Birmingham Tree Service Pricing Guide
Trees offer considerable benefits to homeowners, including reduced energy costs and a potential increase in property value by up to 15%, according to Realtor.com. However, keeping your trees healthy involves some costs. Professional tree care—whether it’s routine pruning, disease management, or removing hazardous trees—is a necessary investment in maintaining your property.
Longtree Tree Service is here to help! To help you plan, we’ve outlined the average tree service costs in Birmingham below.
Birmingham Tree Service Pricing Overview
Each tree care project is unique, with its own set of factors and challenges. Even if your tree appears similar to your neighbor’s, the cost to remove it can vary significantly. That’s why we always conduct on-site evaluations to provide accurate, customized estimates tailored to your needs.
However, the pricing ranges below offer a general sense of what tree services typically cost in Birmingham:
Expert Tree Installation
Planting small trees under 6 feet tall generally costs between $50 and $300 each. On the other hand, installing large, mature trees can cost $1,200 or more. If you're planting several trees at once, many companies offer bundled pricing, which can help reduce the cost per tree.
Pruning Maintenance
Pruning smaller trees under 30 feet tall usually costs between $100 and $500. For larger trees, the price can increase from $500 to $3,000 or more, depending on the tree’s size, location, and the complexity of the task.
Trunk Health Injections
Some tree diseases can be treated or prevented with trunk injections using specialized chemical treatments. These injections generally start at around $50 each, but the overall cost can vary based on the size of the tree and the specific disease being treated.
Stump Removal and Grinding
The cost to remove a small tree stump usually ranges from $100 to $300, while larger or more difficult stumps can cost up to $1,000. The total price also depends on factors such as the stump's accessibility and how many stumps need to be ground during the job.
Downfall Removal
The cost to remove a fallen tree typically ranges from $100 to $1,000. While the tree’s size is the main factor, its position on the ground and how difficult it is to access can also influence the total price.
Tree Removal
The cost of basic tree removal depends on factors like the tree’s size, condition, and location. Smaller trees under 30 feet tall typically cost between $100 and $200, while larger or more complex removals can range from $3,500 to $7,000 or higher.
Heavy-Duty Crane Tree Removal
Tree removals that involve a crane are usually more expensive than standard removals. While the exact pricing can vary depending on the specifics of the job, using a crane typically adds an extra $1,000 to $2,000—or more—to the overall cost of the project.
What Impacts Tree Service Pricing in Birmingham?
The price ranges provided above give a general sense of what to expect, but the final cost of your tree service will depend on several key factors. These can include:
Size of the Tree
Handling large trees—whether it’s planting, pruning, or removal—requires more time, labor, and specialized equipment compared to smaller trees. It also poses higher risks to workers and nearby structures like homes, vehicles, and power lines.
Because of these factors, tree size plays a major role in determining the overall cost of tree services.
Type of Species
Some tree species are more challenging—or even hazardous—to work with, which can drive up service costs. For example, cottonwoods have brittle wood that makes climbing dangerous, while black locusts are covered in sharp thorns that create safety concerns.
Due to these added difficulties, pruning or removing these trees generally costs more than working on other species of similar size.
Tree Site Accessibility
The location of a tree significantly impacts the cost of care or removal. Trees in open, easily accessible front yards are usually less expensive to service compared to those in backyards, where limited access may require cranes, climbers, or specialized equipment instead of a bucket truck.
Additionally, the extra time and labor required to transport debris from the backyard to the street, where the chipper or truck is stationed, can increase the overall cost.
Work Complexity
Tree care jobs can range in complexity, depending on the tools, equipment, and manpower required. A straightforward task handled by two workers with a chainsaw is generally much less expensive than a job that requires heavy machinery and a full crew.
Additionally, more complex or hazardous tasks often come with higher costs due to the added risks and resources needed to complete the job safely.
Obstacles and Hazards
Obstacles around the tree—such as homes, decks, playsets, or power lines—can increase service costs. These nearby hazards require extra planning and care, often making it necessary to use ropes and controlled lowering methods to safely remove tree sections or limbs without causing damage.
Seasonal Scheduling
Tree-care services are often in higher demand during certain seasons, which can influence pricing. Spring, summer, and fall are usually the busiest times, with many homeowners booking pruning, removals, and general maintenance.
Winter, on the other hand, is typically a slower season for tree companies. Scheduling your tree work during this time can often lead to cost savings—without sacrificing the quality of service.
Urgency of Service
The urgency of a tree care job can significantly affect the overall cost. When work is scheduled in advance, it gives the tree service company flexibility to plan efficiently, which often results in lower rates.
In contrast, emergency tree removal, like after a storm or when a tree becomes an immediate safety risk—typically costs more. These situations demand a fast response, additional crew coordination, and sometimes specialized equipment to complete the job safely and quickly.
Tree Service Add-Ons
You can often lower your per-tree cost by scheduling service for multiple trees at the same time. This is because tree service companies have expenses related to transporting equipment, vehicles, and workers to your property. Once the crew is on-site, those setup costs are already covered, making it more cost-effective to complete additional work during the same visit.
Removing one tree may cost around $1,000, but having multiple similar trees removed at once can often reduce the per-tree cost. Many tree service companies offer package pricing or discounts when multiple tasks are completed during the same visit.
For example, you might receive a better rate on stump grinding or get discounted pruning for healthy trees when these services are bundled with a tree removal.
Book Tree Service Early to Save More
Since tree care and removal can be expensive, many homeowners put off scheduling a consultation to avoid the initial cost. However, delaying this often results in even higher expenses down the road.
For example, removing a large oak tree from your backyard might cost $1,800 today. While this is a significant expense, it’s far less than what you’d pay if the tree dies, becomes unsafe to climb, and requires crane-assisted removal in a few years.
The same idea applies to routine maintenance like pruning. For example, a small maple tree with codominant trunks (two trunks growing side by side) can cause a structural weakness. A simple, cost-effective solution is to “subordinate” one trunk by removing certain branches, allowing the other to become dominant and reducing long-term risk.
When tree care is done early—while the tree is still young and manageable—it might only cost $100 to $200. However, waiting several years can lead to significantly higher costs. In some cases, the issue may no longer be fixable, and one trunk may need to be removed completely. Not only does this increase the cost, but it can also weaken the tree, making it more prone to disease and decay. If the tree worsens, full removal might be required, potentially costing $1,000 or more.
Bottom line? Contact a certified tree care professional as soon as you notice a problem. Taking action early can help save you money and ensure the long-term health of your tree.
What to Expect for Tree Service Costs in Birmingham: FAQ
Still unsure about the cost of tree care in Birmingham? We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions to give you a better understanding!
Get Your Free Tree Service Estimate in Birmingham, MI Today
Addressing tree issues early is always the smartest choice—delaying can lead to bigger problems and higher costs down the line. Book your free consultation today to save money, protect your property, and keep your trees healthy and strong.
Serving Birmingham, MI With Expert Tree Care
Longtree Tree Service proudly serves communities across Michigan, offering professional tree care tailored to the unique needs of our region. From routine maintenance to complex removals, our expert team is here to ensure the health and beauty of your trees.
