Tree Removal Cost in Chicago

If you’re wondering “How much does tree removal cost in Chicago?”, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re dealing with a dead tree near your house, planning to clear a mature oak, or just exploring your landscaping options, it helps to know the numbers, understand the factors, and prepare for what trees services will ask of you.

In this pillar post, we’ll dive into:

• Typical cost ranges specific to Chicago
• Key factors that drive pricing (tree size, location, species, safety, permits)
• How to read and compare quotes from tree removal services
• How to plan your budget and avoid surprises
• Local regulations and environmental considerations in Chicago
• Tips and best practices for hiring the right professional

We’ll also include expert insight from arborists and tree‑service pros to give you deeper context and real‑life advice. By the end, you’ll have a data‑driven and actionable roadmap to move forward with confidence.

Average Tree Removal Cost in Chicago

To anchor your expectations, let’s look at what tree removal tends to cost in and around Chicago. Because each project is unique, we’ll include national data as well — but focus on local Illinois/Chicago figures.

Chicago‑specific data:

• According to one guide, the average cost to remove a tree in Chicago is around $1,300, with a range of approximately $500 to $2,200, depending on height and accessibility.
• Another source reports a typical price for medium trees in Chicago in 2025 is between $650.75 and $879.99 per tree.
• A third resource shows average costs of tree removal in Chicago at around $661–$768, with a range from $607 to $822 for medium trees.
• One cost‑report lists a fixed fee of about $475.15 for a standing tree under 30 ft in Chicago, with a noted range around $424.84‑$525.46.

Because every property and tree is different, average prices only provide a starting point. For a more personalized estimate, try our Chicago tree removal cost calculator before requesting an on-site quote.

Tree Removal Cost by Size in Chicago

Tree size is the single biggest cost driver. Taller trees take longer to cut, need more rigging, and often require a crane. Here’s what to expect by height:

Bigger trees also cost more per foot removed. Height alone doesn’t set the price — trunk diameter, species, and how close the tree sits to a structure or power line all push costs up or down within these ranges.

Tree Removal Cost by Trunk Diameter (Per-Inch Pricing)

Some Chicago tree services quote by height, others quote per inch of trunk diameter at breast height (DBH). Per-inch pricing tends to run:

• Removal: roughly $8 – $25 per inch DBH, depending on access and whether a crane is needed
• Stump grinding: roughly $2 – $6 per inch of stump diameter, often with an $80–$160 minimum trip fee

Chicago Tree Removal Estimates for Common Situations

The following estimates answer some of the most common questions Chicago homeowners ask before requesting a tree removal quote. These are ballpark figures, not guaranteed prices. Tree condition, trunk diameter, equipment access, utility lines, permits, emergency response and cleanup requirements can significantly change the final cost.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a 50-Foot Oak Tree in Chicago?

Removing a 50-foot oak tree in Chicago will generally cost approximately $1,150 to $2,200 when stump grinding and debris hauling are included.

A possible cost breakdown is:

Oak trees often have thick trunks, heavy limbs and dense hardwood, which can increase labor and equipment requirements. A tree with easy driveway access may fall near the lower end of the range. If it is close to a house, fence, alley, garage or utility line, the total could exceed $2,500, especially when crane service or traffic control is necessary.

For context, current Chicago estimates place typical tree removal costs between approximately $207 and $2,072, with an average near $777, although large and complicated trees frequently cost more.

Which Tree Removal Companies Serve Lincoln Park and Work Near Utility Lines?

Homeowners in Lincoln Park can consider requesting estimates from the following tree-service providers:

• Hendricksen Tree Care: Its website specifically lists Lincoln Park among its North Chicago service areas. It provides tree and stump removal and states that its crews can work in sensitive locations near buildings and power lines.
• Progressive Tree Service: Serves Greater Chicago and advertises free estimates, ISA Certified Arborists, stump grinding, emergency response and full insurance coverage.
• SavATree Chicago: Provides tree removal, stump grinding, storm cleanup and emergency tree services throughout Chicago.
• Davey Tree: Offers removal services through ISA Certified Arborists and states that its tree-removal teams are bonded and insured.

Hendricksen specifically lists Lincoln Park within its service area. Progressive, SavATree and Davey publicly describe their relevant removal, insurance or emergency-service capabilities.

For a dead maple under utility lines, a realistic preliminary budget is approximately $800 to $2,500. Tree height, distance from energized lines, accessibility and whether the utility must temporarily secure or de-energize the line will affect the quote.

Never allow an unqualified crew to cut a tree that is touching or threatening an electrical line. ComEd advises property owners to contact the utility before arranging work near electrical equipment. Work around power lines should only be completed by properly trained line-clearance professionals.

How Can I Get Three Written Quotes for Emergency Storm-Damage Removal?

Actual written quotes require an on-site or virtual inspection. To compare three options, request itemized estimates from companies such as:

1. A-1 Tree Services
2. SavATree Chicago
3. Davey Tree or another ISA-credentialed Chicago arborist

Ask every contractor to provide the following information in writing:

• Emergency response or after-hours charge
• Tree cutting and sectional removal cost
• Crane, bucket truck or rigging charges
• Roof, fence or structure-access requirements
• Stump grinding cost
• Log, branch and wood-chip hauling
• Complete site cleanup
• Permit responsibility
• Proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance
• Photographs and documentation for the insurance claim

Emergency removal usually costs more than scheduled work because the company may need to dispatch a crew immediately, stabilize a dangerous tree and work around damaged structures. National emergency-removal estimates can reach approximately $1,475 to $4,500, but the Chicago price must be determined after inspecting the damage.

A-1 Tree Services publicly states that it provides 24-hour emergency service and accepts insurance claims. Other companies may provide photographs, reports or invoices, but homeowners should confirm whether direct insurance-claim assistance is included.

Which Chicago Tree Services Offer Free Estimates and Permit Assistance?

Based on publicly available service information:

A-1 Tree Services states that it offers free estimates and manages permit acquisition as part of its Chicago tree-service process. SavATree, Davey, Hendricksen and County Tree Service also advertise free estimates or consultations, but permit filing should be confirmed in the written proposal.

What Do Full-Service Tree Removal Packages Cost in Chicago?

Chicago tree companies normally prepare custom proposals instead of advertising fixed packages. However, homeowners can use the following ranges for budgeting:

Stump grinding and root removal are not the same service. Grinding normally reduces the stump several inches below grade but leaves much of the underground root system in place. Complete root removal requires excavation and may damage nearby turf, patios, utilities or landscaping.

Before accepting a package, ask whether it includes:

• Grinding depth
• Surface-root grinding
• Removal of grinding chips
• Topsoil and backfilling
• Removal of logs and firewood
• Final raking and lot cleanup
• Lawn or landscape restoration
• Permit and utility coordination

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a 30-Inch Ash Tree from a Tight Backyard?

A 30-inch-diameter ash tree in a restricted Chicago backyard may cost approximately $1,500 to $3,500 for removal. Adding stump grinding and complete hauling could bring the total to approximately $1,800 to $4,000.

Although a basic per-inch calculation of $8 to $25 per inch produces a figure of $240 to $750, that calculation does not adequately account for a large tree in a difficult location. Contractors normally add charges for crew time, rigging, crane service, alley access, protection of buildings and fences, hauling and minimum service requirements.

Companies to screen for this type of project include:

• A-1 Tree Services
• Progressive Tree Service
• SavATree Chicago
• Davey Tree

Can I Get Same-Week Chicago Tree Removal for Under $800?

Removing a backyard willow for less than $800 may be possible when:

• The tree is relatively small
• Equipment can reach it easily
• It is not touching a building or utility line
• No crane is required
• The stump is left in place
• The homeowner keeps the logs or wood chips
• The work can be added to an existing nearby route

A larger willow, a restricted backyard or a job requiring stump grinding and complete hauling will likely exceed $800.

Companies advertising emergency or rapid-response tree services in the Chicago area include A-1 Tree Services,  SavATree Chicago, County Tree Service and Prairie Tree Care. However, same-week scheduling and an under-$800 price cannot be guaranteed without an inspection.

When calling, ask:

“Do you have a cancellation opening or an existing crew working near my neighborhood this week? Please quote removal with and without stump grinding and debris hauling.”

Removing optional services from the first visit may help keep the initial price below the target budget.

Do Chicago Tree Companies Charge Per Inch?

Some tree services use trunk diameter at breast height, or DBH, as one part of their pricing calculation. However, most established Chicago companies provide a total project quote rather than publishing a fixed tree-removal price per inch.

A reasonable preliminary benchmark is:

• Tree removal: approximately $8–$25 per inch of DBH
• Stump grinding: approximately $2–$6 per inch of stump diameter
• Possible minimum service charge: approximately $80–$160

An older Chicago-area cost report listed stump grinding at approximately $3.80 to $4.09 per diameter inch, excluding minimum charges, surface-root removal and multi-stump discounts. Because that report is not current, it should only be treated as a comparison point.

Per-inch pricing becomes less reliable when a tree requires a crane, specialized rigging, utility coordination or difficult backyard access. Ask every contractor to show whether the quoted amount covers only cutting or also includes hauling, stump grinding and cleanup.

How Do I Find Bonded and Insured Arborists for Utility-Line Removal?

For tree work near utility lines, look for a company that can provide:

• A current certificate of general liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation coverage
• Bonding information when applicable
• An ISA Certified Arborist credential
• Line-clearance-trained workers
• A written safety and removal plan
• Permit and utility-coordination details

A-1 Tree Services describes itself as licensed, bonded and fully insured and states that it provides permit acquisition. Davey states that its ISA Certified Arborists performing tree removal are bonded and insured. Hendricksen is a TCIA-accredited company with ISA-certified arborists and experience working in sensitive locations near power lines.

Remember that arborist certification does not automatically qualify someone to work around energized conductors. Contact ComEd first when a tree or broken branch is touching, leaning toward or hanging over an electrical line.

Are Chicago Tree Removal Discounts Available During Summer?

Tree-removal promotions change frequently, and no broadly advertised, verifiable summer 2026 discount was identified on the Chicago company pages reviewed for this guide. Most reputable companies invite homeowners to request a custom estimate rather than publishing fixed promotional prices.

Homeowners can still ask about:

• Multi-tree removal discounts
• Combined removal and stump-grinding rates
• Discounts for neighbors booking on the same day
• Flexible-date or route-based pricing
• Reduced prices when logs or wood chips remain on-site
• Discounts for grinding several stumps during one visit
• Off-season scheduling

Bundling multiple trees into one visit can reduce mobilization, equipment and hauling costs. Off-season tree removal may also cost less in some markets because winter demand is lower, although savings are not guaranteed for every Chicago job.

Request at least three itemized estimates and ask each company to show the standard price, any bundle reduction and the cost of optional services separately. This makes it easier to determine whether a promotion provides a genuine saving or simply removes an essential service such as hauling or stump grinding.

Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Chicago Tree Removal Quote

Before signing a contract, confirm the following:

1. Is tree removal, debris hauling and cleanup included?
2. Is stump grinding included, and how deep will the stump be ground?
3. Are surface roots or complete root removal included?
4. Will the company obtain any required Forestry permit?
5. Has the company coordinated with ComEd when utility lines are involved?
6. Can the company provide current insurance documentation?
7. Will an ISA Certified Arborist supervise or assess the work?
8. Are crane, traffic-control and emergency charges included?
9. Will lawn, fence, driveway or landscape damage be repaired?
10. Is the final price fixed, or can additional charges be added?

A detailed written proposal is more valuable than the lowest verbal estimate. It helps prevent unexpected charges and makes it easier to compare Chicago tree-removal companies on an equal basis.

Free Tree Removal Estimates in Greater Chicago

Online tree-removal calculators can provide a rough idea of cost, but they cannot evaluate access restrictions, tree stability or risks surrounding the property.

A-1 Tree Services offers free estimates for customers throughout the Greater Chicago area. During an assessment, the tree-service team can evaluate:

• Tree height and trunk diameter
• Tree species and wood density
• Dead, weak or damaged branches
• Space available for lowering sections
• Access for workers and equipment
• Stump-grinding requirements
• Hauling and cleanup needs

A detailed estimate allows the homeowner to understand exactly which services are included and whether any optional work can be scheduled separately.

Why Consider A-1 Tree Services?

Greater Chicago property owners may consider A-1 Tree Services when they need a local company that can assess the entire project and explain the work before it begins.

Key benefits include:

• Service throughout the Greater Chicago area
• Free tree-service estimates
• Licensed and insured operation
• Residential and commercial tree services
• Tree removal and stump-grinding options
• Emergency and storm-damage solutions
• Debris removal and cleanup options
• Written pricing based on the property’s actual conditions

A professional assessment can help homeowners understand whether a tree needs immediate removal or whether trimming, pruning or another tree-care solution may be appropriate.