Height is the first thing most people think about when budgeting a tree removal, and it does matter: a taller tree has more wood to cut, lower and haul. But height alone does not set the price. A 50-foot pine in an open field and a 50-foot oak leaning over a house are different jobs. This guide shows published ranges by height, with sources, and explains how size interacts with everything else.
Published ranges by height
| Tree height | Angi (2026) | CostFigure (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Small: under 30 ft | $150 to $450 | $200 to $500 |
| Medium: 30 to 60 ft | $450 to $1,200 | $500 to $1,200 |
| Large: 60 to 80 ft | $800 to $1,500 | $800 to $1,800 |
| Very large: over 80 ft | $1,000 to $2,000 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
National ranges retrieved October 10, 2026, not Roanoke-specific quotes. Angi puts the average removal around $750 and cites jobs up to $10,000 for large trees near power lines; CostFigure cites $2,000 to $5,000 for emergency storm removals.
Small trees (under 30 feet)
Ornamentals, young volunteers, overgrown shrubs that became trees, and small evergreens. Often cut from the ground and chipped on site. Price rises if the tree is tight against a house or fence, or if roots have to come out for a patio or foundation. Grinding the stump is usually extra; see the stump grinding cost guide.
Medium trees (30 to 60 feet)
The most common residential removal in the Roanoke Valley: maples, pines, younger oaks and poplars. If there is a clear landing zone, the tree may be felled whole. In most yards it is climbed or reached by bucket truck and removed in sections, which adds time.
Large trees (60 to 80 feet)
Mature oaks, tulip poplars and big pines. These are heavy, and in older neighborhoods they often stand over roofs, garages and lines. Expect rigging, possibly a crane, and a crew of several people for a day or more. Dense hardwoods such as oak add weight, which affects rigging and hauling.
Very large trees (over 80 feet)
Big tulip poplars and old oaks can exceed 80 feet. Removing them safely near structures may require a crane and careful planning. Published ranges are a floor, not a ceiling, for these jobs.
Factors that override size
- Targets: houses, decks, fences, gardens and lines in the drop zone.
- Access: steep backyards, narrow gates and no driveway access are common here.
- Condition: dead or decayed trees can be unsafe to climb, requiring a lift or crane.
- Trunk diameter and spread: a wide-crowned tree has more wood than a narrow one of equal height.
- Cleanup: hauling everything costs more than leaving firewood or chips.
- Urgency: storm and after-hours work costs more.
How to get a comparable estimate
Ask every company to quote the same scope: removal, chipping, wood hauling or left in rounds, stump grinding (separately), and cleanup. Ask for proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance. Our main Roanoke tree removal cost guide has more on comparing quotes, and our remove or trim guide may save you a removal altogether.
Measuring your tree
You do not need an exact height to get a useful estimate, but a rough idea helps. Compare the tree with your house: a two-story roof peak is often in the 25 to 35 foot range. Note the trunk diameter at chest height too.
Height is not the only factor
Two trees of the same height can differ greatly in price. Trunk diameter and wood weight, lean, dead or decayed wood that makes climbing dangerous, and targets underneath can each move a job into a higher bracket. A 40-foot tree over a house may cost more than a 70-foot tree in an open field.
Measuring a tree
For a rough height, compare the tree to a known object, such as a two-story house, or use a phone app. For diameter, measure the trunk's circumference at chest height and divide by about 3.14. Sending both figures with photos helps companies quote more accurately.
Size categories side by side
| Category | Typical examples | Angi 2026 | CostFigure 2026 | What usually drives the price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 30 ft) | Ornamentals, young trees | $150 to $450 | $200 to $500 | Access, debris hauling |
| Medium (30 to 60 ft) | Many yard maples, pines | $450 to $1,200 | $500 to $1,200 | Whether it can be felled or must be sectioned |
| Large (60 to 80 ft) | Mature oaks, tulip poplars | $800 to $1,500 | $800 to $1,800 | Rigging, wood weight, targets |
| Very large (over 80 ft) | Old-growth yard trees | $1,000 to $2,000 | $1,200 to $2,500 | Crane, crew size, hauling |
Species examples are typical, not size guarantees. Ranges retrieved 2026-10-10; national, not Roanoke quotes.
When size ranges do not apply
Trees on or over structures, near power lines, dead and brittle, or requiring a crane can fall outside these ranges. Angi cites jobs of up to $10,000 for large trees near power lines.
Small tree removal: DIY or not?
A small tree well away from buildings and lines may be a manageable DIY job with proper protective gear. Anything that requires climbing, roping, or a chainsaw above shoulder height is better left to a professional crew.
Budget checklist
- Estimate height and trunk diameter, and photograph what is under the tree.
- Decide what happens to the wood and stump.
- Check whether the tree is in a right-of-way.
- Get two or three written quotes with the same scope.
How companies measure size
Some price by height, others by trunk diameter, and many simply estimate the hours and crew needed. Height affects how much rigging and climbing is needed; diameter affects how heavy the wood is and how long it takes to cut and haul. Ask how the estimate was built so you can compare.
Reading the ranges sensibly
The overlap between categories in the published ranges reflects real variation: a medium tree over a house can cost more than a large tree in an open field. Treat the table as a guide to the order of magnitude, then let on-site estimates set the number.
Small trees (under 30 ft)
Ornamentals and young yard trees are often felled in one or two pieces. Costs are driven mostly by access and debris disposal. If several small trees are coming out, bundling them is usually cheaper.
Medium trees (30 to 60 ft)
This size covers many yard maples and pines. In an open yard they may be felled whole; near houses they are often climbed and sectioned, which is where price jumps within the range.
Large trees (60 to 80 ft)
Mature oaks and tulip poplars in this class have heavy limbs that must be rigged down. Expect a larger crew, more time and more debris to handle.
Very large trees (over 80 ft)
These may need a crane or several days. Crane access across a lawn, setbacks from overhead lines and ground firmness all matter. The published ranges are a floor rather than a ceiling for difficult giants.
Questions that change a size-based quote
- Can the tree be felled whole, or must it be sectioned?
- Is there a crane-accessible spot nearby?
- Are there power lines in or near the canopy?
- Is the wood sound, or dead and brittle?
- What happens to the logs, brush and stump?
- Is the tree in a public right-of-way?
Multiple trees on one property
When several trees of different sizes come out together, setup, travel and equipment costs are shared. Ask for a per-tree breakdown so you can drop the lower-priority trees if the total is over budget.
Size plus location: extra steps that affect cost
- Service line nearby: Appalachian Power asks for at least two business days' notice to disconnect a service drop; Bedford Electric does the same at no charge.
- Right-of-way tree: a VDOT land use permit is required to cut trees in a VDOT-maintained right-of-way.
- City street tree in Roanoke: a city permit with possible security of up to $1,000.
- Stump grinding afterward: Virginia 811 needs three working days' notice.
Sources
- Angi, Tree Removal Cost [2026 Data]: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-tree-removal-cost.htm
- CostFigure, Tree Removal Cost Calculator (2026): https://costfigure.com/home-improvement/how-much-does-tree-removal-cost/
Common questions
How much does it cost to remove a 50-foot tree?
Published 2026 national ranges for 30 to 60 foot trees are $450 to $1,200 (Angi) and $500 to $1,200 (CostFigure). Access, targets and condition can push a real quote outside that range.
Is stump grinding included in tree removal prices?
Usually not. It is typically a separate line item.
Why do two similar trees have very different quotes?
Access, what is underneath, condition and cleanup scope often matter more than height.