Holly bush removal typically costs $75-$600 per shrub, with an average of about $250 for a medium, accessible plant. Height, trunk size, root depth, stump grinding, hauling, and local labor rates determine whether a quote falls near the low or high end.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small holly, under 3 ft | $75 | $150 | $250 | Usually hand-pulled or cut out |
| Medium holly, 3-6 ft | $150 | $250 | $450 | Typical single-shrub removal |
| Large holly, over 6 ft | $300 | $500 | $900 | May require cutting in sections |
| Stump grinding | $50 | $125 | $300 | Often priced per stump or by minimum charge |
| Full removal with hauling | $150 | $350 | $1,000+ | Depends on shrub size and debris volume |
Assumptions: One shrub, ordinary residential access, no utility conflicts, and standard disposal. Regional rates and minimum service charges can shift these estimates.
Price to remove holly bushes by size
Most homeowners pay $150-$450 to remove one 3- to 6-foot holly, including cutting and basic cleanup. Smaller plants with slender stems can cost $75-$250 each, while mature specimens above 6 feet commonly run $300-$900. A very old holly with multiple thick trunks, extensive roots, or limited access may exceed $1,000 when stump work and debris hauling are included.
These figures assume a landscape contractor or small tree-service crew removes the above-ground shrub and cuts the main root crown loose. The quote may not include grinding below grade, filling the hole, hauling every branch, or replacing the plant. Ask whether the stated price covers those tasks before comparing bids.
Multi-shrub work usually lowers the average price per plant. A crew already on site may remove five small hollies for $250-$700 total rather than charging the single-job minimum five times. Dense hedges are often estimated by linear footage or by the number and size of individual plants; a 10-foot stretch can range from $300-$1,200 depending on mature height and access.
Holly types vary considerably. A compact Japanese holly is generally easier to remove than a mature American holly or overgrown evergreen hedge. Contractors price the actual size and trunk structure more than the plant name, so a quote should describe height, approximate width, trunk count, and whether roots are included.
What stump grinding and hauling add to a holly quote
The above-ground shrub, stump, and disposal are separate quote items unless the contractor clearly bundles them. The table shows common cost components for a medium holly; line items vary by company and job setup.
| Quote component | Typical price | Pricing basis | What it covers | Common exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cutting and root-crown removal | $125-$350 | Per shrub | Cutting stems and loosening the main root mass | Deep root removal or grading |
| Labor | $50-$100 | Per worker-hour | Cutting, digging, loading, cleanup | Travel or minimum call-out fee |
| Stump grinding | $50-$300 | Per stump | Grinding stump below soil level | Root removal and soil replacement |
| Hauling and disposal | $40-$200 | Per shrub or load | Transporting branches and root debris | Unusually heavy or contaminated waste |
| Backfill and rough leveling | $25-$100 | Per hole | Basic soil fill after removal | New topsoil, sod, or planting |
Holly branches are stiff and often prickly, which can slow handling and increase the volume of protective bagging or bundled debris. Some contractors include a modest amount of green waste in their base bid; others charge by trailer load. Confirm whether the crew will leave chips, branches, or roots on site.
Grinding is not the same as complete root extraction. A grinder usually removes the stump several inches below grade, leaving much of the lateral root system to decay in place. Digging out the entire root ball can cost more and disturb a larger area, but it may be necessary where a new shrub, walkway, or footing will occupy the same spot.
Example: A two-person crew working 2 hours at $65 per worker-hour creates $260 in labor before equipment, disposal, travel, and overhead.
How height, trunk count, and access change the bid
Size and access often matter more than the shrub’s species when a contractor sets the price. A holly under 3 feet with one thin stem may take less than an hour to remove. A 7-foot shrub with several 2- to 4-inch trunks can require sectional cutting, digging, and extra loading time, raising the labor portion substantially.
Trunk diameter and number affect whether the crew can pull the root crown by hand or needs a winch, chainsaw, or compact equipment. A shrub with three or more substantial stems may take 2-4 hours to cut and dig, even if its height is only 5 feet. Thick roots close to a retaining wall or foundation also require slower work to avoid damage.
Access is a major price variable. A machine may fit through a 36-inch gate, but narrow paths, stairs, steep slopes, or a long carry to the truck can add $50-$250 in labor or handling. If equipment cannot reach the stump, workers may need to dig manually or cut the plant into smaller pieces for removal.
Root depth and soil conditions can also change the estimate. Holly roots in compacted clay, rocky ground, or soil tangled with irrigation lines take longer to loosen. A surface root system in recently worked soil is less demanding. Contractors may charge more if the shrub is near buried utilities, a fence, or a valued neighboring plant and careful hand work is required.
Scope changes matter too. Removing only the stems is cheaper than removing the root crown, grinding the stump, hauling debris, and restoring the bed. For a hedge, specify whether the price covers every plant, root, and stump across the full run. A vague request to “clear the holly” can result in bids that are not comparable.
Ways to lower the holly removal bill
The clearest savings usually come from combining shrubs, limiting restoration, and defining exactly what must leave the property. Ask contractors to price above-ground cutting, root-crown removal, stump grinding, and hauling as separate options. This makes it possible to choose only the work needed rather than paying for a bundled service that includes unwanted cleanup or landscaping.
Combine several plants into one visit when practical. A crew’s travel and setup costs are spread across the job, so removing a row of hollies at once can reduce the per-shrub price. Ask for a total price for the entire group rather than multiplying a single-shrub quote, especially when the plants sit close together.
Homeowners can sometimes reduce labor by clearing loose items from the work area, opening the gate, and identifying irrigation lines before the crew arrives. They should not cut large branches or dig around unknown utilities just to save money. Holly foliage can be prickly, and improper cutting may create extra debris or a safety problem.
Compare at least three written estimates that specify plant height, trunk count, stump depth, debris handling, and site cleanup. A low bid may cover cutting at ground level only, while a higher bid may include grinding and hauling. Verify whether disposal fees, travel, and any minimum charge are included in the total.
Stump grinding may be unnecessary if the site will become a mulched bed and the stump can remain below grade. It is more useful where a lawn, walkway, or replacement planting is planned. Avoid paying for complete root extraction unless the future use of the space requires it; most small roots can decay naturally after the crown is removed.
What crews charge across U.S. regions
Local labor and disposal rates can move a holly removal quote by roughly 10%-30% from the national middle range. In lower-cost rural markets and smaller Midwestern or Southern towns, a straightforward medium shrub may be quoted around $125-$350. In higher-cost metro areas on the coasts or in the Northeast, comparable work can run $200-$550, especially when labor minimums and hauling fees are high.
These are planning ranges rather than fixed regional tariffs. Urban properties may have higher labor rates but shorter travel distances between jobs. Rural locations can have lower hourly rates yet higher mobilization or mileage charges if a crew must travel far. Local disposal rules and the availability of green-waste facilities also affect hauling prices.
Several contractors use a minimum charge of about $150-$300 for a small visit, even if one small holly takes less than an hour. That minimum may cover travel, setup, insurance, and equipment. When comparing regional bids, check the final all-in amount rather than focusing only on the stated hourly rate.
How long holly removal takes and labor rates
A small, accessible holly may take 30-60 minutes, while a large shrub with stump grinding can occupy a crew for 2-4 hours. A two-person crew commonly bills labor at an effective $50-$100 per worker-hour, though some companies quote the whole job instead of displaying an hourly rate.
Simple cutting is usually the fastest part. The crew must also protect nearby plants, cut and bundle prickly branches, loosen the root crown, load debris, and clean the work area. A thick hedge or several mature plants can take half a day or longer, particularly if access is tight or the site requires hand digging.
Equipment can reduce digging time but may not lower the final bill if the machine has a delivery charge or minimum rental period. A stump grinder used for one small stump may add $50-$150, while a large or awkward stump can cost $150-$300. Ask whether grinding is priced per stump or included in a minimum equipment charge.
Scheduling can affect availability more than the basic rate. After storms, during spring yard cleanup, or in peak landscaping months, crews may book several weeks ahead. Emergency work or a short-notice appointment can carry a premium, commonly 10%-25%, if the contractor has to rearrange existing jobs.
When hauling, grinding, or replanting changes the total
Debris removal and site restoration can add as much to a small shrub job as the cutting itself. Leaving cut branches neatly stacked at the curb may cost nothing extra in some areas, while full hauling can add $40-$200 per shrub or more when a large hedge fills a trailer. Disposal charges differ by municipality and contractor.
Stump grinding generally adds $50-$300 per stump. The price depends on stump diameter, access for the grinder, and the company’s minimum. Grinding a 6-inch stump in an open bed may be near the lower end; a 14-inch stump against a wall or behind a narrow gate can cost considerably more.
Filling the hole with existing soil may be included or cost $25-$100. Fresh topsoil, compost, sod, or replacement plants are usually additional. A new shrub and planting labor can add $50-$300 or more depending on plant size and delivery. If the area is to become lawn, ask whether the bid includes seed or sod; rough backfill alone does not restore the surface.
Some jobs require extra precautions where the holly is intertwined with a fence, growing through a retaining wall, or close to overhead wires. A contractor may need hand tools, more workers, or a separate specialist. These conditions can add $100-$500, but the amount depends on the hazard and the work that is actually necessary.
Three holly removal quotes with different scopes
Comparing complete scopes shows why two quotes for the same shrub can differ by several hundred dollars. The examples below use ordinary residential access and typical local contractor pricing, not guaranteed national rates.
| Job details | Labor and equipment | Unit price | Estimated total | Included scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One 2.5-ft compact holly | 1 worker, about 1 hour | $100-$175 per shrub | $100-$175 | Cut, hand-dig crown, leave debris on site |
| One 5-ft holly, 3-in. main trunk | 2 workers, about 2 hours, grinder | $250-$400 per shrub | $250-$400 | Root crown removal, shallow grinding, basic cleanup |
| Four 7-ft hedge hollies across 20 ft | 2-3 workers, 4-6 hours, hauling | $250-$450 per shrub | $1,000-$1,800 | Sectional cutting, stump work, debris loading and disposal |
The first example assumes no hauling, so the owner keeps or disposes of the branches. The second includes modest stump grinding but not new topsoil or planting. The hedge example carries a lower per-shrub rate than four separate appointments, but it includes much more labor and debris volume.
A quote should state whether stump grinding reaches a specified depth, often 4-8 inches below grade, and whether the contractor removes the resulting chips. It should also say whether roots beyond the stump remain. Those details help prevent a low initial estimate from expanding after the crew begins work.
Questions that clarify a holly removal estimate
A useful estimate identifies the exact work, not just a single unexplained total. Before accepting a price, confirm the number and approximate size of hollies, whether the root crown is included, and what happens to the branches. The contractor should note any access problem or nearby feature that affects labor.
Ask whether the company has a minimum service charge, whether travel and disposal are included, and whether the price changes if a stump is larger than expected. If grinding is offered, confirm the depth, cleanup, and treatment of chips. If the space will be replanted, ask whether backfill and surface restoration are included or billed separately.
Check that the contractor is insured for the work being performed, particularly if the holly is large or close to a structure. For jobs near buried utility lines, contact the appropriate utility-marking service before digging. That precaution can prevent expensive damage and may be required under local rules.
For a typical single medium holly with normal access, a fair planning budget is $200-$450 for removal, with grinding and hauling potentially raising the total to $300-$700. A small shrub may cost less, while a mature hedge, difficult site, or high-cost metro location can exceed those figures. The written scope is the best basis for comparing the final price.