Tree species
Species changes three things: what removal costs, when the tree can safely be pruned, and whether local rules protect it. Fixr's 2025 species ranges show pine at $200 to $1,500, cedar at $500 to $2,000, sycamore at $700 to $2,500, oak at $900 to $2,000, and maple at $1,000 to $1,800. Identify your tree before you get quotes - it changes the conversation.
Species affects price through wood density, crown structure and size at maturity. A pine has a narrow crown and lighter wood; a mature oak has a wide spreading crown and dense heavy limbs that must be rigged down in small pieces. That is why Fixr's oak range starts where the pine range is well underway. Sycamore's wide $700 to $2,500 spread reflects how large the species gets.
Species also sets the pruning calendar. ISA warns that "susceptible trees should not be pruned during active transmission periods" for disease. Oaks and oak wilt are the well-known case in much of the country, and elms have their own considerations. The safe dates are regional - your state's cooperative extension service or a local certified arborist will know them for your county, and a generic answer from the internet will not.
Protection rules are intensely local and species-specific. Many cities have heritage or landmark tree ordinances that protect particular species above a certain trunk diameter, and some regions have habitat protections tied to species that host protected wildlife. There is no national list. Before you remove any large or unusual tree, call your city or county - usually the planning, urban forestry or arborist office - and ask whether the species and size on your property are regulated.
If you do not know what you have, find out cheaply. Your county extension service will usually identify a tree from photos of leaves, bark and overall form at no charge, and so will most certified arborists during a consultation. Getting removal quotes on an unidentified tree means you cannot check whether the price is reasonable for the species or whether the tree is protected.
Choosing tree service species
The judgement calls that decide the bill, before anyone quotes you.
- Identify the tree before you get quotes Photos of a leaf, the bark, and the whole tree, sent to your county extension service, will usually get you an answer for free.
- Ask your city about protected species and size thresholds Heritage and landmark tree rules are municipal and often keyed to both species and trunk diameter. Removing a protected tree without approval can carry heavy penalties.
- Match the quote to the species Fixr's ranges give you a sanity check: pine $200 to $1,500, oak $900 to $2,000, maple $1,000 to $1,800, sycamore $700 to $2,500, cedar $500 to $2,000. Well outside the range in either direction is worth a question.
- Check the disease window before scheduling pruning For oaks especially, pruning in the wrong season can introduce a fatal disease. Ask your local extension service for your county's dates.
- Think about what replaces it If a tree comes out, the replanting decision is a 40-year one. Your extension service publishes species lists suited to your region and soil - use them instead of whatever the nursery has on sale.
All tree service species
Oak Tree Care
Maple Tree Care
Pine Tree Care
Palm Tree Care
Elm Tree Care
Birch Tree Care
Cedar Tree Care
Ash Tree Care
Magnolia Tree Care
Crape Myrtle Care
Dogwood Tree Care
Cypress Tree Care
Eucalyptus Tree Care
Willow Tree Care
Fruit Tree Care Overview
Where these figures come from
Sources last checked
- Fixr - Tree Removal Cost (cost by species) · retrieved 2026-07-26
- ISA - Pruning Your Trees · retrieved 2026-07-26
You know more than the last homeowner they quoted.
That is worth something only while you are still choosing. Tell us what is going on and we will match you with a few tree service pros whose licence and insurance we have already checked - free, no obligation.
Free · No pressure · Only your matched pros get your details