Written by Zachary McCurry, ISA Certified Arborist (Cert. #PN-10373A).

“How much will it cost to remove my tree?” is the question I get asked more than any other, and there is no single honest answer to give over the phone. Tree removal in the Seattle area typically runs anywhere from about $170 for a small ornamental tree to well over $2,000 for a large, hard-to-access evergreen, and the only way to land on a real number is an on-site assessment. Here is what actually moves that price, so you know what to expect before an arborist ever sets foot on your property.

What Actually Drives the Cost of Tree Removal

Tree removal pricing is not a flat rate. It is built from a handful of real, measurable factors:

• Size and height: Taller trees take longer to remove and often require climbing or aerial equipment to reach the upper canopy safely.
• Species: Trees with dense wood, complex branch structure, or extensive root systems, mature oaks and maples for example, generally take more time and specialized technique than a straightforward pine or cedar.
• Access and location: A tree on a steep, wooded lot or wedged between a house and a fence takes longer and requires more careful rigging than one standing alone in an open yard.
• Proximity to structures or power lines: Work near a roof, deck, or utility line requires more precise, section-by-section removal instead of a straightforward fell.
• Permits: In Seattle, trees over 12 inches in diameter, certain protected species, and any tree in an Environmentally Critical Area (steep slopes, wetlands, shoreline zones) typically require a permit before removal, and some permitted removals require replacement planting. See our tree permit guide for the details that apply to your city.
• Cleanup and disposal: Hauling debris away, chipping it, or splitting it into firewood all take time and factor into the final price.

Typical Price Ranges by Tree Size

According to cost-data research from Angi, which compiles local pricing using regional cost-of-living data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Seattle-area tree removal generally falls into these ranges:

• Up to 30 feet: $170 to $500
• 30 to 60 feet: $500 to $1,350
• 60 to 80 feet: $890 to $1,700
• Over 80 feet: $1,150 to $2,250, often with an added crane fee of around $500 when the tree is too tall or too tightly positioned to fell safely by hand

Most Seattle homeowners end up paying somewhere around $833 for a single-tree removal, though a small ornamental tree in an open yard can come in well under that, and a mature Douglas fir over a garage can run well past it. Land clearing or multi-tree jobs are typically quoted per project rather than per tree.

Stump Grinding Is Usually a Separate Line Item

Most companies, including ours, price stump grinding separately from the removal itself. Expect roughly $90 to $160 for a single stump, with the cost scaling by trunk diameter, and a discount on additional stumps if you are clearing more than one at the same time. Grinding is the faster, less invasive option; full stump and root removal costs more and takes longer, since it involves excavating the root ball rather than just grinding the wood down below grade.

Why Two “Similar” Trees Can Cost Very Differently

I can look at two trees that seem nearly identical from the curb and give two very different quotes, and homeowners are sometimes surprised by that. The difference is almost always underneath the bark or underground: a tree with internal decay takes more time and more caution to bring down safely than a solid one the same height. A root system that has grown into a foundation or a sidewalk changes the whole approach to the job. Storm-damaged trees that need emergency response cost more because the crew is working under time pressure and often with compromised structural integrity, not because we are marking up the price. A generic per-foot number can get you in the right neighborhood, but it cannot account for what a certified arborist actually finds when they look at your specific tree.

Getting an Accurate Quote

The only way to get a number you can rely on is a free, on-site estimate. I will walk your property, assess the tree’s size, condition, and access, flag whether a permit applies, and give you a written quote that includes removal, cleanup, and stump grinding if you want it, with no surprise add-ons after the work starts. Emerald Arbor Care provides free, no-obligation estimates throughout Seattle, the Eastside, and the greater Puget Sound region. Call (206) 558-2814 or request a free estimate online and we will get you a straight answer.

Sources: Angi, Tree Removal Cost in Seattle, WA.