Tree Removal Costs

We all want our trees to remain in our homes forever. However, this is not possible. Tree do grow old and die – when this happens, tree removal becomes the best solution. Other situations that make tree removal an ideal option include:

• Trees standing in your way of home improvement– for example, a tree could be sitting on the ground where you would like to put your swimming pool.
• Unsafe trees– Tree removal will help you eliminate the risk of injuries or property damage.
• Diseased trees– If the disease is beyond curing and it is communicable, tree removal may be a good solution.

Tree removals are complicated. You need the right tools, knowledge, and experience to bring the tree down without causing any damage to your home. To ensure maximum safety during the tree removal process, Bakersfield residents prefer to hire tree removal professionals.

When planning a tree removal project, understanding the tree removal cost sets you up for success. This guide will take a deeper look at the tree removal cost and the various factors that increase or reduce this cost.

Average Tree Removal Cost in Bakersfield

Bakersfield residents spend between $200 and $2000 on tree removal. Most people, however, spend an average of $750.

The tree removal cost varies depending on the size of the tree. For example, property owners planning to remove extremely large trees may spend over $2000. Lower-end jobs – that is, those involving shorter trees or even fallen trees – can cost just under $200.

Some tree service providers charge the tree removal cost on a per-foot basis. When charged on a per-foot basis, you should expend to spend from $8 to $15 per foot.

Factors Affecting Tree Removal Cost in Bakersfield

1. Tree Height

Bigger trees are riskier to work on. More often than not, professionals have to use special equipment to reach the top parts, cut down the limbs on the crown, and then lower them down slowly. This suggests that bigger trees require more expertise and take more time to remove – all this increases the tree removal cost.

Below, we have outlined the average tree removal cost for varying tree heights.

• Small trees– If your trees are under 30 feet tall, they will fall in the small trees’ category. Such trees will cost between $200 and $450 to remove.
• Medium trees– With an average height of 30 to 60 feet, medium trees cost $420 to $1,200 to remove.
• Large trees– Trees that fall within this category grow to a height of 60 to 80 feet. These trees have an average tree removal cost of $800 to $1,500.
• Extremely large trees– Trees that grow to over 80 feet fall in the extremely large tree category. The tree removal cost for these trees ranges from $1,000 to $2,000.
• Crane-Assisted tree removal– To get rid of extremely large trees, tree removal professionals may need to use a crane. As indicated above, trees in the “extremely large” category cost between $1,000 and $2,000 to remove. However, if a crane has to be used, you may incur an additional $500. On average, cranes are rented at a price of between $200 to $500 per day, plus $50 to $100 for the person operating the crane.

2. Tree Type

Tree type is a major determining factor for how tall a tree will grow. Also, different trees have varying hardness – removing hardwood trees is often harder than removing a softwood tree. This suggests that different types of trees will have varying tree removal costs. Below, we have average tree removal costs to expect for different tree species.

Pine Tree

Pine trees have a removal cost of between $250 and $1,500. If your pine tree has a height of 40 feet, the tree removal cost will be $400. If your pine has grown to exceed 80 feet, you may be charged over $1,500.

Palm Tree

Depending on how tall your palm tree is, you should expect a tree removal cost of $200 to $1500. For palm trees with a height of 30 feet, the tree removal cost hovers between $200 and $500. However, if your palm trees have exceeded 80 feet, you will be charged $1,100 to $1,500 to remove them.

Oak Tree

In Bakersfield, it is not uncommon for oak trees to grow to over a hundred feet. For oak trees whose height falls between 60 and 100 feet, the tree removal cost will be approximately $800 to $1000. For oaks whose height does not exceed 60 feet, $200 to $800 should help you remove them.

3. Tree Condition

Trees in unsettling conditions – say, those that have internal decay or are leaning dangerously – pose a greater risk when it comes to removal. In most cases, tree removal professionals will have to use additional supports to stabilize the trees throughout the removal process. These types of trees take additional time to remove – this means that they may have a higher tree removal cost.

Various factors affect the tree condition. The main factors include:

• History– If construction recently took place near the tree’s roots, the tree’s structural stability could be compromised.
• Lean– A significant lean, combined with exposed roots and cracked ground, is an indicator that the tree is very unstable and has to be handled with extreme caution.
• Weak branches– Limbs on trees – especially if the tree is too old – might fall unexpectedly while the tree is being removed. To eliminate the possibility of injuries, these branches may need to be removed before the tree removal gets conducted.
• Multiple trunks– It is normal for trees to split into two trunks. However, if the trunks feature a weak connection, their chances of cracking and falling off unexpectedly are very high.
• Decay and cavities– These are a clear sign that the tree’s structural stability is very compromised. This can make the removal process much harder since it has to be handled more carefully.

Fallen Tree Removal Cost

A crucial tree condition that affects tree removal cost, fallen trees often have a reduced removal cost. This is because much of the work is already done – the professionals won’t have to work on bringing the tree down.

Bakersfield residents spend an average of $75 to $150 to remove fallen trees. However, if these trees are lying on important structures or utilities, more finesse might be needed to prevent further damage to the structures – this can raise the tree removal cost.

4. Tree Diameter

Generally, tree diameter increases the tree removal cost – that is, as the diameter increases, the removal cost increases. However, when considering the diameter in association with the tree height, the effect of the diameter becomes more complicated. For example, a thin but tall tree might have a higher removal cost than a short but thick tree. This is because delimbing is generally required for the tall trees.

When considering trees of the same height, you should be prepared to spend more money on the removal of a tree with a bigger diameter than a tree with a smaller diameter. This is because the thicker the tree, the more the time it will take to remove.

5. Tree Location

Tree removal service providers have an area of operation where they offer their services without charging a travel fee. For homeowners whose trees are located outside this service area, a travel fee is often charged.

In Bakersfield, the travel fee is generally $0.5/mile. However, it is not uncommon for tree service providers to charge a flat rate of between $50 and $200, depending on the distance they need to cover to arrive at the tree removal site.

6. Complexity & Accessibility

If your tree is sitting in an inaccessible location – say, behind your house or just next to power lines – the tree removal cost may go up by 25 to 50%. To make the process of removing trees that are next to important structures smooth, safe, and damage-free, more preparation time is required. If the tree is next to power lines, the tree removal professionals may need to work with a lineman to minimize the chances of electrocution.

In Bakersfield, the following conditions make the tree removal process complicated:

• Numerous trees in one location– Professionals will have to delimb the tree and then slowly cut it down to avoid damaging any neighboring trees.
• Structures next to the tree– Extreme caution will be needed to keep the cut limbs from falling on the structures.
• Power lines– The risk of electrocution is generally high when working on trees standing next to power lines. Tree removal professionals may have to seek out the electricity company to request them to cut the electricity to avoid the dangers associated with electricity.

Prices Associated with Extra Services

After requesting a quote from a tree removal service provider, you should understand all the services included in the quoted price. Some services – for example, the ones outlined in the following section – aren’t included in the quoted tree removal cost. You may have to spend extra money on the services:

1. Stump Removal

The stump is the part that attaches a tree to the ground. Tree removal professionals saw off the tree just above the ground – this means that the stump remains in the ground. If you would like to have the stump removed, you may need to spend more money. Below, we have a breakdown of the stump removal prices to expect:

• Per stump– The first stump will cost you $150. The remaining stumps will cost $50 each.
• Diameter– You will spend $2 to $3 per diameter inch. Most tree service providers will have a minimum charge of $100.
• Land clearing– Tree removal professionals change on a per hour basis to get rid of a large number of tree stumps. The average cost is usually $150 per hour.

2. Limb Chipping & and Removal

Limb chipping is generally charged separately. If you would like to get rid of the tree limbs, you may incur some extra charges on their removal. The prices to expect are outlined below:

• Limb chipping– This costs between $65 and $150.
• Removal– Getting rid of the limbs may cost you $50.

3. Log Splitting

It is not uncommon for homeowners to use the limbs obtained after a tree removal as firewood. For these property owners, log splitting is necessary. In Bakersfield, you will be charged $75 for log splitting.

4. Travel Fee

If you decide to work with tree removal professionals whose base of operation is outside Bakersfield, you may need to spend some of your money on the travel fee. When charging a flat fee, the professionals will require you to pay between $50 and $200 depending on the number of hours they spend on the road. It is, however, easy to avoid the travel fee. All you will have to do is work with professionals located near the tree site.

5. Cleanup

Tree removal is a messy job. After the tree is safely brought down, there will be branches, limbs, logs, and sawdust to deal with. Some professionals do include the cleanup costs in the quoted tree removal cost. However, you should communicate with the tree service providers to know whether you will have to spend additional money on the cleanup.

Tree Removal After A Storm

Storms are known to mess the tree’s structural stability and to increase the risk of the trees falling unexpectedly. To eliminate the possibility of home damage or injuries resulting from a tree falling abruptly, Bakersfield residents prefer to get rid of storm-damaged trees as soon as possible.

Removing storm-damaged trees is quite risky. In most cases, it will require special gear to make the removal process smooth and to minimize the risk of injuries. In some cases, time may be spent on the preparation. All this makes the tree removal after storm damage more costly compared to removing trees that do not have any stability defects.

The amount you spend on tree removal, however, helps you save more money. It helps you avoid spending thousands of dollars on home repairs and treatment of injuries that could result from a fallen tree.