How Much Does an Arborist Cost?

Average Arborist Costs

Tree Service Prices

How much does an arborist cost? The largest factor impacting that price is the actual task that you’ve hired an arborist to complete.

Wood Chipping Service Cost

Wood chipping typically costs between $75 and $300, depending on how many trees you need chipped. Arborists generally have a minimum call-out fee of $75 to $100, regardless of the project's number of trees. A massive, mature tree may cost even more to have chipped.

Tree Trimming and Surgery

Tree trimming costs anywhere from $75 to $1,500. Pricing depends on tree height, as well as the number of trees you need trimmed. Get multiple quotes before choosing a tree trimming service near you.

Deep Root Aeration

Deep root aeration prices can vary, but expect to pay at least $100 to $300 for the service, which involves making deep holes to allow water to reach roots faster (and sometimes filling those holes with compost). This service is more common for trees in urban areas where the soil is more compact.

Deep Root Fertilization

Deep root fertilization costs anywhere from $100 to $350. After making or drilling holes, an arborist applies fertilizer to the roots to promote growth. Find a tree root fertilization service in your area to get your trees back on track.

Monthly Pest Control

Pest control costs for trees vary depending on the type of tree, infestation, and severity, but in general, you can budget between $40 and $70 per month. A local arborist will have the most accurate information on tree pests in your area, but you might need to hire a pest control service instead depending on the type of pest.

Cabling a Tree Cost

Tree cabling ranges from $200 to $400 on average and helps brace a tree for proper alignment and growth. Small trees might only cost $175, but medium or large trees could cost $400 or more for professional cabling.

Tree Removal

The cost to remove a tree is $750 on average but usually ranges between $200 and $2,000. Removing a very large tree could cost up to $5,000. Size, condition, and location of the tree play a big role in the price. For example, a tree that’s too close to a house will likely cost more to take out than one off in a field. Contact several local tree removal companies to compare quotes before moving forward with your project.

Planting a Tree

Planting a tree costs $100 to $300, including the cost of labor and the tree itself. Most trees are around $200 but certain varieties can cost $350 to $1,000 or more.

Expect to pay $1,500 to $3,000 to plant a large or mature tree. At this size, just the tree alone costs more than $2,100, on average. Often, planting mature trees is a part of a major landscape project. Landscape installation costs range from $1,300 to $5,800.

Tree Inspection

Some arborists may offer a free tree inspection—or may at least waive their fee if, after diagnosing your tree, you choose to employ their services. At most, an arborist might charge $75 to $150 for a general inspection, but formal tree reports can cost much more, up to $700.

Tree Injections

A tree injection costs between $50 and $200 per tree, or roughly $10 per inch of the tree’s diameter. Thus, the size of the tree is the largest factor in determining the cost of a tree injection. Tree injections are a common way that arborists will attempt to heal a sick or dying tree.

Stump Removal

A basic stump removal can cost as little as $90 but may cost as much as $1,200. The average tree stump removal costs $345. The size and location of the stump are two of the biggest cost factors.

Arborist Cost per Hour

Your local tree surgeon (another term for arborist) does not likely charge an hourly rate. Instead, they will give you a per-project cost for tree services. However, based on typical project costs and durations, you can expect to pay between $75 and $200 an hour for an arborist.

Arborist Consultation Cost

While some arborists charge $75 to $150 for an initial consultation or inspection, others offer a consultation for free, especially if you hire them for the job. If you want an in-depth tree report on more than one tree, expect to pay anywhere from $450 to $700.

DIY Tree Care vs. Hiring a Professional

Trees are complex living entities. They can experience sickness, infestation, weather damage, and soil irregularities. Arborists have an in-depth knowledge of trees that most homeowners don’t possess. They also have access to equipment that the average homeowner does not—not to mention the experience and safety knowledge to take on difficult work when removing or trimming trees.

For these various reasons, it’s always a good idea to find an arborist near you for help with your trees.