Local 2026 Price Check: Maple Tree Removal Cost
The CompareTreeServices position: the ranges below are compiled from the published industry surveys cited, cross-checked against the sourced per-metro price rows in our own tracked dataset. Where our metro data disagrees with a national survey, we trust the metro data and say so. The published surveys cited below are our cross-check, not the source of that position (how the dataset is built: methodology).
The CompareTreeServices Take
Most overpaying happens before the first phone call, not at the invoice. Walk in with the baseline from this guide, make crews beat it in writing, and the market works for you instead of on you.
| Tree size | Height | Typical cost | What drives it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small maple, any species baseline | Under 30 ft | $150 to $450 | Open access, no rigging needed |
| Medium maple | 30 to 60 ft | $450 to $1,200 | Crew size, canopy spread |
| Large maple | 60 to 80 ft | $800 to $1,500 | Rigging time, possible crane |
| Very large maple | 80 ft or more | $1,000 to $2,000 base, plus $500 to $600/day for a crane if needed | This Old House’s published bracket, crane priced separately |
| Maple (species average) | Varies | $250 to $2,000, averaging around $1,150 | Height plus dense, heavy limb structure |
Sources for this table: S3, S4, S1, S2 in the Sources list below.
Table of Contents
Why Maple Runs at the Higher End
Maple’s price reflects height as much as density. LawnStarter’s species-average table puts maple at $1,150, ahead of pine tree removal at $925 and oak tree removal at $775, and the note attached to that table is that maple’s typical mature height, not just wood density, pushes the average up [S2]. This Old House shows a wider range for the species, $250 to $2,000, reflecting everything from a young ornamental maple to a full mature shade tree [S1].
Trunk diameter compounds the height factor. A wide, mature maple trunk means more wood to cut and haul at every stage of the job, regardless of how tall the tree actually is.
Verticillium Wilt and Removal Decisions
Maples are one of the species most commonly affected by verticillium wilt, a soil-borne fungus with no fungicide cure. Washington State University’s Hortsense guide describes the symptoms as sudden wilted, yellow, or brown foliage, sometimes on just one side of the tree, with greenish to black streaking visible in cut wood [S5]. Infected maples don’t automatically need to come down: the guidance notes infected trees “may be killed or may tolerate infection for several seasons,” so a wilt diagnosis is a reason to call an arborist for an opinion, not an automatic removal decision [S5].
If a crew is pruning or removing a wilt-affected maple, disinfecting tools between cuts matters, since the fungus spreads through infected wood and soil contact. Ask your arborist whether a wilt diagnosis on your maple points toward removal or a longer wait-and-see approach; see our what is an arborist guide for what that consultation typically covers.
Access and Regional Pricing
A maple in an open yard costs less to remove than one wedged near a fence, shed, or power line, and a mature maple’s wide canopy often reduces working clearance more than the trunk diameter alone suggests. HomeGuide notes that a hard-to-access tree can add up to 50 percent to the bill [S3]. Once a maple tops 80 feet or has no safe drop zone, crews bring in a crane, and HomeAdvisor prices that rental at $500 to $600 a day [S4].
Regional labor rates shift maple removal cost the same way they shift any species: storm-prone regions and dense urban markets typically run higher than rural ones with more competing crews.
Want a number specific to your tree instead of a species average? Our tree removal cost calculator factors in height, species, and location together.
What Add-On Services Cost
| Add-on | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Stump grinding | Priced separately by stump diameter; see <a href=”/stump-grinding-cost/”>stump grinding cost</a> |
| Hauling the wood away | Priced per load, similar to other hardwood removals |
| Crane rental (large or tight-access jobs) | $500 to $600 per day |
| Emergency or after-hours premium | Runs well above a scheduled removal quote |
Sources for this table: S4 in the Sources list below.
How to Save Money on Maple Tree Removal
Keep the wood yourself if you use or split firewood; maple burns well, so skipping the hauling fee saves twice over. Bundle stump grinding with the removal instead of scheduling it as a separate visit, and get three quotes either way, since maple pricing varies more between companies than lighter species do. If a wilt diagnosis is driving the decision, get an arborist’s read on whether removal is actually necessary before you pay for it; a tree tolerating infection for several seasons doesn’t need to come down immediately [S5]. Book outside spring and post-storm weeks when crews are busiest.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
A small, young maple under about 15 feet, clear of structures and power lines, with an open fall path, is a reasonable DIY job with a chainsaw and basic safety gear. A mature shade maple is not: canopy weight and spread make an untrained cut genuinely dangerous, and any maple near a structure, fence line, or power line needs rigging or a crane, not a homeowner with a ladder.
Getting Quotes from Tracked Pros
Maple’s height and canopy weight make a rigging mistake costlier than it would be on a smaller species, so ask specifically about hardwood and tall-canopy removal experience, not just general insurance. Every bidder should hand over a certificate of insurance covering general liability and workers’ comp, and the lead climber should hold an ISA Certified Arborist credential.
See how we track every pro in our directory; every crew listed has already cleared it, so you’re choosing between qualified options, not screening out the ones who shouldn’t be rigging a mature maple over your roof.
Key Takeaways
- Maple tree removal typically costs $250 to $2,000, with LawnStarter pricing the species average around $1,150, the highest of the common shade species it tracks [S1][S2].
- Height drives maple’s price more than density alone; maple commonly grows taller than oak or palm at maturity [S2].
- Verticillium wilt affects maples commonly but doesn’t automatically require removal; infected trees can tolerate the disease for several seasons [S5].
- Hard-to-access maples can cost up to 50 percent more than an open-yard removal [S3].
- Always confirm a certificate of insurance and an ISA Certified Arborist credential before you sign anything.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maple Tree Removal Costs
How much does it cost to remove a maple tree?
Maple tree removal typically costs $250 to $2,000, with LawnStarter pricing the species average around $1,150 [S1][S2]. Young, smaller maples land toward the low end; mature shade maples with wide canopies run toward the high end or beyond it.
Why does maple cost more to remove than oak or pine?
Maple’s higher average reflects typical mature height more than wood density alone. LawnStarter’s species comparison puts maple at $1,150 versus pine at $925 and oak at $775, attributing the gap mainly to how tall maples commonly grow [S2].
Does a maple with verticillium wilt need to be removed?
Not necessarily. Infected maples may be killed by the fungus or may tolerate the infection for several seasons, according to Washington State University’s plant pathology guidance [S5]. A wilt diagnosis is a reason to get an arborist’s opinion, not an automatic signal to remove the tree.
Do I need a permit to remove a large maple tree?
Possibly. Maples are sometimes named in local heritage-tree or protected-species ordinances because of their size and shade value. Check with your city’s planning department before scheduling removal of a large or old maple.
How much does it cost to remove a mature, very large maple?
A very large maple, 80 feet or taller, typically runs $1,000 to $2,000 as a base price, plus $500 to $600 a day if a crane is needed for access or canopy size [S1][S4].
Can I remove a small maple tree myself?
A small, young maple under about 15 feet, clear of structures and power lines, with an open fall path, is a reasonable DIY job for someone comfortable with a chainsaw. Anything larger or closer to a structure or power line should go to a licensed crew.
What a Qualified Crew Brings
A mature maple is a tall-canopy rigging job more than a pure hardwood-density job, and the crew should size it up that way. Confirm the lead climber holds an ISA Certified Arborist credential and that the company trains to Tree Care Industry Association standards, working under ANSI Z133 safety rules and OSHA’s guidance for rigging, chippers, and bucket trucks. Insurance, general liability and workers’ comp, should be current and backed by a real certificate, not a verbal assurance. A fair quote references DBH, diameter at breast height, since maple’s height means accurate sizing matters as much here as trunk width, and per-inch pricing is standard for the stump work that follows. A good arborist will also flag whether crown reduction or cabling and bracing might solve a structural or wilt-related problem instead of full removal.
How We Price This Guide
We build every cost guide from published pricing data, not guesses. This page draws on 5 sources, including This Old House, LawnStarter, HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, and Washington State University’s Hortsense plant pathology database, cross-checked wherever they overlap. Where sources disagreed, we showed the fuller range instead of picking one number. Last and reviewed by the CompareTreeServices editorial team. Pricing shifts with labor markets and fuel costs, so treat every number here as a planning range, not a quote. See our full pricing methodology for how we track sources.
Maple tree removal cost sits at the higher end of common species pricing mostly because of height, not because maple is unusually hard to cut compared to other hardwoods. Get quotes from two or three tracked pros, ask about wilt or disease condition if you’ve noticed sudden wilting, and confirm the certificate of insurance before anyone starts cutting.
Related reading: Maple Tree Care (and Why It “Bleeds” When You Prune It).
Sources
- [S1] How Much Does Tree Removal Cost? (2026 Pricing), This Old House
- [S2] Pricing Guide: How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?, LawnStarter
- [S3] How Much Does Tree Removal Cost? (2026), HomeGuide
- [S4] How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Tree?, HomeAdvisor
- [S5] Maple (Acer spp.): Verticillium Wilt, Hortsense, Washington State University
About this guide
Researched and maintained by the CompareTreeServices editorial team, alongside the public Google Business data behind our tracked directory. How the numbers are built: methodology · listing standards.