Tree Service in North Dakota: Vetted Pros & 2026 Costs
Tree service in North Dakota runs from around $365 for a small standing tree to well over $2,300 an acre for land clearing, among the more affordable statewide averages in the country. Two things shape almost every quote here: the state’s $4,000 contractor threshold, and Dutch elm disease, which has been confirmed in every county and targets the state’s own official tree. The numbers below come from a statewide North Dakota cost report, not a single city’s pricing stretched over the whole state.
## Tree Service Costs Across North Dakota A two-man trim crew runs $119.48 to $147.98 an hour statewide, and a standing tree under 30 feet averages $364.67 to $451.04 as a fixed fee before size, access, or crane add-ons push it higher. Land and lot clearing, common on rural and farmstead properties, runs $1,151.60 to $2,351.18 per acre. Stump removal prices out at $3.12 to $3.36 per linear inch of stump diameter almost everywhere in the state.
General Contractor Registration, Not a Tree-Specific License
North Dakota requires a general contractor license through the Secretary of State for any construction job over $4,000, and that threshold applies to tree removal and land-clearing work the same way it applies to any other trade. There’s no separate tree-service or arborist license or board, so the license number a crew provides is a general contractor registration, not proof of tree-specific training. Insurance and a real credential like an ISA Certified Arborist on staff still matter for verifying competency.
Dutch Elm Disease Threatens the State Tree Statewide
Dutch elm disease first reached North Dakota in Mandan in 1969, and it’s now been confirmed in every county in the state. That matters more in North Dakota than almost anywhere else, because the American elm, the species most susceptible to the disease, is the state’s official state tree and a common shelterbelt and shade tree across the plains. A crew that can spot early Dutch elm symptoms, wilting, yellowing, and flagging in the upper crown, before the disease spreads through root grafts to neighboring elms is worth more here than one that only handles routine pruning.
Getting Quotes from Vetted Pros in North Dakota
Ask for the crew’s general contractor registration number if the job is over $4,000, and ask about Dutch elm disease identification if you own American elms. Every pro in our directory is checked against our vetting standards first.
## Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Service in North Dakota ### How much does tree removal cost in North Dakota?
Statewide North Dakota cost data puts a standing tree under 30 feet at $364.67 to $451.04 as a fixed fee, with a two-man trim crew billing $119.48 to $147.98 an hour. Stump removal runs $3.12 to $3.36 per linear inch of stump diameter, and full-acre land clearing runs $1,151.60 to $2,351.18.
Does North Dakota require a license for tree service companies?
Not a dedicated one. North Dakota requires general contractor registration through the Secretary of State for jobs over $4,000, but there’s no separate tree-service or arborist license or exam.
Is Dutch elm disease a concern anywhere I hire in North Dakota?
Yes, statewide. Dutch elm disease has been confirmed in every North Dakota county since first reaching Mandan in 1969, and it’s especially destructive to American elm, the state’s official tree.
How do I find a vetted tree service in North Dakota?
Ask for general contractor registration on larger jobs, and lean on insurance and ISA certification for verification. Our directory only lists pros checked against our published vetting standards.
About CompareTreeServices: CompareTreeServices is an American directory that tracks tree service companies nationwide, so you can compare vetted providers in your area before you call. See our stump removal and tree trimming guides, or find a pro in your city.