Tree Removal Costs

In Oklahoma, property owners spend between $200 and $2000 on tree removal. Homeowners with the smallest trees enjoy the lowest tree removal cost. The average cost ranges from $400 to $1,200, with the typical medium-sized tree costing $750 to remove. 

To determine the ideal tree removal cost, tree service providers consider a wide range of factors. Taking a look at these factors should give you a better idea of the tree removal cost to expect. 

Tree Removal Cost Factors in Oklahoma City 

1. Tree Size 

Taller trees are not only heavier, they also have a larger area at risk. When removing a 100-foot tree, the tree service providers may need to use more advanced gear to stabilize the tree and bring it down without touching any of the nearby utilities. A 30-foot tree, on the other hand, can be brought down by a group of men without the need to get cranes and other machines. 

Additionally, tall trees feature a bigger trunk diameter. Tree removal generally involves cutting through a tree’s trunk. The bigger the trunk diameter, the more time needed to bring the tree down. For these reasons, tree removal experts charge a higher tree removal cost for large trees. 

Depending on your tee’s size, you should expect to spend the amounts listed below on tree removal: 

Small Tree Removal Cost 

For a tree to be classified in the small category, its height should be below 30 feet. Some of the trees in this category include California juniper, Japanese maple, dogwood, magnolia, and the crape myrtle. These trees are extremely easy to bring down – professionals generally use less than 2 hours to bring the trees down. For this service, tree owners pay $150 to $400. 

Medium Tree Removal Cost 

Trees in this category have a height between 30 and 60 feet. Their trunk diameter ranges between 15 and 19 inches. Some of the trees that fit in this category include red maple, copper wood, small varieties of red oak, and crab apples. To remove a medium-sized tree, professionals need 4 – 8 hours and charge $450 to $900. 

Large Tree Removal Cost 

Large trees are generally 60 – 100 feet tall. Their trunk diameter sits between 20 and 24 inches. In Oklahoma, some of the trees classified in the large category include large varieties of red oak, sycamore, and conifers. While the large tree removal can be conducted in one day, some trees may need multiple days. Professionals will require you to pay $900 to $1,200 for large tree removal. 

Very Large Tree Removal Cost 

Trees that fit in this category have to be over 100 feet tall. Their trunk diameters are generally bigger than 24 inches. Some of the tree species classified in the very large category in Oklahoma include eucalyptus, white pine, sequoia, and mature palm trees. To remove these trees, you will need $1300 to $2000. 

2. Crane Assisted Tree Removal 

When “very large” and “large” trees are standing in risky areas – say, between powerlines or other important amenities – a crane may be needed to bring the tree down without causing damage. In Oklahoma, cranes are generally rented by the tree owner separately. 

You will need an extra $200 to $600 to rent a crane in Oklahoma for a day. You may also need to pay an extra $50 to $100 to get a professional crane operator. This puts the total cost of renting a crane between $250 and $700. 

If a 100-foot tree would cost $1000 to remove without a crane, the crane will increase the tree removal cost to between $1,250 and $1,700.

3. Tree Species 

The height of a tree depends on the tree species. Also, the trunk diameter, wood hardiness, and other factors that affect the tee removal process vary from one tree species to the other. Depending on the tree species you have in your home, the following costs will apply when you need tree removal: 

Oak Tree Removal Cost 

At maturity, the height of oak trees sits between 60 and 100 feet. If you intend to remove an oak tree with a height between 30 and 80 feet, you should expect a tree removal cost of $200 to $800. Oaks with heights between 80 and 100 feet have a tree removal cost of $800 to $1,200. 

Magnolia Tree Removal Cost 

At maturity, magnolia trees are generally 30 feet and below in height. Tree removal experts will charge you $375 to $500 to remove your magnolia tree. 

Sycamore Tree Removal Cost 

Sycamore trees have a height of 30 to 60 feet at maturity. Depending on how tall your sycamore is when you decide to remove it, you should expect a tree removal cost between $600 and $900. 

Pine Tree Removal Cost 

Pine trees have a height between 80 and 150 feet at maturity. To remove a mature pine tree, you will need to pay $1,500 to $2000. 

4. Tree Condition 

The process of removing a tree is often impacted by several conditions. The main conditions that affect how easy or hard it is to remove a tree include: 

Decays and Cavities 

Trees featuring decays and cavities on their trunks are generally unsafe and unstable. Unstable trees are hard to control during removal. To minimize the risk of property damage, professionals may need to stabilize these trees. Stabilization requires extra time and tends to increase the tree removal cost. 

Weak Branches 

If the branches on a tree are showing signs of falling during tree removal, pruning may be needed. This keeps the limbs from falling on the tree service providers and causing injury or falling on your home and causing damage. Pruning may be charged separately, increasing the overall cost. 

Multiple Trunks 

If the tree trunks are strongly attached and do not feature a weak link, they may not increase the tree removal cost. However, if the trunks have signs of weakness, professionals may need to remove the trunks one by one – this will take extra time, which could increase the overall tree removal cost. 

Fallen Tree Removal Cost 

Fallen trees are generally easy to remove. All the work needed to bring the tree down is already done – this can lower the removal cost to about $75 to $150. In some cases, however, fallen trees lie on important utilities – in such circumstances, a lot of work will be needed to keep these trees from causing further damage. If your tree is lying on utilities, the cost of removal might be higher. 

Dead Tree Removal Cost 

Compared to live trees, dead trees are generally lighter. This makes them much easier to manage and control during removal. To remove dead trees, professional tree service providers charge $75 to $400. 

5. Additional Costs 

Tree removal often carries some additional costs that catch property owners by surprise. Some of the additional costs you may need to prepare for include: 

Tree Chipping 

This service is often needed before hurling the tree away. The procedure cuts the tree into portable chips that can be loaded easily in a truck. For wood chipping, you will be charged $50 to $100. 

Wood Splitting 

Wood splitting is one of the best services for homeowners who use firewood. Tree service providers charge $50 to $100 to convert the tree trunk into firewood that can be readily used in homes. 

Travel Fees 

This cost can be avoided quite easily. All you have to do is hire a team closest to your home – this will put you in the company’s service zone, eliminating the travel fee. 

If you decide to hire a team that resides too far from your home, you should be prepared to spend $0.5 for every mile covered by the tree removal team. It is pretty common for the travel fee to add up to a fixed cost between $50 and $200. 

Permits and Licenses 

Permits are generally needed before removing a tree. To get your licenses and permits, you may need to pay $60 to $150. 

Inconvenience Cost 

This cost is generally associated with tree emergencies. If you call a tree service provider to handle emergency tree removal in the middle of the night, the professional will have to deal with inconveniences to remove your tree. 

To cover the inconveniences, professionals may charge you an extra 10%. Since most home insurers do cover emergency tree removals, property owners rarely have to worry about the extra 10% charged for inconveniences. 

Stump Removal Cost 

If you would like the professionals to remove one tree stump after bringing your tree down, $100 to $150 may be enough. However, if you have multiple tree stumps that need removal, the following costs may come into play: 

• Per stump cost – The professionals may charge you $150 for the first stump. Each of the remaining tree stumps may cost you $50. 
• Per diameter inch cost – Professionals charge $2 – $3 per diameter inch. They, however, have a minimum cost of $100 for every project they handle. 
• Per hour cost – In Oklahoma, professionals charge $150 per hour when removing tree stumps.