Tree Removal Costs

In Tampa, property owners spend $200 to $2000 to get rid of a tree. The upper limit is much lower for people with medium-sized trees, with most of them spending $400 to $1,200. People with trees under 30 feet tall spend the least amount of money on tree removal, with professionals charging them $150 to $400. 

The tree removal cost is affected by a wide variety of factors. In the following sections, we will take a deeper look at how tree size, accessibility, and other factors affect the tree removal cost. 

Factors Affecting the Tree Removal Cost in Tampa, Florida 

1. Tree size 

The cost of removing a tree changes depending on both tree height and the trunk diameter. However, since the trunk diameter is dependent on the tree height – that is, the trunk diameter increases with height – professionals often consider the height more. 

In Tampa, you will be charged $8 to $15 per foot of your tree height. This cost shows why you’ll be charged $800 to $1,500 for your 100-foot white oak while someone with a 30-foot tree will only pay $240 to $450. 

Taller trees are generally heavier than small trees – this makes it much harder to control their falling path. Also, the taller the tree, the bigger the area under risk during the tree’s removal. For these reasons, the tree removal experts may spend a lot of time planning the removal of large trees – they may also need more advanced machines. 

In addition to all this, the biggest trees have a bigger trunk diameter. Cutting through a trunk with a diameter of 15 inches will be much easier than cutting through a large tree trunk with a diameter of 25+ inches. These complications generally lead to a higher tree removal cost for bigger trees. 

Small Tree Removal Cost 

Trees that fit in the small category have a trunk diameter of 15 inches and below. These trees will have a maximum height of 30 feet. Professionals find it extremely easy to remove the small trees, with the entire procedure generally taking under 2 hours. To remove small trees, professionals charge $150 to $400. 

Medium Tree Removal Cost 

Medium-sized trees have a mature height between 30 and 60 feet. The removal process for these trees takes an average of 4 to 8 hours, with professionals having to cut through a trunk with a diameter of 15 to 19 inches. Professionals will charge you $350 to $750 to remove your medium-sized trees. 

Large Tree Removal Cost 

Large trees grow to be 60 to 100 feet tall. Their trunk diameter sits between 20 and 24 inches. Professionals need 1 or more days to bring down a large tree safely. This procedure will set you back $900 to $1,200. 

Very Large Tree Removal Cost 

These trees have a height of above 100 feet. Their trunk diameter is generally above 25 inches. To remove a very large tree, tree service providers may need a couple of days. This procedure will cost you $1,300 to $2000. 

2. Crane-Assisted Removal 

If you have “large” or “very large” trees standing in risky positions – this could be next to a building or the powerlines – a crane may be needed to make the removal process safe. The crane will control the tree’s falling direction, keeping it from falling on the utilities and causing damage. 

In Tampa, Florida, the tree owners are often required to take care of the crane’s rental cost. To rent a crane for a day in Tampa, FL, you will spend $200 to $600. You will also need an additional $50 to $100 to hire a professional crane operator. 

If your 160 feet white pine would cost $2000 to remove without a crane, the tree removal cost may increase to between $2250 and $2700 if a crane is needed to make the procedure safe. 

3. Tree Species 

Different tree species have varying trunk diameters, heights and complications during tree removal. White pine grows to be over 150 feet tall. Compared to the removal of a crape myrtle with a height below 30 feet, the white pine will have a higher tree removal cost. 

The cost of removing a tree is also affected by wood hardness. Hardwood trees generally take more time to cut compared to softwood trees – this means that the hardwood trees may feature a higher tree removal cost. 

Oak Tree Removal Cost 

Oak trees are available in a wide variety of subspecies. Medium species will reach maturity at a height of 30 to 60 feet – these varieties will cost you $200 to $800. Large oaks mature at a height of 60 to 100 feet – these will cost you $800 to $1200 to remove. 

Sycamore Tree Removal Cost 

Sycamores are medium-sized, with most of them fitting in the height range of 30 – 60 feet. To get rid of a sycamore tree, professionals will charge you $600 to $900. 

Pine Tree Removal Cost 

Regular pines have a height of 80 to 100 feet. However, the tree can grow to be over 150 feet and may need removal when it is as small as 40 feet. Depending on your pine’s height, its removal will cost you $200 to $2000. 

Eucalyptus Tree Removal Cost 

This is one of the largest trees – the tree can reach a height of more than 200 feet with a trunk diameter of above 70 inches. To add to this, the tree is made up of hardwood. For this reason, eucalyptus has one of the highest tree removal costs, with professionals charging $1,300 to $3000. 

Conifer Tree Removal Cost 

Although conifer trees can be over 100 feet tall, their removal procedure is generally easier than that of other tree species in the same height range. This makes conifers more affordable to remove, with professionals charging $800 to $1,100. 

Maple Tree Removal Cost 

Maple trees grow to a height of more than 100 feet at maturity. The tree has a complicated tree removal procedure and often takes multiple days to bring down safely. Professionals will charge you $100 to $1,700 to remove your maple tree. 

4. Tree Condition 

Several conditions may alter the tree removal procedure. These include: 

• Dead trees – Compared to live trees, dead trees are generally dry and thus less heavy. This makes them more affordable to remove, with professionals charging $75 to $400. 
• Fallen trees – For most of these trees, all the work needed in bringing a tree down is generally complete. This lowers the tree removal cost, putting it between $75 and $150. 
• Cavities and decays – These conditions suggest that the tree may have a weak point. Extreme care has to be used to bring the tree down as a whole, avoiding breakage which could drop the tree on nearby utilities. Decays and cavities tend to increase the tree removal cost. 
• Weak branches – If the branches on your tree may crack and fall during tree removal, pruning may be needed to increase safety. The extra service may push the tree removal cost up. 
• Significant lean – Leaning trees are easier to remove if there is nothing under them. When these trees are leaning over utilities, their removal may be costlier than trees standing straight up. 

5. Accessibility 

Trees that have no important utilities surrounding them are generally easier to bring down. All that is needed for such trees is cutting at the base. 

Trees surrounded by houses and utility lines need more work to keep them from causing damage on their way down. This may lead to a higher tree removal cost. 

6. Additional Costs and Services 

In addition to the costs included in your quotation, you may find yourself paying for other services and expenses. Some of the additional costs to expect include: 

• Tree Chipping – For an extra $25 to $100, you can get the tree removal experts to chop the tree trunk into small portable pieces for disposal. 
• Wood splitting – This involves converting the tree trunk into firewood. You may be charged $50 to $100 for wood splitting. 
• Inconvenience costs – You will deal with inconvenience costs when you need a tree removed quickly. For example, if you need emergency tree removal, professionals may have to work odd hours. This may attract an inconvenience cost of about 10% of the normal tree removal cost. 
• Travel fees – You will be charged $0.5 per mile if you decide to work with a team that has to travel a long distance to get to your home. This cost can add up to about $50 to $200. 

Stump Removal Cost 

After bringing your tree down, tree service providers can help you with stump removal for $100 to $150. However, if you have a large area with several stumps, the following costs may apply: 

• Per stump cost – You may be charged $150 for the first tree stump. For each of the remaining stumps, you will need to pay $50. 
• Diameter inch cost – You will spend $2 to $3 on every diameter inch, with the minimal cost being $100. 
• Hourly cost – Professionals charge $150 per hour when removing tree stumps.