On average, you can expect to pay $430 to $640 for professional tree trimming. You might pay as little as $78 for a small tree or closer to $1,835 for a large tree over 60 feet tall.
Many factors will affect your total cost, including how many trees need trimming, the tree’s health, and where the tree is located.
In this guide, we’ve gathered data from both big and small cities in the U.S. Whether a large tree needs trimming or you want additional tree services, our pricing guide makes estimating your total cost easy.
Cost by Location
Costs for tree trimming can vary depending on where you live. For instance, urban areas usually have a higher cost of living, which drives up costs. On the other hand, rural areas and smaller towns generally have lower labor costs.
The table below shows a snapshot of the costs of a professional trim trimming service across the country:
| City | Average Cost Range Per Tree (Including Labor and Materials) |
| Northeast U.S. | |
| Pawtucket, RI | $403 – $598 |
| New York, NY | $588 – $870 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Dothan, AL | $344 – $512 |
| Orlando, FL | $387 – $577 |
| Atlanta, GA | $379 – $565 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| South Bend, IN | $444 – $659 |
| Chicago, IL | $482 – $715 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Salem, OR | $441 – $655 |
| Seattle, WA | $476 – $707 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| Houston, TX | $373 – $555 |
| Roswell, NM | $368 – $547 |
| San Diego, CA | $478 – $710 |
Cost by Tree Size
The most significant factor affecting the cost of tree trimming service is the tree’s size.
A tree trimming company will need to bring in heavy-duty equipment for large trees, which drives up costs. Trimming large trees also poses a greater safety risk than small trees. The riskier the job, the more expensive.
Here are the typical associated costs for each tree size:
| Tree Size (In feet) | Average Cost Per Tree |
| Under 30 | $85 – $415 |
| 30 – 60 | $215 – $790 |
| Over 60 | $475 – $1,835 |
Cost by Type of Tree
The price to trim trees is greatly influenced by the type of tree. For instance, crepe myrtle trees, which are usually small and manageable, typically cost less to trim.
On the other hand, larger and more robust species such as cypress trees, oak trees, pine trees, and palm trees usually cost more. They are characterized by their towering heights and thicker, more substantial branches, which demand more effort, time, and sometimes specialized equipment to trim properly.
| Tree Type | Average Cost Per Tree |
| Crepe myrtle | $78 – $350 |
| Palm | $100 – $1,330 |
| Cypress | $150 – $1,200 |
| Pine | $210 – $1,630 |
| Oak | $230 – $1,480 |
DIY Cost vs. Professional Tree Trimming Cost
Trimming a tree is more complicated than it appears, and undertaking this task without the proper experience and training can prove dangerous, even deadly. Improper trimming techniques can also affect your tree’s health.
If you don’t already have the necessary tools, you can expect to pay up to $600 for a chainsaw, ladder, ropes, handsaw, pruning shears and other gear. So, hiring a professional is likely the most affordable option.
If you’re determined to do it yourself, here are a few articles that may help:
- How to Trim a Tree
- What Tools do You Need to Trim Trees?
- Common Tree Trimming Mistakes
- When is the Best Time to Trim, Prune Trees?
Other Factors that Affect Cost
Besides the size of your tree, other factors that affect the cost of tree trimming include:
The Location of the Tree
Is your tree located next to a power line or close to your home? A tree trimmer will need to take extra precautions – at greater expense – to ensure that no falling tree branches damage the power lines or surrounding structures.
Tip: If the tree needing trimming is near a power line, call your utility company. Many utility companies will trim a tree for free if it’s near a power line.
Accessibility
If your tree is in a hard-to-reach area, you will pay more for it to be trimmed.
Most professional tree trimmers use a bucket truck to reach a tree’s tallest point. If there isn’t enough room for the truck, they may need to climb the tree. The additional labor and risk will lead to a higher overall cost.
Number of Trees
Most professionals will charge for each tree they trim. The more trees you need to have trimmed, the more you will pay.
Tree Health
A tree’s health often has a significant impact on its stability. Weather damage, lightning strikes, and tree diseases can all affect a tree’s overall health.
If a tree is damaged, unhealthy, or dead, trimming the tree puts the climber at greater risk. The less stable your tree is, the more precautions will need to be put in place to ensure your tree trimmer’s safety.
Pests
The presence of pests around your tree can influence the cost of a tree trimming job.
Pests like ants or woodpeckers are usually a sign that the tree is rotting on the inside, making it unstable. Pests, such as the emerald ash borer, can also cause significant damage to healthy trees.
If your tree is home to pests, it may be unstable for a tree trimmer to climb.
FAQ
You may have seen the terms “trim” and “prune” used interchangeably, but these two tasks mean different things, and hence, the cost to prune a tree might differ from the cost to trim a tree:
• Trimming enhances the appearance and aesthetics of a tree. There is usually no concern for the health of the tree.
• Pruning keeps your plant healthy as opposed to adding aesthetic value. Pruning involves removing certain parts of the tree to promote health and new growth, such as diseased or dead branches.
Most mature trees need trimming every three to five years. Young trees need trimming every two to three years. Fruit trees should be trimmed annually, while most evergreen trees can go years without a trim.
The Bottom Line
It’s always best to hire a professional tree trimmer, especially for those larger branches and bigger trees. Trimming a tree may look easy, but it’s a dangerous task to carry out without the proper training. To ensure your safety, call a local tree care professional near you who can take the loppers off your hands.
Maria Isabela Reis contributed to this article.
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Main Image Credit: Bart Lumber / Flickr / public domain
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