Tree trimming costs $75 to $2,500 per tree in 2026
Tree trimming costs $75 to $2,500 per tree in 2026, and most jobs land between $400 and $900. Tree height and type move the price most. HomeGuide lists a national average of $650 per tree. Fixr lists an average of $450. LawnStarter lists $430 to $640 per tree. Tall trees cost more because crews need more gear and time. Small trees and shrubs cost far less.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists tree trimming at $400 to $900 per tree on average, with a national average of $650 and a range of $80 to $2,500 or more. |
| Fixr | Fixr lists a national average of $450 per tree, with a range of $175 to $750 and extremes of $75 and $1,800. |
| LawnStarter | LawnStarter lists tree trimming at $430 to $640 per tree, from $78 for small trees to $1,835 for trees over 60 feet. |
Tree trimming price by tree height and type
| Tree size or type | HomeGuide | LawnStarter |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 feet | $250 to $700 | $85 to $415 |
| 30 to 60 feet | $600 to $1,200 | $215 to $790 |
| Over 60 feet | $1,000 to $2,500+ | $475 to $1,835 |
| Crepe myrtle | $80 to $400 | $78 to $350 |
| Palm | $100 to $900 | $100 to $1,330 |
| Oak | $450 to $1,500 | $230 to $1,480 |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tree height | HomeGuide lists trees up to 30 feet at $250 to $700 and trees over 60 feet at $1,000 to $2,500 or more. Taller trees need more gear and risk. |
| Tree type | HomeGuide lists crepe myrtle at $80 to $400 and oak at $450 to $1,500. Some trees have thick limbs or tricky shapes that take more time. |
| Job difficulty | Fixr lists easy jobs at $75 to $300 and hard jobs at $600 to $1,800. Trees near homes or power lines are harder to work on. |
| Crew type | Fixr lists tree trimmers at $50 to $80 an hour and certified arborists at $85 to $120 an hour. Arborists cost more but know tree care. |
| Extra work | HomeGuide lists debris removal at $75 to $250 and minimum job fees of $100 to $300 or more. Ask if cleanup is in the quote. |
What the price includes
A trim price usually covers cutting the dead, weak, or long limbs with the crew and tools. Hauling away the branches may cost extra, and HomeGuide lists debris removal at $75 to $250. Stump grinding and tree removal are separate jobs. Many crews charge a minimum fee of $100 to $300 or more, even for small jobs. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
You can trim small trees and shrubs yourself. LawnStarter says gear such as a chainsaw, ladder, ropes, and pruning shears can cost up to $600. HomeGuide lists shrub trimming at $5 to $35 per bush. Tall trees are different. Falls and falling limbs hurt many people, and work near power lines is very risky. Hire a pro for trees over about 15 feet, for limbs near wires or your house, and for any job that needs a ladder with a saw. Check that the crew has insurance before work starts.
How to tell you need it
Look at your trees each season. Dead or broken limbs can fall in a storm. Branches that touch your roof, wires, or siding need to be cut back. Limbs that block light or views may need a trim too. Leaves that look sick or thin on one side can mean a problem. If a limb is near power lines, call a pro and do not climb.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the price is per tree or per hour.
- Ask if cleanup and branch haul away are included.
- Ask for proof of insurance and a written quote.
- Ask how tall the tree is and how they will reach it.
- Compare the total with the range above: $75 to $2,500 per tree for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Get three quotes in writing. Prices vary by crew, and HomeGuide lists a range of $400 to $900 per tree on average.
- Trim in the off season. Ask crews if they have slower months. Some give a lower rate when work is light.
- Group trees in one visit. Many crews charge a minimum fee of $100 to $300 or more, so one visit for several trees saves money.
- Ask if cleanup is included. HomeGuide lists debris removal at $75 to $250, so haul the branches yourself if you can.
- Trim small trees and shrubs yourself. HomeGuide lists shrubs at $5 to $35 each, and LawnStarter says gear can cost up to $600.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Crew labor, fuel, and haul away fees add up in 2026, with debris removal listed at $75 to $250 on top of the trim.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeGuide, Fixr and LawnStarter. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does it cost to trim a tree?
Most trees cost $400 to $900 to trim on average, says HomeGuide. Small trees can cost as little as $75 to $85.
How much does it cost to trim a large tree?
Trees over 60 feet cost $1,000 to $2,500 or more on HomeGuide and $475 to $1,835 on LawnStarter.
What is the hourly rate for tree trimming?
Fixr lists tree trimmers at $50 to $80 an hour and arborists at $85 to $120 an hour.
Is cleanup included in the price?
Not always. HomeGuide lists debris removal at $75 to $250, so ask before you agree.
Does the type of tree change the price?
Yes. HomeGuide lists crepe myrtle at $80 to $400 and oak at $450 to $1,500. Pine and cypress also cost more.