Tree Planting Cost in Massachusetts (2026)

Planting the right tree in the right place is one of the best investments you can make in your property. A well-placed shade tree adds $1,000 to $10,000 in property value and cuts cooling costs by 15 to 35 percent. But what does it cost to plant a tree in Massachusetts in 2026?

McDonald Tree Service handles tree planting across Billerica and our 18-town service area. We plant the tree, guarantee it, and can maintain it for years to come. Here is what it costs.

Tree Planting Cost by Size

Tree Size at Planting	Tree Cost	Installation Cost	Total Cost
Small (5-6 ft, 1-1.5\" caliper)	$100 – $300	$150 – $300	$250 – $600
Medium (8-10 ft, 2-2.5\" caliper)	$250 – $600	$200 – $400	$450 – $1,000
Large (12-14 ft, 3-3.5\" caliper)	$500 – $1,200	$300 – $600	$800 – $1,800
Specimen (16+ ft, 4\"+ caliper)	$1,000 – $3,000+	$500 – $1,500	$1,500 – $4,500+

Most homeowners choose medium-sized trees in the $450 to $1,000 total range. These establish quickly and provide noticeable shade within 3 to 5 years.

Best Trees to Plant in Massachusetts

Choosing the right species matters more than anything. Here are our top recommendations for Middlesex County based on 30 years of planting experience:

Best Shade Trees

Species	Mature Height	Growth Rate	Why We Recommend It
Red Oak	60-75 ft	Fast (2 ft/year)	Tough, beautiful fall color, handles MA winters well
Sugar Maple	60-75 ft	Moderate (1-1.5 ft/year)	Iconic New England tree, spectacular fall foliage
Red Maple	40-60 ft	Fast (2+ ft/year)	Adaptable to wet or dry sites, early fall color
Tulip Tree	70-90 ft	Fast (2-3 ft/year)	Fastest shade, unique flowers, straight trunk
White Oak	60-80 ft	Slow-Moderate (1 ft/year)	Longest-lived, exceptional specimen tree

Best Ornamental Trees

Species	Mature Height	Why We Recommend It
Kousa Dogwood	20-30 ft	Disease-resistant, white spring flowers, red fall fruit
Japanese Maple	15-25 ft	Stunning form and color, works in small spaces
Serviceberry	15-25 ft	Native, spring flowers, berries for birds, fall color
Eastern Redbud	20-30 ft	Early spring purple flowers, heart-shaped leaves
Crabapple (disease-resistant)	15-25 ft	Spring flowers, persistent fruit, compact size

Trees to Avoid

We do not recommend planting silver maples (weak wood, aggressive roots), Bradford pears (invasive, splits in storms), or Norway maples (invasive, shallow roots that choke out lawns). If you currently have problem trees, our pruning vs. removal guide can help you decide what to do with them.

When to Plant Trees in Massachusetts

Best time: October through November and April through May.

• Fall planting (October-November): Trees establish roots through winter without the stress of summer heat. By spring, they are ready to grow. This is our preferred planting season.
• Spring planting (April-May): Second-best option. Plant as soon as the ground thaws and before summer heat arrives. Trees need consistent watering through the first summer.
• Avoid summer planting: Heat stress and drought make summer establishment risky without intensive irrigation.
• Winter planting: Not possible in Massachusetts when the ground is frozen.

What Is Included in Professional Planting

When McDonald Tree Service plants a tree, you get more than a hole in the ground:

• Site assessment: We evaluate soil, drainage, sun exposure, and proximity to structures and utilities
• Species selection: We recommend the best tree for your specific site conditions
• Proper planting depth: The root flare sits at grade level, not buried (the number-one cause of young tree death)
• Backfill and watering: Proper soil amendment and deep watering at installation
• Mulch ring: 3 to 4 inches of mulch in a ring, not a volcano (another common mistake)
• Staking if needed: We stake only when necessary and remove stakes after one growing season
• Care instructions: Written watering and care schedule for the first two years

Replacement Planting After Removal

Many of our customers plant new trees after removing old ones. If you recently had a tree removed, you have options:

• Plant in the same spot: Possible if the stump was ground deep enough (8-12 inches below grade). Our stump grinding guide covers depth options
• Plant nearby: Often better to offset 6 to 10 feet from the old root zone for easier establishment
• Wait one season: Let the stump grindings decompose before planting in the same hole

For what removal costs before replanting, see our tree removal cost guide and cost by tree size.

Multi-Tree Planting Discounts

Planting multiple trees at once saves money:

Number of Trees	Discount on Installation
1 tree	Standard pricing
2-3 trees	10% off installation
4-6 trees	15% off installation
7+ trees	20% off installation

HOAs, commercial properties, and municipalities in Lowell, Chelmsford, Burlington, and Waltham regularly take advantage of bulk planting rates. See our commercial tree service guide for details.

Where We Plant Trees

We plant trees across all 18 towns in our service area: Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Burlington, Bedford, Carlisle, Dracut, Westford, Andover, Woburn, Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Winchester, Acton, and Waltham.

Schedule a Planting Consultation

Call McDonald Tree Service at (978) 375-2272 for a free planting consultation. We will assess your property, recommend the best species and placement, and provide a complete price including the tree, delivery, planting, and a care plan. Family-owned since 1995, we plant trees that last generations.