Tree Removal Costs

In Portland, the cost of removing a single tree ranges from $200 to $2000+. However, since medium-sized trees form the largest percentage in the city, a tree removal cost of $400 to $1,200 is more common, with a median cost of around $800 being charged for the typical average-sized tree.

Factors like tree size, accessibility, and stability play a key role in the tree removal cost. In the following section, we will show you how exactly these factors affect the cost of removing a tree.

Tree Removal Cost Factors in Portland, OR

1. Tree Size

The height of a tree is directly proportional to its weight – this means that taller trees are generally heavier than their smaller counterparts. This often makes advanced tree removal gear – such as cranes – necessary when removing taller trees. In Portland, the cost of renting tools like cranes is often charged separately – this leads to a higher tree removal cost.

The trunk diameter plays a key role in the time needed to bring a tree down. When removing a tree, professionals have to cut through the tree trunk – the bigger the trunk diameter, the more the time needed to cut through. In Portland, Oregon, the trunk diameter increases with tree height. More weight and a bigger trunk diameter make the large trees costlier to remove.

Very Large Tree Removal Cost

These trees are taller than 100 feet and have a trunk diameter of more than 24 inches. In Portland, Oregon, some of the trees that fit in this category include white pine, sequoia, mature palm and eucalyptus. To remove very large trees, professionals need multiple days and often charge $1,300 to $2000.

Large Tree Removal Cost

Large trees grow to be 60 to 100 feet tall, with a trunk diameter of 20 to 24 inches. Some of the trees that fit in this category include sycamore and the conifer species. To remove a large tree, professionals need one or more days. The entire procedure costs $900 to $1,200.

Medium Tree Removal Cost

These trees have a height of 30 to 60 feet. Their trunk diameter sits between 15 and 19 inches. Some of the trees that fit in the medium category include the crab apple, copper wood, and red maple. Medium tree removal takes 4 to 8 hours and costs $450 to $900.

Small Tree Removal Cost

These trees require an hour or two to remove. They are extremely light, growing to a maximum height of 30 feet and a maximum trunk diameter of 15 inches. Examples of trees classified in this category include dogwood, California juniper, Japanese maple, magnolia, and the crape myrtle. To remove one of these trees, you will spend $150 to $400.

2. Crane-Assisted Removal

Trees in the “very large” and “large” categories are generally too heavy to be handled by normal tree removal gear, especially when they are sitting in areas where the risk of property damage is very high. Cranes make it much easier for the tree removal experts to control the tree’s falling direction.

In Portland, Oregon, cranes are generally rented separately. The tree owner pays $200 to $600 to hire a crane for one day. Homeowners often need to pay an additional $50 to $100 to hire a crane operator, which brings the total cost of renting a crane for a day to $250 – $700.

If your tree removal team had charged $2000 to bring your tree down, the cost may increase to $2,250 – $2,700 if a crane is needed.

3. Tree Species

Different types of trees will have different trunk diameters and heights. Also, the soil and weather in Portland city support the growth of both hardwood and softwood trees. Tall, hardwood trees, with huge trunk diameters, are costlier to remove compared to small, softwood trees.

Below, we have listed the common tree removal costs for the trees that grow in different parts of Portland city:

Oak Tree Removal Cost

Oak trees have heights ranging from 60 to 100 feet. The tree has a hardwood structure and often takes a lot of time to cut through. To remove your oak tree, you should expect a removal cost ranging from $800 to $1,200.

Magnolia Tree Removal Cost

Magnolia trees are small, maturing at a height of below 30 feet. On average, you should expect to spend $75 – $500 on the removal of magnolia trees.

Sycamore Tree Removal Cost

Sycamores are medium-sized, with their mature height ranging from 30 to 60 feet. Professional removal of the sycamore trees sits between $600 and $900.

Pine Tree Removal Cost

Pine trees reach maturity at a height of 80 to 150 feet. This makes the pine tree expensive to remove. At maturity, your pine tree will cost $1000 to $2000+ to remove.

4. Tree Condition

A variety of tree conditions affect the level of effort needed when removing a tree. Some of the conditions common in Portland include:

Decays and Cavities

A tree with decaying sections or cavities is very unstable. The tree’s removal process has to be handled carefully to minimize the possibility of the tree falling and causing damage to the nearby utilities. This may drive the tree removal cost up.

Weak Branches

When the limbs on a tree are showing signs of weakness and looking like they might fall unexpectedly during tree removal, tree pruning may be needed to eliminate the possibility of injuries and property damages. The tree pruning procedure may increase the amount needed to get rid of the tree.

Multiple Trunks

In Portland, trees with multiple trunks are pretty common. Multiple trunks become a problem when they have a weak link between them – the weak link may make it necessary to remove the trunks one by one. This may increase the tree removal time and hence the overall tree removal cost.

Fallen Trees

Fallen trees are much easier to remove since the work of bringing the tree down is already done. This puts the fallen tree removal cost between $75 and $150. However, in the case of trees lying on buildings and utility lines, the fallen tree removal cost may be slightly higher since more work is needed to bring the tree down with increasing the damage that is already done.

Dead Trees

Compared to live trees, dead trees are much lighter – this has to do with the fact that once trees die, they start drying, losing much of the water that increases tree weight. The less weight makes dead trees easier to bring down, with tree removal professionals charging $75 to $400 for the procedure.

5. Additional Cost

Tree removal procedures are often accompanied by extra tasks that require the tree owners to pay some extra money. The most common extra costs associated with tree removal include:

Stump Removal

If you would like the tree removal professionals to remove the tree stump after bringing down your tree, you should expect to spend between $100 and $150. In cases where homeowners need the professional to remove several tree stumps, the following costs are applicable:

• Per stump price – The first stump will cost you $150. The remaining tree stumps may cost $50 each.
• Per hour cost – You will be charged $150 for every hour spent on stump removal.
• Diameter inch cost – Measured at the point closest to the ground, every inch of the stump’s diameter will cost you $2 to $3. You may, however, spend a minimum of $100 on every tree stump, irrespective of how small its diameter is.

Tree Chipping

This procedure involves cutting the tree trunk into small, portable chips. Tree chipping will set you back $50 to $100 per tree.

Wood Splitting

If you do use firewood in your home, this procedure may be ideal for you. You will be charged $50 to $100 for your tree trunk to be turned into firewood.

Travel Fees

This is a rare cost as it applies to homeowners who decide to hire a tree removal company that lives too far from their homes. Working with a team closer to your home helps you avoid the travel fee.

In Portland, tree removal experts charge a travel fee of $0.5 per mile. Some companies, however, may prefer a fixed cost between $50 and $200 depending on the distance covered.

Permits and Licenses

Permits and licenses are legal requirements for tree removals in Portland, Oregon. To get a permit, you will have to pay $60 to $150, with the price changing depending on the tree’s value to the environment.

Inconvenience Cost

This cost is generally applicable to homeowners who need emergency tree removals. When you ask the tree removal experts to handle a tree removal immediately, they won’t have enough time to prepare themselves. Additionally, they may need to put aside several lined up tree services to help restore safety in your home. These inconveniences attract an extra cost of about 10% of the normal tree removal cost.

Note: Before you become worried about the extra cost, it is important to note that most home insurers do cover the cost. Therefore, before paying for the emergency tree removal cost out of your pocket, give your home insurer a call.