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Strong RootsStrong Roots, Keep it Local!(201) 960-8275Doug@canyoncutters.com
Douglas LivaUT-4717A- John HillUT-383707A
- Jesse GardnerUT-380938A
- Robert ValenciaUT-391234A
Douglas LivaUT-4717AJohn HillUT-383707AJesse GardnerUT-380938ARobert ValenciaUT-391234ALoading
Tree Removal & Pricing
November 13, 2026
What tree trimming costs by tree height, why mountain lots run higher, and when to schedule pruning so you pay less.
Tree trimming in the U.S. runs about $430 to $640 for an average tree, according to LawnStarter’s September 2026 cost data, with prices by height running from roughly $85 for a small tree to $1,835 for a tree over 60 feet. Fixr puts the national average near $450. On a Wasatch Back lot, expect the upper half of those ranges: steep access, tall conifers and fire-clearance work all add time.
This guide covers what drives the price, what proper pruning should include, and when to schedule it so you pay less.
Height is the biggest single factor because it decides whether a crew can work from the ground, needs a bucket truck, or has to climb.
| Tree height | LawnStarter (Sept 2026) | Fixr (Jan 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 ft | $85–$415 | $75–$450 |
| 30–60 ft | $215–$790 | $150–$800 (30–50 ft) |
| Over 60 ft | $475–$1,835 | $300–$1,800 (50–100 ft) |
Fixr lists hourly rates of $50 to $80 per worker for a trimming crew, with certified arborist time higher. A small tree usually takes one to two hours. A tree over 50 feet takes three to six.
Those are national figures. Local prices depend on your trees, your access and the cleanup, so we price every trimming job after a free on-site walkthrough, and the quote comes in writing.
The International Society of Arboriculture says no more than 25% of a crown should come off at once, and less for mature trees. USU Extension gives the same 20 to 25% limit per year. A quote that promises to “thin it way back” in one visit is a warning sign.
Refuse topping. The ISA calls topping “perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known”: it leaves stubs that decay and regrow as weak, crowded shoots, so the tree needs more work, not less. The ISA also advises that any pruning above the ground be done by an ISA Certified Arborist.
A written quote should name:
Firewise guidance is to prune conifers up six to ten feet from the ground, so a ground fire cannot climb into the crown. Pair it with removing the brush underneath, or the ladder fuel stays. Our fire mitigation service handles both in one visit.
USU Extension recommends pruning while trees are dormant, before buds swell, when energy reserves are high. In spring the bark is tender and tears easily; summer cuts can die back at the edges; fall cuts are more open to decay. The ISA adds that light removal of dead or broken limbs can be done any time.
That puts most pruning here in winter and early spring, before buds swell. Dead and weak limbs are worth taking out before heavy snow, because removing them first prevents breakage. Our snow-load checklist lists which trees to check first, and the tree-work calendar shows when every other job fits.
If a tree needs more than a quarter of its crown removed to be safe, pruning will not fix it. Dead, beetle-killed or badly leaning trees are removal jobs. Our tree removal cost guide covers that price range.
National averages run $430 to $640 a tree. Tall conifers and steep access push Park City jobs toward the top of the $85 to $1,835 national range.
Yes. Setup, travel and the chipper are fixed costs, so the price per tree falls as the job grows.
Yes. USU Extension recommends dormant-season pruning, before buds swell in spring.
No. Topping causes decay and fast weak regrowth. A crown reduction by a certified arborist is the correct way to reduce height.
We walk the property, mark the cuts and put the price in writing, including cleanup. Contact us or call (201) 960-8275. See our tree pruning service for what a visit includes.
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