Perhaps the better question to ask is if it’s more cost-effective to remove or trim a tree?
Protecting the health and well-being of your trees requires investment in terms of time, effort, and money. It can be costly to care properly for trees, yes, but it can be even more costly when you choose NOT to do so. If you enjoy the many benefits of having healthy, beautiful trees (such as lower energy bills, lowered stress and a greater sense of well-being, hosting local wildlife, and creating a positive environmental impact) then you’d be smart to consider how to keep those trees happy and healthy for the least possible cost. But it’s incredibly important to think long-term when you’re considering the investment in your trees.
Keeping your trees healthy can cost up to $1,000 for a large tree per trimming. Usually the price is lower (we work hard to keep our services affordable) but there’s no denying that it can be pricey to keep trees trimmed. Size makes a difference when it comes to the cost of tree trimming — trimming a 30-foot tree may cost under $300, while it could be between $500 and $900+ to trim a 60-foot tree. More height equals additional equipment, more danger, more time, more expertise, more potential hazards and simply many more branches to deal with.
But pruning a tree, when it has not been done for a long time, is often more complicated, and therefore more costly. It can take a lot more time and effort to prune a tree — particularly a very tall one — that has not been trimmed in a while. And that extra time and effort translates into extra cost for you. Tree pests and diseases also add to the complexity of trimming and tree care – and the longer an infestation has been allowed to grow, the more difficult (and more expensive) the cure will be.
Tree Emergency?
Emergency tree service can be very expensive. Any time you’re calling out a service provider in an emergency (whether electrician, plumber, or tree service) it’s going to cost more than the same service or repair done in non-urgent conditions. If a tree or its limbs have fallen onto a building, a car, a pool or a power line, the job carries more risk. Our crew will have to take extra precautions to avoid causing more damage to your home and its surroundings, and they have to take extra care to keep themselves safe, too.
In addition, tree removal prices usually go up after major storms and natural disasters because the demand for our services is so high (we pay technicians overtime for working more than 8 hours per day, and when there has been widespread damage, these services are dearly needed).
Some homeowners’ insurance policies cover part or all of the cost of removing fallen trees on personal property; check with your insurance company before paying out-of-pocket.
The prices for emergency tree service are definitely going to be higher than the cost of a routine pruning. Taking good care of your trees doesn’t guarantee that they won’t fall or be damaged in a big storm, but it’s one of the very best ways of improving your chances of avoiding having to call us in an emergency.
The Cost of Removal
How does the cost of pruning stack up against the cost of tree removal? Well, … that depends.
Taking out a small tree, of course, costs less than bringing down an 80-foot oak. And if a tree has almost nothing around it or near it, it is much easier – and therefore much less expensive – for us to remove. Pricing depends on many factors, including the size, type, condition and location of the tree. An average cost for tree removal is around $750. But, in general, pruning a small tree costs less than pruning a large tree, too, so, in most cases, your costs are going to be more or less proportional to the size of the tree, whether you’re talking about removal or trimming. It would be very unusual for it to cost more to prune an otherwise healthy tree than to remove it, but that can change if the tree is diseased or has a pest infestation. In most cases, the cost of routine maintenance is far less than the cost of tree removal services– and after the trimming, you still have the tree, while after the removal, you don’t.
Get a Detailed Professional Estimate
Before deciding between pruning and removal, allow us the opportunity to provide an affordable tree service quote. Every situation is unique. This is why we must visit to provide an estimate. Ask a local, trusted, professional tree service to come out and give you a detailed estimate (in Cincinnati, you can always call us here at Tree Images). We will gladly visit your property and let you know what is possible, and the specific costs associated with the work that your trees require.
Whether your yard is densely forested or just has light, young arboreal growth, we will work with you to provide the tree services you need. We take special care to tailor our services to the needs of every individual homeowner. Your property may need a great deal of work, but your budget might only allow some of it to happen this season. We understand those situations and can help you make a long-term plan. We understand the investment you make in your trees, and we want to be here to help you get the most out of it.
