Davey tree removal often costs about $500-$2,500 per tree, with an average near $1,200 for a standard residential job; large, hazardous, or hard-to-reach trees can exceed $5,000. The final quote depends on tree height and trunk size, access, crew and equipment needs, stump work, cleanup, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small tree removal | $250 | $500 | $900 | Usually under 30 feet, open access |
| Medium tree removal | $600 | $1,200 | $2,000 | About 30-60 feet, standard rigging |
| Large tree removal | $1,500 | $3,000 | $6,000+ | Over 60 feet or complex site |
| Stump grinding | $100 | $250 | $600 | Per stump; size and access matter |
Planning ranges reflect common U.S. residential estimates, not a fixed Davey Tree rate card; local inspection and written quote determine the actual price.
What Davey Tree Removal Usually Costs by Tree Size
Davey Tree does not publish one nationwide removal price that applies to every property. Its local crews assess the tree, risks, site access, and requested cleanup before quoting. For budgeting, small trees may run $250-$900, medium trees $600-$2,000, and large trees $1,500-$6,000 or more. A multi-tree project can cost several thousand dollars, though removing several trees in one visit may reduce the per-tree mobilization charge.
A typical accessible 40-foot tree with routine cutting and debris removal may land around $800-$1,800. That estimate assumes a residential property, no utility conflict, ordinary ground conditions, and no stump grinding. A very large tree near a home can cost several times more because it may need sectional dismantling, rigging, a bucket truck, or a crane.
Size is only a starting point. Trunk diameter, branching pattern, tree condition, nearby structures, and the distance equipment must travel can all shift the quote. Dead or storm-damaged trees may require more careful handling than healthy trees of similar dimensions. Costs also vary by market: dense urban locations and high-wage regions commonly sit above rural or lower-cost markets.
Assumptions: residential removal, ordinary access, standard debris handling, and no major utility, permitting, or emergency complications.
How Davey Crews Price Cutting, Rigging, and Cleanup
A removal estimate may combine labor, equipment, disposal, and optional services rather than list a simple price per hour. Ask whether the written quote includes hauling branches, cutting the trunk into manageable pieces, and leaving the site raked. Some homeowners keep firewood or chips, which can affect hauling and disposal charges.
| Quote component | Common range | What changes the charge | Typical billing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tree cutting and crew labor | $300-$2,500 | Height, trunk diameter, risk, crew size | Per tree or job |
| Rigging or lift equipment | $150-$1,200 | Climbing difficulty, structures, reach | Equipment or job fee |
| Hauling and disposal | $100-$800 | Debris volume, dump distance, wood retention | Per job or load |
| Stump grinding | $100-$600 | Stump diameter, roots, access | Per stump |
| Permits or traffic control | $0-$500+ | Municipal rules and street location | Per permit or service |
Labor may be estimated internally by time, but many residential proposals present a flat job price. For comparison, a crew’s labor equivalent might be $75-$150 per worker-hour, depending on region and work type.
Confirm the included work in writing, especially hauling, stump grinding, and protection for lawns or nearby structures. A low bid that excludes disposal or leaves large wood sections on site may not be the least expensive completed job. Quotes can also separate tree removal from pruning, planting, or other tree-care work.
How Trunk Diameter, Height, and Access Change a Davey Quote
Tree height affects how much material must be cut, lowered, and moved, but trunk diameter can be equally important. A 25-foot tree with a thick trunk may require more cutting and hauling than a narrow tree of the same height. As a broad budgeting guide, trees under 30 feet often cost $250-$900; those 30-60 feet may be $600-$2,000; and trees above 60 feet commonly start around $1,500, with difficult jobs reaching $6,000 or more.
Site access and hazard level can add hundreds or thousands of dollars even when tree height stays the same. A backyard with a narrow gate, steep slope, retaining wall, or soft lawn may prevent a truck or lift from reaching the work area. Crews may need climbers and rigging to lower branches piece by piece, or specialized machinery to move heavy sections.
Proximity to power lines, roofs, fences, sheds, and neighboring property increases the need for controlled cuts. Trees leaning over a house, split at the trunk, or weakened by decay may require extra precautions. A tree close to overhead electrical lines can require coordination with the utility or specialized line-clearance work; homeowners should not assume ordinary removal pricing covers that service.
Diameter thresholds matter for stump work too. A stump under 12 inches may be near the lower end of grinding rates, while a stump 24 inches or wider often costs more because grinding takes longer and produces more chips. Rocky soil, surface roots, and limited machine access can also raise the charge.
Where Homeowners Can Trim a Davey Removal Quote
Scope choices are among the few parts of a professional removal quote homeowners can control. Ask for separate prices for cutting down the tree, hauling all debris, grinding the stump, and removing chips. If the property can use firewood or mulch, keeping suitable material may reduce hauling and disposal expenses. Confirm who is responsible for moving or stacking it and how much cleanup remains.
Compare complete, like-for-like quotes instead of choosing the lowest headline number. Request written estimates from Davey and at least two qualified local tree-service companies, with the same tree, access, disposal, and stump specifications. Check that each quote describes the work, insurance, cleanup, and any excluded repairs or utility coordination. A difference of $300 may reflect a genuine scope difference rather than a pricing advantage.
Scheduling may offer some flexibility for a healthy tree that is not an immediate hazard. Ask whether a non-rush appointment or combining several trees on one visit lowers the total. Do not delay a tree that is actively cracking, uprooting, or threatening a structure just to pursue a seasonal discount. Avoid DIY work near power lines or large limbs; injury and property damage can outweigh the apparent labor savings.
Stump grinding can sometimes be postponed if the stump is not in the way, although a later visit may incur a minimum service charge. Before approving a bundled pruning or fertilization package, ask whether those tasks are necessary and priced separately. Keep the quote focused on the specific removal and cleanup needed.
How Long a Davey Removal Crew May Need on Site
A small, accessible tree may take a two- or three-person crew about 2-4 hours, while a medium tree often takes 4-8 hours. Large or hazardous removals can occupy a crew for a full day or longer, especially if sections must be lowered around buildings or equipment needs repositioning. These are on-site ranges; travel, setup, and disposal can affect the total job price without appearing as separate labor hours.
Labor rates differ by location and by the skill and equipment required. A rough comparison rate is $75-$150 per worker-hour, but a customer should not multiply that figure mechanically to predict a quote. Companies may price the full job based on risk, insurance, mobilization, equipment, and responsibility for the site, rather than bill each worker’s time separately.
Ask what crew size and equipment the estimate assumes, and whether the price changes if the job takes longer. A quote that includes a bucket truck or crane may be higher upfront but can reduce time or risk on a difficult site. For a straightforward tree with clear access, the same machinery may be unnecessary. The estimator can explain why a particular approach is included.
Weather, ground saturation, and restricted work hours can delay scheduling. If a town requires traffic control or a street closure, setup and coordination may extend the job. Homeowners should also clarify whether the crew expects clear access to the work area, including gates, parked vehicles, and movable outdoor furniture.
When Stump Grinding and Wood Hauling Raise the Bill
Tree removal does not always include grinding the stump or taking every piece of wood away. Stump grinding commonly costs $100-$600 per stump, often around $3-$6 per inch of stump diameter, though minimum charges and access limits can change the per-inch price. Grinding depth and whether the crew removes the resulting chips should be stated in the quote.
Hauling and disposal may add roughly $100-$800, depending on how much material the tree produces and the distance to a disposal site. Large trunks, numerous branches, and multiple loads increase the charge. Keeping firewood or leaving chips on the property may reduce hauling, but the crew may charge for bucking, stacking, or moving material to a requested location.
Removal, stump grinding, and debris hauling should be itemized so the homeowner can see which service is driving the total. A quote for $1,200 that includes complete hauling and grinding can compare favorably with a $900 quote that leaves the stump and wood behind. Verify whether cleanup includes small branches and sawdust, and whether soil or lawn repair is excluded.
Other possible charges include a minimum visit fee, equipment delivery, or extra work to protect paving and landscaping. These are not automatic charges; they depend on the work plan and site. Ask the estimator to identify any likely add-ons before work begins and to obtain approval before expanding the scope.
How Davey Prices Compare With Local Tree Services
Davey Tree is a large, established provider, while local companies range from small climbing crews to firms with cranes and multiple service lines. Neither category guarantees the lowest price. A local operator may offer a lower quote for a straightforward backyard job, while a larger provider may have resources suited to complex removals, hazardous trees, or coordinated tree-care needs.
For a comparable 30-60-foot tree with standard access, a broad U.S. budget might be $600-$2,000 from either type of provider. A difficult large-tree removal can fall between $2,000 and $6,000 or more, regardless of company size. Regional labor, tree risk, equipment, and scope explain much of the variation. These ranges are planning estimates, not a claim that Davey charges a set premium or discount.
Compare insurance, scope, and cleanup alongside the dollar amount. Ask each company for proof of liability coverage and workers’ compensation, and check whether the estimate includes the same stump and hauling services. For high-risk work, ask who will supervise the job and how limbs will be controlled near buildings. A written description makes differences between bids easier to spot.
A certified arborist’s assessment may be useful when a homeowner is uncertain whether removal is necessary or when a tree has structural problems. An assessment or consultation may carry a separate fee, commonly around $100-$300, depending on the provider and scope; some companies may apply it toward approved work. Confirm the charge before booking.
How Region and Emergency Timing Shift Davey Pricing
Local labor and operating costs create meaningful differences between U.S. markets. Dense metro areas, high-wage coastal regions, and places with difficult parking or disposal logistics may price 10%-30% above a national planning baseline. Rural markets may be 10%-20% lower for routine work, although long travel distances or scarce equipment can erase that gap. These percentages are general comparisons, not guaranteed Davey adjustments.
Storm demand can temporarily tighten crew availability. An emergency removal after a windstorm, lightning strike, or sudden failure may cost 20%-50% more than a planned appointment when it requires rapid dispatch, after-hours work, or immediate hazard control. Severe damage can also make the job more complicated than ordinary removal. Homeowners should ask whether the price covers stabilization only or complete removal and disposal.
Urgency, local rules, and site access can matter more than the calendar month. Some municipalities require permits for protected or street trees, and rules vary by city and tree condition. Permit costs may be $0-$500 or more, with additional time for approval. A tree on public land or near a public right-of-way may need a municipal inspection, traffic control, or utility coordination.
For a non-emergency job, request the next available standard appointment and ask whether scheduling flexibility changes the estimate. If a permit or utility clearance is needed, get the responsible party and expected delay documented. Do not assume a homeowner’s insurance policy pays for removal; coverage often depends on the cause of damage and whether a covered structure was affected.