How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Los Angeles

Ask five Los Angeles tree companies to price the same tree and you will often get five different numbers. That is not always a sign someone is overcharging. Tree removal pricing depends heavily on things you can’t see from a photo: how the tree has to come down, where the wood has to go, and what sits underneath it. This guide gives realistic 2026 price ranges for LA County and explains what pushes a quote up or down.

Typical Tree Removal Costs in LA County

For a standard residential tree removal with normal access and full cleanup, expect roughly:

• Small trees under 25 feet: $350–$800
• Medium trees 25–50 feet: $700–$1,800
• Large trees 50–80 feet: $1,500–$4,000
• Very large or crane removals: $2,500–$7,500 and up

Third-party cost surveys land in the same neighborhood: LawnStarter’s Los Angeles data puts average small, medium and large removals at roughly $370, $700 and $1,940, before hard access or crane work. Those averages include easy jobs in open yards, which is why tight-lot removals in older neighborhoods often come in higher.

Palm Tree Removal Costs

Palms are priced mostly by height because height decides whether the crew can climb, needs a bucket truck, or needs a crane. A 15-foot queen palm might cost $150–$300 to remove, while a 60- to 80-foot Mexican fan palm leaning over a house can run $900–$1,500 or more. Palm stumps are fibrous and don’t resprout, so some homeowners skip grinding — but if you want to lay turf or pavers, plan on stump grinding too.

The Five Factors That Move the Price

1. Access. The single biggest factor in LA. A tree in an open front yard with the chip truck at the curb is quick. The same tree behind a 36-inch side gate, over a pool, or on a hillside in Glendale or Rancho Palos Verdes has to be rigged down in pieces and carried out by hand.

2. What’s under the tree. Roofs, pools, solar panels, block walls and a neighbor’s garage all mean sectional lowering with ropes instead of dropping limbs. Every piece that has to be tied off adds time.

3. Species and condition. Eucalyptus and ficus are dense and heavy. Dead pines can be brittle and unsafe to climb, requiring a bucket or crane. Decayed trees need slower, more careful rigging.

4. Power lines. Limbs near the service drop to your house can be handled with care. Trees tangled in primary lines on the pole require the utility — LADWP or Southern California Edison — to de-energize or clear first, which adds scheduling time.

5. Cleanup scope. Haul-off of all wood, chipping, stump grinding and raking are usually included or itemized. Keeping firewood rounds on site can shave a bit off the price.

Tree Trimming Costs for Comparison

Sometimes the right answer is not removal at all. Tree trimming in Los Angeles usually runs $150–$450 for a small tree, $350–$900 for medium trees and $700–$2,000 for large trees. Angi’s Los Angeles cost data puts the average trimming project around $520. If your tree is healthy but overhanging the roof, a crown reduction may cost half of what removal would.

Stump Grinding Costs

Stump grinding usually runs $125–$250 for small stumps, $200–$450 for medium stumps and $400–$800 for large hardwood stumps. Adding grinding to a removal visit is almost always cheaper than scheduling it separately. Not sure whether to grind or excavate? See stump grinding vs stump removal for Los Angeles yards.

Hidden Costs: Permits and Replacement Trees

If the tree is a protected species — native oaks, western sycamore, California bay or Southern California black walnut in the City of Los Angeles, or oaks in unincorporated LA County — you may need a permit before removal and may be required to plant replacement trees. Permit fees, arborist reports and replacement trees can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars on protected-tree jobs. Read tree removal permits in Los Angeles County explained before you budget.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

Have the tree looked at in person. Tell the estimator the city, whether you know the species, anything underneath it, and whether you want the stump ground and wood hauled. Get the scope in writing so every quote you compare includes the same work. When you are ready, call 877-552-8556 and we will get a crew out to price it — from Los Angeles to Long Beach, Pasadena and Santa Clarita.