the part homeowners need to hear plainly. Be careful with the lowball bid from uninsured guys with a chainsaw.
A legitimate tree company carries general liability insurance and workers' comp insurance, and should be willing to show proof. That coverage protects the homeowner if a limb goes through a roof or a worker is hurt on the property. If an uninsured crew has an accident, the problem can land on you and your insurance policy.
Insurance is part of what you are paying for. So is trained, controlled work around your home.
If you are comparing tree removal quotes in Springfield or elsewhere in the Ozarks, compare the access plan, the hazard level, stump grinding, and insurance proof, not only the bottom-line number. Call Canopy Tree Service at (417) 210-5325 for a straightforward look at the tree and an honest estimate.
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