Tree Removal Cost by Size (2026)

Tree removal costs $300 to $3,000+ depending primarily on tree size. A small ornamental tree is a quick job. A large oak pressed against your house is a half-day operation with specialized equipment. Here is exactly what each size costs and why.

How Much Does It Cost to Cut Down a Tree?

Size Category	Height	Trunk Diameter	Cost Range	Typical Species
Small	Under 30 ft	Under 12 in	$300 – $500	Birch, crabapple, dogwood, ornamental cherry
Medium	30 – 60 ft	12 – 24 in	$500 – $1,000	Red maple, Norway maple, ash, black cherry
Large	60 – 80 ft	24 – 36 in	$1,000 – $2,500	Red oak, white oak, sugar maple, white pine
Extra Large	80+ ft	36+ in	$2,500 – $3,500+	Mature white pine, large oaks, multi-trunk maples

Small Tree Removal ($300 – $500)

Small trees under 30 feet are the most straightforward removals. These include ornamental trees, young birch, crabapple, and small maples. Most small tree removals take 1–2 hours with a crew of two. The tree comes down in sections or as a whole if there is room to fell it. Cleanup, chipping, and hauling are included.

Common small tree removal jobs: dead birch tree in the yard, overgrown crabapple near the driveway, storm-damaged ornamental, small trees growing too close to the foundation.

Medium Tree Removal ($500 – $1,000)

Medium trees (30–60 feet) are the most common tree removals in Middlesex County. Red maples, Norway maples, ash trees (many killed by emerald ash borer), and black cherry trees fall in this category. These require a bucket truck or climbing, and most take 3–5 hours.

The price within this range depends on location. A 40-foot maple in the middle of the yard is on the lower end. The same tree next to power lines or over a garage is on the higher end because it requires rigging — carefully lowering each section with ropes rather than dropping it.

Large Tree Removal ($1,000 – $2,500)

Large trees are where the cost goes up significantly. We are talking 60–80 foot red oaks, white oaks, sugar maples, and white pines. These trees weigh thousands of pounds and produce enormous amounts of wood and brush. A large oak removal typically fills 3–4 chipper loads and produces a cord or more of firewood.

Large tree removals in tight spaces — common in Woburn, Winchester, Burlington, and older neighborhoods — require every section to be rigged and lowered. That is slow, careful work that takes a full day with a crew of 3–4.

Extra Large Tree Removal ($2,500+)

Extra-large trees over 80 feet — or any tree requiring crane-assisted removal — start at $2,500. Mature white pines in Carlisle and Westford routinely exceed 90 feet. Old-growth oaks in Concord and Lexington can be 80+ feet with 40-inch trunk diameters. Dead extra-large trees are the most expensive because the wood is unpredictable and cannot be safely climbed in many cases.

Read more about crane tree removal costs for the most complex situations.

What Else Affects the Cost?

Beyond size, several factors can push the cost higher or lower:

• Access: Can we get equipment to the tree? Rear-yard trees behind fences cost more.
• Proximity to structures: Trees near houses, garages, or power lines require more careful rigging.
• Species: Hardwoods (oak, maple) are heavier and take longer. Softwoods (pine, birch) are lighter.
• Condition: Dead trees are more dangerous and unpredictable. Living trees with sound wood are more predictable.
• Stump grinding: Typically $150–$300 additional, or less if done at the time of removal.

Get a Free Estimate

McDonald Tree Service provides free on-site estimates for tree removal across 18 towns in Middlesex County and the Merrimack Valley. We look at the tree, assess the complexity, and give you a price that does not change. No hidden fees, no surprise add-ons. Call (978) 375-2272 — Keith answers the phone. See pricing details for your town: Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Burlington.