An 8-ft arborvitae typically costs $150-$450 for the plant alone, or about $300-$800 per tree with delivery and professional planting. Variety, root-ball size, local nursery stock, access, and the number of trees can move a quote substantially.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-ft arborvitae, plant only | $150 | $275 | $450 | Typical nursery or landscape-supply price per tree |
| Delivery | $50 | $125 | $300 | Per order; distance and truck access matter |
| Planting labor | $100 | $200 | $350 | Per tree for ordinary soil and access |
| Installed tree | $300 | $525 | $800 | Plant, typical delivery allocation, and planting |
| Five-tree privacy row | $1,500 | $2,625 | $4,000 | Excludes major grading, irrigation, or fence removal |
Assumptions: U.S. retail nursery stock, standard planting depth, and normal access; prices vary by region and cultivar.
What an 8-Ft Arborvitae Usually Costs Installed
The plant is only part of the bill. For a single 8-ft tree, a buyer commonly pays $150-$450 for nursery stock, $50-$300 for delivery, and $100-$350 for planting. Small orders may carry a minimum service charge, so one tree can cost more per unit than a row of several trees.
A practical budget is $300-$800 per tree installed, with the plant’s root-ball size and delivery distance driving much of the spread. A standard green cultivar in a 25- to 36-inch root ball may fall near the midpoint. A broad, heavy specimen, premium cultivar, or tree that must be carried through a narrow side yard can exceed the high estimate.
These totals generally assume a planting hole in workable soil, basic backfill, and cleanup of light debris. They do not automatically include stump removal, substantial soil replacement, irrigation, soil amendments, a new hedge bed, or warranty replacement. Buyers should check whether the quote includes tax and disposal as well as the tree and labor.
How Nursery Stock, Delivery, and Planting Shape the Quote
Landscaping quotes often combine several charges into one installed price. Asking for an itemized estimate makes it easier to compare a nursery’s tree price with a contractor’s labor and delivery rate. The following ranges are typical per 8-ft tree or order allocation, not guaranteed national rates.
| Quote item | Typical range | Pricing basis | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tree and root ball | $150-$450 | Per tree | Cultivar, width, condition, and container or burlapped stock |
| Delivery and handling | $50-$300 | Per order | Mileage, order size, unloading equipment, and access |
| Planting labor | $100-$350 | Per tree | Hole size, soil, slope, carrying distance, and crew time |
| Soil, mulch, and stakes | $20-$100 | Per tree | Amendment needs, mulch depth, and stabilization |
| Removal and disposal | $75-$300 | Per old plant | Root size, hauling, and whether a stump remains |
Planting labor can be estimated as crew time multiplied by the hourly rate. For example, a two-person crew working 1.5 hours at a combined $120-$200 per hour implies roughly $180-$300 in labor before travel or minimum charges.
Confirm whether delivery is a flat fee or divided among the trees, because that distinction changes the effective per-tree price. A $200 delivery charge is significant for one tree but only $40 each when spread across five trees.
Root-Ball Width, Cultivar, and Site Access Change Prices
Height alone does not define an 8-ft tree’s price. Two specimens can both measure 8 ft but differ in canopy width, root-ball diameter, and handling weight. A wider, denser tree often costs more and may need equipment or an additional crew member to move it safely.
Root-ball dimensions and access can shift the installed quote by $100-$400 per tree. Trees with a root ball around 24-30 inches are generally easier to handle than specimens with a 36-inch or larger ball. If the planting area is more than 50 ft from truck access, or a gate is under 36 inches wide, hand-carrying or special handling can add labor.
Cultivar also matters. Common green types such as Emerald Green or American arborvitae may be less expensive when locally stocked, while narrow, unusual, or regionally scarce cultivars can command a premium. Ask for the cultivar name in writing; “arborvitae” alone does not specify mature width, growth habit, or winter hardiness.
Soil and planting conditions create another threshold. Ordinary loam usually needs little preparation, while compacted clay, construction fill, standing water, or a slope may require extra excavation or drainage work. A planting bed with roots from a removed hedge can take longer to dig than open lawn. If a contractor proposes extensive amendments, ask which measured soil or drainage issue the work addresses.
Regional Nursery Prices Vary Across the United States
Local growing conditions and supply affect the retail price. In areas with abundant regional production and competitive nursery supply, plant-only prices may sit near the lower end. Remote markets, dense metropolitan areas, and regions where the selected cultivar is less common can cost more because of transport, limited inventory, and higher labor rates.
| Market type | Plant-only estimate | Installed estimate | Typical difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower-cost rural or nursery-producing area | $125-$350 | $275-$650 | Often 10%-20% below national midpoint |
| Mid-priced suburban market | $150-$450 | $300-$800 | Typical reference range |
| High-cost metro or remote delivery area | $200-$550 | $400-$1,000 | Often 15%-30% above midpoint |
These are broad comparisons, not fixed regional price lists. A high-cost city may still have competitive plant prices if local nurseries stock the cultivar, while a rural property may face a steep delivery fee from the nearest supplier. Climate suitability matters, too: a tree not suited to local heat, cold, or moisture may be a poor value even if its purchase price is low.
Compare installed quotes from businesses serving the same ZIP code and specify the same cultivar and approximate root-ball size. A meaningful comparison also identifies delivery distance, whether planting materials are included, and what the contractor will do if the root ball is damaged in transit.
How Many Crew Hours Does One Tree Need?
With open access, prepared soil, and no old plant to remove, a two-person crew may spend about 1-2 hours planting one 8-ft arborvitae, including moving it from the truck, setting it level, backfilling, and watering it in. A row of three to five trees may take roughly 4-8 crew hours, depending on spacing and site preparation.
Contractors may bill hourly, per tree, or by the project. Local landscaping rates commonly run $50-$100 per worker-hour, though specialized crews and high-cost markets may charge more. Per-tree labor often works out to $100-$350 when the job is straightforward. Minimum visit charges of $150-$400 are possible even when the planting itself takes less time.
Labor is most predictable when the planting location is marked and cleared before the crew arrives. Tell the contractor about steep slopes, retaining walls, narrow gates, overhead wires, underground utilities, and long paths from the truck. Utility locating may be required before digging; buyers should not assume a crew can safely excavate without checking underground lines.
Weather and soil moisture affect scheduling and work time. Extremely wet soil can be difficult to work without creating ruts, while frozen ground may delay planting or require additional effort. A contractor may recommend postponing work rather than charging to plant in conditions that increase the risk of poor establishment.
Delivery, Removal, and Bed Preparation Add to the Bill
Delivery may be a modest charge for a multi-tree order from a nearby nursery or a large fee for a single specimen hauled a long distance. Some suppliers offer curbside unloading only. If the tree must be moved around a house or down a narrow path, a landscaper may charge for extra labor or equipment separately.
Removing an existing arborvitae is usually not included in the price of planting its replacement. A small or recently planted tree may cost $75-$150 to remove, while a mature plant with a large root system can cost $150-$300 or more, especially if the roots must be dug out rather than cut at grade. Hauling and disposal can be separate line items.
Ask whether the quote includes the full planting hole, backfill, mulch, watering, and cleanup. Basic mulch and a small amount of soil adjustment may add $20-$100 per tree. Extensive soil replacement, drainage correction, or irrigation installation is a different scope and can add several hundred dollars to a small project.
Warranty terms also affect the apparent price. A low bid may provide no replacement coverage, while another contractor may include a limited plant-replacement warranty if the buyer follows watering instructions. Confirm the warranty period, exclusions for drought or animal damage, and whether replacement labor and delivery are covered—not just the cost of a new tree.
Compare 8-Ft Trees With Smaller Plants and Mature Specimens
A smaller arborvitae costs less upfront and can be easier to establish, but it takes longer to create a full-height screen. A 4- to 5-ft plant may cost roughly $50-$180 before installation, while a 6- to 7-ft specimen often runs $100-$300. Those ranges depend on cultivar, container size, and local supply.
An 8-ft tree generally offers a faster visual screen, but its larger root ball raises purchase, transport, and planting costs. Trees over 10 ft may cost $400-$1,000 or more for the plant alone and may require machinery or a larger crew. The installation premium can erase the apparent benefit of buying a larger specimen if access is difficult.
For a hedge, compare the total price per linear foot rather than only the cost per tree. At 3-ft spacing, an 8-ft tree at $525 installed equals about $175 per linear foot of planted row before bed preparation. At 4-ft spacing, the same tree price works out to about $131 per linear foot, though the screen may take longer to fill in. Spacing should reflect the cultivar’s mature width and the desired privacy, not just the lowest initial total.
Ask a nursery to compare the specific mature widths of the proposed cultivars. A narrow cultivar may fit a tight property line but cost more than a common, wider-growing type. Planting too close can also create future crowding and pruning needs, so the cheapest spacing on installation day is not always the lowest-maintenance choice.
Three 8-Ft Arborvitae Quotes for Common Projects
These examples show how scope changes a quote. They assume standard retail nursery stock and typical U.S. labor; local bids can differ. The estimates are illustrative rather than a promise of a fixed rate.
| Project | Tree and unit rate | Labor and delivery | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| One tree, open lawn, nearby supplier | 1 at $225-$325 | $125-$225 labor; $75-$150 delivery | $425-$700 |
| Five-tree row, prepared bed | 5 at $200-$325 each | $600-$1,100 labor; $150-$300 delivery | $1,750-$3,025 |
| Three premium trees, restricted access | 3 at $325-$450 each | $750-$1,350 labor; $200-$400 handling | $1,925-$3,100 |
In the five-tree example, the total equals approximately $350-$605 per tree because shared delivery and mobilization are spread across the order. The restricted-access example can exceed $1,000 per tree if the root balls are oversized or a machine is needed. Each estimate should state whether tax, mulch, old-plant removal, and warranty coverage are included.
Use the line items to identify scope differences before choosing the lowest total. A bid that excludes disposal or includes smaller trees is not directly comparable to one that supplies full 8-ft specimens and removes an existing hedge.
Lower the Arborvitae Price by Controlling Scope
Ordering several trees at once can reduce delivery and mobilization cost per tree, provided the site can accommodate the full order and the plants are the same appropriate cultivar. Buyers can also request prices for locally stocked alternatives with similar mature height and width rather than insisting on a scarce variety.
The most reliable savings come from reducing handling and avoiding unneeded work, not from cutting the tree’s quality. Clear the planting route, mark locations, and arrange utility locating before the crew arrives. If the old hedge is already removed, confirm whether the remaining roots need excavation; cutting roots below grade may cost less where site conditions allow and the replacement planting position is clear.
Compare at least three itemized quotes for the same tree size, cultivar, root-ball range, spacing, and installation scope. Ask whether a contractor charges a minimum visit fee, whether delivery is included, and whether tax or disposal is extra. For a row, request both a per-tree rate and a total-project price so the effect of shared costs is visible.
Timing can help when local nurseries have stock and landscapers have open schedules, but availability varies by climate and season. Avoid choosing a discounted tree with dry foliage, a loose or damaged root ball, or a cultivar poorly suited to the site. A slightly smaller, healthy plant may offer better value than an oversized specimen that requires special equipment or extensive replacement soil.