As a homeowner or property owner in the Pacific Northwest, you likely need to budget for professional tree pruning. It’s your responsibility to keep your trees healthy and aesthetically pleasing, especially if they’re near your front door. You may also have trees on your property that could become a safety risk without professional tree services.
Tree trimming and pruning costs can vary greatly, so we can’t give you an estimate without context. Instead, we’ll take a look at the typical costs of tree trimming and related services in the Pacific Northwest, plus some factors that can add to your final quote.
Typical Costs for Tree Pruning and Related Services
Some trees are much more difficult to prune than others, so costs can vary quite a bit. However, these numbers might give you a starting point for budgeting in the Pacific Northwest in 2023.
Tree Trimming
The typical cost of tree trimming is usually about $200 to $1,500 per tree. The cost varies widely depending on the technical equipment needed, tree size, accessibility, ability to remove debris, number of crew members, length of project, and arborist skill level. Some trees, especially younger ones, need trimming once or twice a year. Others rarely need trimming.
Basic tree trimming is mostly done for shaping and aesthetics. It can reduce both the breadth and height of the tee. Simple trimming of smaller trees with no major issues tends to be on the lower end of the cost spectrum. If your trees are large, unhealthy, or in need of more extensive trimming work, you can expect a quote on the higher end of this price range (or even above it). You may be able to get a discount for multiple trees.
Tree Pruning
Pruning is slightly different from trimming: it’s more focused on tree health. It requires much more skills, and the safety demands are even greater than with tree trimming. Proper tree pruning is best done according to the International Society of Arboriculture standards.
Pruning can involve removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches, plus shaping or thinning the tree. It can help more sunlight reach the lower branches of the tree, which helps with branching and fruit production.
Tree pruning typically costs $500 to $2,500 per tree. Your arborist’s quote will depend on the tree size, accessibility, equipment needed, crew, project length, and overall project complexity. Some trees are very difficult to prune, which adds to the cost.
Most fruit trees should be pruned once a year in the fall or winter, but some should also be pruned during the growing season. Evergreens rarely need pruning.
Tree Inspection
Tree inspection by a certified arborist typically costs between $150 to $350, depending on factors like how many trees are inspected and how accessible they are. We usually recommend having an arborist inspect your trees for health and safety every few years, especially if they are near a building or power line.
Tree inspection helps you identify any potential issues early on before they turn into safety hazards. You can find out if you need to take action to reduce the chance of a tree falling on your home.
Tree Removal
If you have a tree that needs to be cut down, you can expect to pay quite a bit. Like other arboriculture services, the cost of tree removal depends on factors like the tree size, accessibility, project complexity, technical equipment needed, and crew. Removing a tall tree near a building will be much more expensive than removing a short one in the middle of a clearing.
Prices for tree removal typically range from $500 to $5,000 or more per tree. We currently have a project scheduled for $6,900 that involves removing two large Scots pines over a driveway.
Some companies will cut the toppled tree trunk into smaller sections as part of their service. However, you may need to pay extra for the company to haul the tree sections away — otherwise, you’ll have to do it yourself. Stump removal is almost never included in the base price since it requires different equipment. If technical rigging is involved, we need much more time to remove the tree and lower the material safely.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Tree Pruning
Your arborist will give you a quote based on the following factors:
Number of Trees: Trimming multiple trees will cost more than trimming one, but you may be able to get a discounted rate per tree.
Tree Size: Larger trees generally require more time and effort to trim properly.
Tree Type: Arborists use different trimming and pruning techniques for different tree species and growth patterns. Some trees are more challenging to trim because of their branching structure.
Tree Health: The health of the tree can also impact the cost of trimming. Arborists often need to take extra care or do extra pruning for trees that are diseased, infested, or structurally compromised.
Location and Accessibility: The location of the tree on your property can also affect your quote from the arborist. Trees located in hard-to-reach areas, such as close to buildings, power lines, or other obstacles, usually require extra effort and precautions. Those efforts can add to the overall cost.
Ability to Remove Debris: Debris can affect the project difficulty. More debris can mean the crew needs more time and specialized equipment, which also adds to the cost.
Additional Services: If your arborist is also doing fertilization, cleanup, or stump removal, you can expect to pay more than you would for trimming or tree removal alone.
Time of Year: The time of year can sometimes affect the cost of tree services. Some arborists charge more during peak seasons, such as spring and summer. They may offer discounts at other times to encourage customers to hire them during slow seasons. However, some trees need to be trimmed or pruned at certain times of year, so you may be stuck with seasonal prices.
Crew and Arborist’s Experience: More experienced arborists usually charge more for their services, but it’s usually worth it to hire the right tree professional. Experienced arborists’ customers benefit from their knowledge and well-honed skills. The crew also affects project time and efficiency.
Professional tree trimming is an investment in the health, safety, and beauty of your trees. It’s a specialized task that requires more knowledge, experience, and equipment to be done well than the average homeowner has. To get an estimate of the cost of trimming your trees, contact a reputable tree service provider for a quote.
Why Choose Tree Harmony Arborists?
At Tree Harmony Arborists, we are your trusted choice for tree pruning in the Pacific Northwest. We are a certified tree service provider with the City of Seattle and help property owners throughout the Puget Sound area. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest level of tree care with safety, professionalism, integrity, reliability, and value.
Contact Tree Harmony Arborists today to schedule your tree trimming service. We want you to enjoy having healthy, well-maintained trees on your property for as long as possible.
