How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Massachusetts? (2026 Guide)

The number-one question we get at McDonald Tree Service is simple: how much is this going to cost me? Fair question. Nobody wants to call a tree company and get hit with a surprise number. So here is a straight answer based on real jobs we do every week across Middlesex County and the Merrimack Valley.

We are a family-owned crew based in Billerica, MA. We have been doing tree work here since 1995, and the prices below reflect what homeowners in our 13-town service area actually pay in 2026. Your final number depends on the specifics of your property, but this guide will get you in the right ballpark.

Tree Removal Cost by Size

Tree size is the single biggest factor in the price. Here is how we break it down:

Small Trees (Under 30 Feet) — $300 to $500

Ornamental trees, small maples, young pines, fruit trees, and anything you can see the top of without craning your neck. These usually take a couple of hours. A crew of two can handle most small removals in a morning. If the tree is already dead and the wood is light, the job goes even faster. Common small-tree removals in our area include crabapples, dogwoods, ornamental cherries, and small birch trees.

Medium Trees (30 to 60 Feet) — $500 to $1,000

This is the most common bracket for residential tree removal in Massachusetts. A 40-foot red oak in the backyard, a 50-foot white pine that is leaning toward the house, a sugar maple that has outgrown the lot. These jobs require a full crew, a bucket truck or climbing, and usually take half a day to a full day. Most of our weekly work across Tewksbury and Wilmington falls into this category.

Large Trees (60 Feet and Up) — $1,000 to $3,000+

The big ones. A 70-foot oak over a garage. An 80-foot white pine next to power lines. A massive sugar maple that has been growing since before your house was built. These are full-day jobs that require experienced climbers, heavy rigging, and sometimes crane assistance. The price goes higher when access is tight, the tree is close to structures, or we need to coordinate with the utility company.

Quick Reference: 2026 Tree Removal Pricing

• Small tree (under 30 ft): $300 – $500
• Medium tree (30–60 ft): $500 – $1,000
• Large tree (60–80 ft): $1,000 – $2,500
• Very large tree (80+ ft): $2,000 – $3,000+
• Stump grinding add-on: $150 – $300
• Crane-assisted removal: $2,000 – $5,000+

Factors That Affect Your Tree Removal Cost

Two trees that look the same height can have very different price tags. Here is why:

1. Tree Species and Wood Density

Hardwoods like red oak, white oak, and sugar maple are heavier and take longer to cut, rig, and haul. A 50-foot red oak weighs significantly more than a 50-foot white pine. Heavier wood means more labor, more fuel for the chipper, and more truck loads to haul away. Softwoods like pine and spruce are lighter and generally cost 20 to 30 percent less to remove at the same height.

2. Location and Access

A tree in the middle of an open front yard is cheaper to remove than the same tree wedged between your house and the neighbor's fence. In towns like Lowell and Woburn, we regularly remove trees from backyards where there is 6 feet of clearance on each side. That kind of tight-space work takes more time, more rigging, and more skill. In towns with larger lots like Carlisle and Westford, we can often get equipment closer to the tree, which saves time and money.

3. Proximity to Structures

A tree leaning over your roof, hanging over your pool, or growing into power lines costs more to remove because the margin for error is zero. Every cut has to be precise. Every piece has to be rigged down carefully. We have done thousands of these jobs across Billerica, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, and every other town in our service area, but they always take longer than an open-lot removal.

4. Tree Condition

Dead trees can actually be more dangerous and more expensive to remove than live ones. Dead wood is unpredictable: branches snap without warning, trunks can be hollow, and the wood can crumble when you put a saw to it. A tree that has been dead for a few years and is starting to rot requires extra caution. On the other hand, a healthy tree with solid wood is more predictable and easier to rig safely.

5. Emergency vs. Scheduled Removal

If a tree just fell on your car at 2 AM during a nor'easter, that is a different situation than scheduling a removal for next Tuesday. Emergency work often involves hazardous conditions, after-hours crew mobilization, and working around storm damage. The cost is typically 25 to 50 percent higher than a scheduled removal, but we are available 24/7 at (978) 375-2272 because we know emergencies do not wait for business hours.

6. Number of Trees

If you have multiple trees coming down, you will get a better per-tree price. We are already on-site with a full crew and equipment, so the second and third trees do not carry the same mobilization cost as the first one. We commonly do multi-tree removals in Dracut and Carlisle where homeowners have several dead pines or are clearing a section of lot.

Stump Grinding: The Add-On Most People Forget

After the tree is gone, you are left with a stump. Most homeowners want it gone too. Stump grinding costs $150 to $300 for a typical residential stump, depending on the diameter and root spread. If we are already on-site doing the removal, we will usually grind the stump the same day for a bundled price that saves you money compared to a separate visit.

Factors that affect stump grinding cost:

• Stump diameter: A 12-inch stump is quick work, usually 15 to 20 minutes. A 36-inch oak stump with surface roots radiating 6 feet in every direction can take over an hour.
• Root system: Some species, like Norway maple and silver maple, send roots across the entire yard. Grinding the visible stump is one thing; chasing surface roots is another.
• Access: If we can drive the grinder right up to the stump, it is straightforward. If the stump is behind a fence, down a slope, or in a tight backyard, we may need to use a smaller machine, which takes more time.
• Multiple stumps: We give package pricing for 3 or more stumps. Volume work is more efficient for us, and we pass that savings along.

For a detailed breakdown, read our full guide on stump grinding cost and process.

Crane-Assisted Tree Removal: $2,000 to $5,000+

Some trees cannot be safely removed with conventional climbing and rigging. When a tree is too big, too close to a structure, or in a spot where there is no room to drop pieces safely, we bring in a crane. The crane lifts sections of the tree straight up and over the house, fence, or whatever else is in the way.

Crane-assisted removal is the safest method for:

• Large trees directly over houses or garages
• Trees in backyards with no equipment access
• Dead or structurally compromised trees that are too dangerous to climb
• Trees near pools, patios, or other structures you want to protect

We have done crane removals in tight neighborhoods in Burlington, on waterfront properties in Wilmington, and on large wooded lots in Carlisle. The crane adds $500 to $1,500+ in mobilization costs depending on crane size and duration, but it is often the only safe option. It actually speeds up the removal itself because we are lifting large sections rather than rigging small pieces down one at a time.

Do You Need a Permit? What That Costs

In most of our service towns, you do not need a permit to remove a tree on your own private property unless the tree is near wetlands, in a conservation area, or along a scenic road. However, some towns have stricter rules:

• Lexington requires a permit for removing any tree over 12 inches in diameter on private property. This is one of the strictest bylaws in the state.
• Bedford has a Tree Preservation bylaw that can trigger Planning Board review for trees over 10 inches in diameter in certain zones.
• Carlisle has extensive conservation restrictions, and many properties border protected wetlands where Conservation Commission approval is required.
• All 13 towns require Tree Warden approval for removing public shade trees under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87.

Permit fees vary by town but are typically $25 to $100 when required. We handle permit coordination for our clients at no extra charge. If your tree needs a permit, we will tell you before we start work.

For a complete breakdown, read our Massachusetts Tree Removal Permits: Town-by-Town Guide.

How to Save Money on Tree Removal

A few tips from 30 years of doing this:

• Schedule in advance. Non-emergency removals cost less than emergency calls. If a tree is dying but not an immediate hazard, schedule the removal for a day that works for our crew. Winter is often a great time: the ground is frozen (less lawn damage), and schedules tend to be more flexible.
• Bundle work. If you have a removal, a stump to grind, and a couple of trees to prune, get it all done in one visit. You save on the mobilization cost, and we work more efficiently.
• Keep the firewood. If you have a wood stove or fire pit, tell us to leave the trunk wood. We will buck it to length and stack it. That saves us hauling time and saves you the cost of buying firewood at $350 or more per cord.
• Get multiple estimates. We encourage this. A good estimate should be free, detailed, and in writing. If someone gives you a quote over the phone without seeing the tree, find someone else.

Red Flags When Hiring a Tree Service

Not every tree company is the same. Watch out for:

• No proof of insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation. If they cannot produce one, walk away. An uninsured crew that drops a limb on your roof leaves you holding the bill.
• Door-to-door soliciting. Legitimate tree companies do not drive through neighborhoods knocking on doors after storms.
• Extremely low quotes. If someone is quoting half of what everyone else is, there is a reason. They are cutting corners on insurance, equipment, or cleanup.
• Full payment upfront. A reasonable deposit is fine. Full payment before the work starts is not.

Get a Free Estimate

McDonald Tree Service has been doing tree work out of Billerica since 1995. Keith McDonald answers the phone, gives the estimate, and oversees the job. We are licensed, insured, and we show up when we say we will. We serve 13 towns across Middlesex County and the Merrimack Valley: Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Burlington, Bedford, Carlisle, Dracut, Westford, Andover, Woburn, and Lexington.

Call (978) 375-2272 for a free, no-obligation estimate. We will come out, look at the tree, and give you an honest number. No pressure, no upselling, no games.