A tree beside the house needs to come down, and you want to know what a fair quote looks like. Its height matters, but so does the space the crew has to work and what you expect them to leave behind.
So tree removal costs $400 to $4,000 in Eisenhower Tree Care’s published Kansas City guide. Its small-tree range is $400 to $1,000, while large-tree removal is $2,500 to $4,000.
I checked that US contractor’s prices on October 24, 2026. Below I will explain the size categories, why access changes a job, and what older homeowners’ bills reveal about hauling and cleanup.
Tree Removal Prices by Size
Eisenhower’s prices are regional planning ranges, with a final estimate after its arborists inspect the tree. The company also separates an uprooted tree from one still standing.
The page does not give a height or trunk-diameter cutoff for these categories. A tree that you call medium may fall into a different category after an arborist sees its spread and surroundings.
It also does not itemize stump grinding or every disposal task within each range. Treat those as questions for the proposal, rather than assuming the headline price buys a fully restored lawn.
Why Two Similar Trees Can Have Different Quotes
Eisenhower identifies size, whether the tree is uprooted, access and the power equipment required as pricing factors. All four affect the work behind the total.
Consider a tree in an open yard and one overhanging a roof. Ask the estimator how the crew will control the pieces near the house and whether the proposed equipment is included in the price.
Access means more than the width of the gate. Show the estimator the route from the street, slopes, fences, parked vehicles and the ground the equipment would cross.
If the plan uses a crane or lift, ask where it will stand and who arranges access. Ask what you need to arrange before the crew arrives.
Do not try to make the job cheaper by cutting branches near power lines yourself. Tell the tree service about the lines and contact the utility about the situation before arranging work in that area.
Cutting the Tree Down or Clearing the Yard?
Think about the result you want to come home to. A tree on the ground, a pile of cut logs and a clear yard are three different finished conditions.
For a removal-and-hauling job, have the scope cover branches, trunk sections, chips and the final rake-up. If you want to keep the wood, agree on the piece size and where it will be stacked.
Keeping logs can avoid hauling that material, but it also gives you work to finish. I would only choose it if you have a use for the wood and room to handle it.
Stump grinding is another decision. Our stump removal cost guide explains grinding, root-ball excavation and the ground preparation left afterward.
A tree-removal proposal should still say how low the stump will be cut if grinding is excluded. Otherwise the remaining stump may be higher than you expected.
What Homeowners Paid for Different Scopes
These US Garage Journal posts are from May 2015. I kept them as historical examples of the work purchased, rather than presenting an old bill as a current offer.
- May 25, 2015: Eds_tls in northern Illinois paid $650 to remove a 30-foot pine and grind its stump. The competing estimates had been around $600 to $800.
- May 26, 2015: PugetDude paid $900 for two trees, including chipping, cleanup and hauling. They were about 50 and 30 feet tall; stump grinding was excluded.
- May 26, 2015: JimR1998 in suburban Philadelphia paid $2,000 for four trees. That covered a bucket truck, grass-protection mats and log hauling; chips stayed by request.
The Philadelphia member described separate stump work too. I have left that price in its original post because the tree-removal amount and the stump job covered different tree counts.
The useful comparison is the scope: one tree with grinding, two with hauling but no grinding, and four with logs removed but chips retained. A total divided by tree count would hide those differences.
Does a Fallen Tree Cost Less to Remove?
Eisenhower’s uprooted-tree range is $500 to $1,000. That is a category on its menu, not a promise that every storm-damaged tree will fit inside it.
A tree resting in the yard is a different situation from one caught in another tree or lying on the roof. Explain what it is touching and whether it moved during the storm when you request help.
Keep people away from a damaged tree and the area beneath hanging limbs. The International Society of Arboriculture warns that removing or pruning storm-damaged trees can be dangerous work.
If property has been damaged, document the scene from a safe place and contact your insurer about its claim requirements. Do not assume a tree service’s quoted total is the amount an insurance policy will reimburse.
Can the Tree Stay?
You may need an assessment before a removal quote. ISA identifies dead or dying trees, unacceptable risk, obstructions, crowding and conflicts with new construction as reasons to consider removal.
If the concern is one branch over a driveway or a tree’s health, ask whether pruning or treatment could address it. A lower removal bid does not answer whether the tree needs to come down at all.
Before booking, check with the local tree or planning office about permission to remove the tree, especially beside a street or property boundary. Ask who handles that step and any paperwork.
Getting a Quote You Can Use
For a large or difficult tree, arrange an on-site visit so the company can see the conditions behind the estimate.
Get a second quote for the same work, including equipment and debris handling. Ask for insurance details and references, and check who will actually do the job.
Finally, agree how lawn ruts, fence access and any damage will be handled. It is easier to settle those responsibilities while the crew is still planning its route than after the truck leaves.
Questions About Tree Removal Costs
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Large Tree?
Eisenhower Tree Care publishes $2,500 to $4,000 for large-tree removal in Kansas City. It does not define that category by a fixed height; its arborists give a site-specific estimate.
Is Stump Removal Included?
Eisenhower recommends stump grinding after removal and asks customers to request a quote for it. Its removal price table does not identify grinding as an inclusion.
Will Leaving the Wood Save Money?
The bills here do not show a hauling discount. JimR1998’s $2,000 job included log hauling while leaving the chips by request.
Can I Use a Price Per Foot to Estimate My Tree?
The verified contractor menu here uses size categories, not a universal rate per foot. Access, whether the tree is uprooted and the equipment required also affect its pricing.
Where These Prices Come From
Contractor prices checked October 24, 2026. The homeowner examples were posted in May 2015 and retain their original job descriptions.
- Eisenhower Tree Care: tree removal in Kansas City, company ranges and pricing factors.
- Garage Journal: tree removal pricing, individual homeowner posts linked above.
- International Society of Arboriculture: why hire an arborist?, reasons to consider removal.
I hope this helps you compare the job behind a tree-removal quote. If you have a recent US bill you would like to share, email costcheckr@gmail.com.
