If you've got a big maple leaning over the garage or a dead ash you're tired of looking at, the first question is almost always the same: what's this going to cost me? Fair question. Here's how tree removal pricing really works here in Mid-Michigan, and how to get a number you can actually trust.
What actually drives the cost
No two trees are the same. Price comes down to a handful of things we look at the moment we pull into your driveway. Understanding them helps you see why one quote is $400 and another is $2,500.
Size and height
This is the biggest factor by far. A 20-foot ornamental is a completely different job than a 70-foot silver maple towering over the roofline. Taller trees mean more climbing, more rigging, and more wood to cut, haul, and chip. Height and canopy spread together tell us how big the day is going to be.
Trunk diameter and wood density
A tall, skinny pine is not the same as a thick, heavy oak. Species matters. Oak, elm, and hard maple are dense and heavy, so every piece we lower weighs more and takes longer to process. A fat cottonwood trunk can hold a surprising amount of weight in a single cut.
Access
Can we back the truck and chipper right up to the tree, or are we carrying every log and branch through a narrow gate by hand? Good access keeps the job fast and the price down. A backyard tree boxed in by fences, sheds, and flower beds takes more time and care, and that shows up in the estimate.
Proximity to the house, wires, and fences
A tree standing alone in an open field can be felled in one drop. One threading between your roof, the neighbor's fence, and a power line has to come down piece by piece, roped and lowered carefully. That controlled, technical work is where a lot of the cost lives, and it's exactly what keeps your property safe.
Tree health and hazards
Dead, hollow, or storm-cracked trees are unpredictable. A rotten trunk can't be climbed safely, so we may need to change our whole approach. Extra risk means extra planning, and sometimes specialized equipment.
Typical price ranges in Mid-Michigan
Every job is different, and we'd never quote a tree we haven't seen. But folks want a ballpark, so here are honest ranges we see around the Greater Lansing area:
- Small trees (under 25 feet): roughly $150 to $450. Think ornamentals, small spruce, or a dead fruit tree.
- Medium trees (25 to 50 feet): roughly $400 to $900. Many yard maples and ash fall here.
- Large trees (50 to 75 feet): roughly $900 to $2,000. Mature oaks and big maples near the house.
- Very large trees (75 feet and up): $2,000 to $4,500 or more. Towering cottonwoods and old silver maples, especially tight to structures.
Treat these as a starting point, not a promise. The only way to get your real price is to have us come out and look. That's what our free written estimate is for. You can learn more on our tree removal service page.
Don't forget the stump
Most removal quotes cover taking the tree down and hauling away the wood and brush. The stump is usually a separate line item. Grinding a single stump often runs from about $75 to $150 and up, depending on diameter and how many you have.
Grinding is faster and cheaper than digging the whole root ball out, and it lets you reclaim the spot for grass or a new planting. If you want the stump handled the same day, just say so. See our stump grinding and removal service for how that works.
What can push the price higher
A few situations add cost, and it's fair to know them upfront:
- Storm and emergency work. A tree already on your roof or blocking the driveway is urgent, technical, and often has to happen right now. Our emergency tree service is priced for that urgency and the added risk.
- Crane or bucket needs. Some trees are too big or too boxed-in to climb safely, so specialized equipment comes into play.
- Difficult disposal. Extra hauling, or a customer who wants the wood cut to firewood length and stacked, takes more time.
On the flip side, a few things can lower the cost. Great access, an open drop zone, or leaving the wood chips on-site for your own mulch can all trim the number.
The cheapest quote isn't always the best
We've cleaned up after plenty of bargain jobs gone wrong. When a price seems too good to be true, ask what's missing. Is the company licensed and insured? Is cleanup included, or will you be raking sawdust and dragging brush for a week? Will they leave ruts across your yard?
Hayworth Tree Service is family-owned, licensed and insured, and we treat your property like it's our own. Our customers around Lansing and up through St. Johns tell us the cleanup is half of why they call us back. That's the standard, not an upsell.
How we give you an honest estimate
We keep it simple. Call us, and we'll come out at a time that works for you. We walk the property together, look at the tree, the access, and anything nearby that needs protecting. Then you get a free, written, no-obligation estimate with the price spelled out. No pressure, no surprises on the invoice.
One more thing: please don't try to drop a big tree yourself. Every year in Michigan, homeowners get hurt renting a chainsaw for a job that belonged to an insured crew. It isn't worth your roof, your fence, or your fingers.
Wondering what your tree would cost to remove? Call us at (208) 635-2100 for a free estimate, and we'll give you an honest number you can plan around.
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Hayworth Tree Service
