How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in St. Louis?

If you're planning to remove a tree from your St. Louis property, one of your first questions is probably, "What will this cost?" The answer isn't simple—tree removal pricing depends on a combination of factors, and no two jobs are exactly alike. Thompson Tree Care and Landscaping has been providing transparent, competitive tree removal services in the St. Louis metro for more than a decade. This guide breaks down the pricing factors, typical cost ranges, and what you should expect when you request a quote.

What Changes the Price

• Height and trunk width. Bigger trees take more time, rigging and crew.
• Location. A tree near a house, power line, fence or pool has to be taken down in pieces with ropes, which costs more than dropping it in an open yard.
• Condition. Dead, storm-damaged or leaning trees are less predictable and need more care. See dangerous and large tree removal.
• Access. If a bucket truck or crane can't reach the tree, the crew climbs it.
• Stump and cleanup. Ask whether stump grinding, hauling and wood chipping are included. Stump grinding is often priced separately.
• Emergencies. After-hours and storm work usually costs more.

Tree Size: The Biggest Pricing Factor

Tree height and trunk diameter are the primary drivers of removal cost. Larger trees require more labor, heavier equipment, and more time to remove safely. Here's a general breakdown for St. Louis area pricing:

Small Trees (Under 30 Feet)

Cost: $300-$700

Small ornamental trees, young maples, dogwoods, and redbuds fall into this category. These removals are straightforward—usually completed in a few hours with basic equipment. Stump grinding may cost an additional $100-$150.

Medium Trees (30-60 Feet)

Cost: $700-$1,500

Most mature residential shade trees (oaks, maples, ashes, elms) in this height range require sectional cutting—climbing the tree and removing limbs in controlled pieces. Expect a full day's work and a multi-person crew. Stump grinding adds $150-$300.

Large Trees (Over 60 Feet)

Cost: $1,500-$2,500+

Large mature oaks, sycamores, and cottonwoods often exceed 80 feet and require crane-assisted removal or complex rigging. These jobs can take 1-2 days and involve significant labor and equipment costs. Stump grinding for large stumps can add $300-$500.

Location and Accessibility

A tree in an open front yard with no obstacles is much easier—and cheaper—to remove than a tree wedged between your house and a fence line. Accessibility affects both equipment choices and labor time:

• Front yard, open space — Easiest access. Equipment can be positioned freely. Lower cost.
• Backyard with gate access — Slightly more complex. Smaller equipment may be required. Moderate cost increase.
• Backyard with no gate access — All equipment and debris must be carried through the house or around obstacles. Significant labor increase. Higher cost.
• Near structures, power lines, or fences — Requires precise rigging and sectional removal to avoid damage. Higher cost due to complexity and risk.

If your tree is in a particularly tight spot or poses hazards to structures or utilities, you may need dangerous tree removal specialists. These jobs require advanced rigging, climbing expertise, and sometimes crane assistance—all of which increase cost.

Tree Condition and Hazards

A healthy tree is easier to remove than a dead, decayed, or storm-damaged tree. Dead trees are unpredictable—branches can snap without warning, trunks can split during cutting, and the structural integrity is compromised. This increases risk and requires extra safety precautions, which add to labor costs.

If the tree is leaning dangerously, has a split trunk, or is actively falling, it qualifies as an emergency removal. Emergency tree service often carries a premium (typically 1.5x-2x standard rates) due to the urgency, after-hours work, and increased hazard.

For help identifying whether your tree is hazardous, read our guide on when to remove a tree.

Do You Need a Permit in St. Louis?

It depends on your town. In most of St. Louis County you don't need a permit to remove a tree on your own property, but some cities do: Ladue requires one for any living tree 6 inches or wider, Kirkwood requires a Tree Clearing Permit to clear-cut a private lot, and Webster Groves requires one when removal is tied to construction or a site plan. Trees in the public right-of-way, such as the strip between the sidewalk and the street, usually need city approval anywhere.

Fees vary by city; Ladue, for example, charges $145 for a standard permit. For the city-by-city rules, exemptions and who handles the paperwork, read our guide: Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in St. Louis? Thompson can tell you whether your town needs one.

Stump Grinding: A Separate Cost

Most tree removal quotes do not include stump grinding unless explicitly stated. Grinding the stump is usually a separate service billed by stump diameter:

• Small stumps (under 12 inches) — $100-$150
• Medium stumps (12-24 inches) — $150-$300
• Large stumps (over 24 inches) — $300-$500+

Many companies offer discounted stump grinding when bundled with tree removal. If you don't need the stump removed immediately, you can leave it in place and grind it later—or opt for full stump removal if you're replanting in the same spot. For more on this decision, see our article comparing stump grinding vs. stump removal.

Debris Removal and Cleanup

Professional tree removal includes cutting the tree down, but what happens to the wood? Most companies offer several options:

• Haul away — The crew removes all wood, branches, and debris from your property. This is usually included in the quoted price.
• Leave logs on-site — If you want firewood, you can request that the crew leave logs cut to a specific length. This may reduce the overall cost slightly.
• Chip and mulch — Branches are chipped on-site, and you can keep the mulch for landscaping. This is often included at no extra charge.

Always confirm what's included in your quote. Some budget tree services quote low prices but don't include cleanup—you'll be left with a massive pile of brush to deal with yourself.

Will Insurance Cover Tree Removal?

Homeowner's insurance typically covers tree removal only if the tree fell due to a covered event (storm, lightning, wind) and damaged a structure—your home, garage, fence, or driveway. In these cases, the removal cost is usually bundled into the overall damage claim.

However, insurance generally does NOT cover:

• Preventative removal of hazardous but still-standing trees
• Trees that fell in your yard without damaging structures
• Trees removed for landscaping or aesthetic reasons
• Removal of dead trees unless they caused covered damage

If you've experienced storm damage and need emergency removal, document the scene with photos before cleanup begins and contact your insurer immediately. For step-by-step guidance, read our article on storm damage emergency response.

After a storm? See what homeowners insurance covers for storm tree removal in Missouri, including the $500 per-storm tree removal limit on standard policies.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

Prices online are only a starting point. The quickest way to a real number is an on-site estimate from a certified arborist, who can also tell you if the tree can be saved. Over-the-phone or photo-based quotes are rarely accurate, because tree removal pricing depends on details that can only be assessed in person.

What to Ask When Requesting a Quote

• Is stump grinding included, or is it a separate charge?
• Does the price include debris removal and cleanup?
• Are you fully insured (liability and workers' compensation)?
• Do you have references or reviews from recent St. Louis-area customers?
• Will you handle permit applications if required?
• What is your timeline for completing the work?

Thompson Tree Care offers free tree removal estimates across St. Louis and St. Louis County. We'll assess your tree, explain our approach, and provide a transparent quote with no hidden fees. Call (314) 712-3035 for a free estimate.

Ways to Save on Tree Removal

Tree removal isn't cheap, but there are ways to reduce costs without compromising safety or quality:

• Bundle multiple removals — Removing several trees in one visit reduces mobilization and setup costs. Many companies offer volume discounts.
• Schedule during off-season — Tree services are busiest in spring and summer. Scheduling removal in late fall or winter can sometimes result in lower pricing.
• Keep firewood logs — If you have a fireplace or know someone who does, keeping the logs on-site can reduce disposal costs.
• Skip stump grinding initially — If you're on a tight budget, you can grind the stump later when finances allow.
• Avoid emergency pricing — If a tree is hazardous but not yet an immediate threat, schedule removal before it becomes an emergency. Emergency rates are significantly higher.

Frequently Asked Questions