True Cost Guide Lawn & Garden Hire an Arborist

How Much Does an Arborist Cost?

Typical Range:

$50 - $5,000

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated October 11, 2022

Written by HomeAdvisor.

The average arborist cost is roughly $875 per visit, but your costs can range from as little as $50 for tree injection to as high as $2,000 to remove a massive, mature tree in a difficult-to-access location. The cost of an arborist varies so significantly because they offer a wide variety of tree services.

Common arborist jobs include tree trimming ($75 to $1,500) and tree removal ($400 to $5,000). An in-depth arborist report ranges from $450 to $700.

Average Arborist Costs

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$875	$5,000	$50

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.

Tree Service	Average Arborist Cost Range
Wood chipping	$75 – $300
Tree trimming and surgery	$75 – $1,500
Deep root aeration	$100 – $300
Deep root fertilization	$100 – $350
Monthly pest control	$40 – $70 per month
Cabling a tree	$200 – $400
Tree removal	$200 – $5,000
Planting a tree	$100 – $300
Tree inspection	$0 – $150
Tree injections	$50 – $200
Stump removal	$90 – $1,200

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.

Talk to Arborists 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.

Still Have Questions About Tree Services?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tree doctor?

Tree doctors or tree surgeons are terms commonly used to describe an arborist. In some countries like the UK, “tree surgeon” is the more common term. So, what is an arborist then? An arborist is a professional contractor who has received special training to plant, care for, maintain, diagnose, and remove trees of all kinds.

What do arborists do?

Arborists provide tree services to protect both the tree and surrounding area. An arborist can treat growth problems, pests, and dead or dying limbs and remove trees and stumps as needed. Whether you need help diagnosing an issue with your tree, trimming it to keep it healthy, or removing it when it poses a risk to the safety of your family and your neighbors, an arborist is your best bet for help.

Do arborists make good money?

Arborists can make decent money. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for an arborist is nearly $47,000, but top earners in the field bring home more than $64,000. An arborist’s salary will also depend on location; like with any profession, arborists make more money in areas with a higher cost of living.

What is a consulting arborist?

Consulting arborists are tree experts who can advise homeowners and business owners on the right trees to plant, how to care for existing trees, and what to do about trees that appear to be sick or pose a safety threat. A consulting arborist may work with local landscape architects, investment property owners, city governments, developers, and other arborists.

Can an arborist save a dying tree?

An arborist may be able to save a dying tree. If you notice that your tree suddenly appears to be sick or is exhibiting unusual behavior, contact an arborist immediately. They will thoroughly inspect the tree to determine what might be wrong with it—and will let you know if it’s possible to save the tree and how to do it.