Size & height
The single biggest factor. A 30-foot pine and a 70-foot live oak are different jobs with different crews, rigging, and hours — often a 5–10x price difference.
What Tree Service Costs in Orlando & Central Florida
Straight answers on price from a company that would rather save your tree than sell you a removal — typical Orlando-metro ranges for every service, what actually moves the number, and why the real quote always happens in person, free.
The short answer
Most residential tree work in Orlando and Central Florida costs between about $150 (trimming a single palm on a multi-palm visit) and $4,500 (removing a large tree). Tree removal typically runs $800–$4,500, pruning $400–$1,800 per tree, palm trimming $150–$300 per palm, and stump grinding $200–$650 per stump. Big trees over structures, crane time, and emergency response push prices well above those ranges. Every job we do is quoted in person, in writing, free — the table below is for orientation, not a menu.
| Service | Typical range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Tree removal | $800–$4,500 | Size, access, and what sits underneath. A large oak over a house with a crane runs $4,500–$12,000+. |
| Tree pruning | $400–$1,800 per tree | Canopy size and how much deadwood is up there. A mature live oak usually lands $900–$2,400. |
| Palm trimming | $150–$300 per palm | Height and species — multi-palm visits bring the per-palm price down. Tall royals over 40 feet run $300–$500 each. |
| Palm removal | $600–$1,800 | Size, access, and condition — dead palms (lethal bronzing, Ganoderma) need careful handling. |
| Stump grinding | $200–$650 per stump | Diameter and access. Large 24-inch+ stumps run $650–$900; bundling with a removal is the better deal. |
| Cabling & bracing | $400–$1,200 per cable | Brace rods add $250–$600 each. Full systems on heritage trees run $2,000–$4,500. |
| Arborist consultation | $300–$600 | Formal written reports for insurance, HOAs, or permits run $500–$1,500. |
| Large-tree transplanting | $1,500–$7,500 | Trees over 24-inch caliper or with hard access run $5,000–$25,000+. |
| Land clearing | $2,500–$5,000 per acre | That is lightly wooded. Heavy hardwoods, palms, and undergrowth run $5,000–$9,000 per acre. |
| Crane-assisted removal | adds $2,000–$4,500 minimum | Full crane jobs over structures typically land $4,500–$12,000 all-in. |
| Emergency / storm work | +25–50% over scheduled rates | After-hours crews and trees already in a failure state. Scheduled work is always cheaper. |
All ranges are the same numbers published on our individual service pages — follow the links for the full picture on each.
How much does tree removal cost in Orlando?
Residential tree removal in the Orlando metro typically runs $800–$4,500, depending on size, access, proximity to structures, and disposal. A 30-foot pine in an open yard sits at the low end ($800–$1,200); a 70-foot live oak overhanging a house and pool with crane access runs $4,500–$12,000+. Stump grinding is usually quoted separately. Full details on our tree removal page — and if you want a tree planted where the old one stood, same-visit planting typically runs $350–$1,500 per tree installed.
How much does tree pruning cost in Orlando?
Single-tree pruning in the Orlando area typically runs $400–$1,800 depending on size and access. A mature live oak with deadwood and structural work usually lands $900–$2,400. Multi-tree property visits are priced as one job — less per tree than individual visits. See tree pruning & trimming for what a proper ANSI A300 prune includes (and why we never top trees).
How much does palm trimming cost in Central Florida?
Standard palm trimming runs $150–$300 per palm depending on height, species, and how overdue the trim is — multi-palm visits bring the per-palm price down. Tall royal palms over 40 feet can run $300–$500 each because they require climbing or a bucket. Removing a dead palm — lethal bronzing and late-stage Ganoderma are the usual Central Florida reasons — typically runs $600–$1,800 depending on size and access. One honest money-saver: UF/IFAS guidance says palms only need dead fronds removed, roughly every 12–18 months — if someone is selling you quarterly trims, you are overpaying and hurting the palm. More on our palm tree services page.
How much does stump grinding cost?
Single-stump grinding in the Orlando area typically runs $200–$650 depending on diameter, root flare, and access; large stumps (24-inch+ diameter, old hardwood) run $650–$900. Pricing is by diameter and access, small standalone stump visits carry a service minimum, and multi-stump jobs on the same property are priced together — bundling the grind with a removal is almost always the better deal. Details on our stump grinding page.
How much does cabling or bracing a tree cost?
A single cable installation in a residential Central Florida setting typically runs $400–$1,200 per cable; bracing rods add roughly $250–$600 per rod. Most jobs involve 1–3 attachment points, while heritage trees with multiple failure points can run $2,000–$4,500 for a full system. It is often the cheapest way to keep a good tree — see cabling & bracing for when it is (and isn’t) the right call.
How much does an arborist consultation cost?
Basic on-site consultations and informal risk assessments in Central Florida typically run $300–$600. Formal written reports — the kind insurance carriers, HOAs, and municipalities accept — run $500–$1,500 depending on tree count and required documentation, and pre-purchase inspections of properties with significant canopy typically fall $400–$900. A consultation is not an estimate (those are free); you are paying for documented professional judgment. See arborist consulting & risk assessment.
What does it cost to transplant a large tree?
Typical residential moves run $1,500–$7,500. Trees over 24 inches in trunk caliper or with hard access can run $5,000–$25,000 or more — distance, crane needs, species, and soil disposal all swing the price significantly, which is why we quote every move in person. If a heritage oak is in the wrong spot, moving it can beat removing it — see large tree transplanting.
How much does land clearing cost per acre?
Selective clearing of a lightly wooded acre in Central Florida typically runs $2,500–$5,000. Heavily wooded acreage with mature hardwoods, palms, and undergrowth runs $5,000–$9,000 per acre, and multi-acre commercial work is quoted per project. Tree density, stump handling, debris disposal, and specimen-tree preservation are the variables — details on our land & lot clearing page.
How much does crane-assisted removal cost?
Crane work adds $2,000–$4,500 minimum to a conventional removal in the Orlando area — sometimes more for larger cranes or extended boom reach. A full crane-assisted removal of a large hardwood over a structure typically lands $4,500–$12,000, including the crane, climbing crew, rigging, and cleanup, all on one quote. When a tree hangs over a roof or pool enclosure, the crane is usually the safest money you can spend — see crane-assisted removal.
How much more does emergency tree work cost?
Expect 25–50% above the equivalent scheduled rate. Emergency response means after-hours crews, expedited scheduling, and more complex rigging because the tree is already in a failure state. We post our rates honestly and don’t price-gouge during storms — but the cheapest emergency call is the one you never have to make, which is what pruning and a risk assessment before hurricane season (June through November) are for. See emergency & storm response.
What actually moves the price?
Two trees with the same trunk can be quoted thousands of dollars apart for good reasons. When you look at a tree service quote in Central Florida, these six factors are doing most of the work:
Access
Can equipment reach the tree? A backyard behind a pool cage, a narrow side gate, or a soft lawn that can’t take machinery all mean more hand work and more time.
What’s underneath
A tree over open grass can be dropped in sections. A tree over a roof, pool enclosure, or power drop has to be rigged and lowered piece by piece — slower and pricier.
Debris & disposal
Haul-away is a real cost — trucking, dump fees, chipping. Keeping mulch or firewood on-site can trim the number; make sure every quote says what’s included.
Permits
Many Central Florida cities and counties protect mature trees — especially live oaks. Permit applications and arborist documentation add cost, but skipping them adds fines.
Crane time
When a tree is too big or too tight to rig conventionally, a crane is the safe answer — and it adds $2,000–$4,500 minimum for the machine, operator, and setup.
Why we quote in person — and always free
We don’t give sight-unseen quotes, and we’d be wary of any company that does. The factors above — access, what’s underneath, the actual condition of the wood — can’t be judged from a phone call or a photo, and a number invented over the phone either pads the price to cover surprises or grows once the crew shows up.
Instead, we walk the property, look at the actual trees, and put a free written, itemized estimate in your hands — usually within 1–3 business days of your call. The number covers the whole job: takedown, cleanup, haul-away, and anything else we discussed, with stump grinding itemized so you can take it or leave it. No hidden fees, no on-the-day extras, and no pressure — if the tree can be saved for less than it costs to remove it, we will tell you so. For what else to check before you hire anyone (including us), see our guide on how to choose a tree service.
These are typical Orlando-metro ranges as of 2026, drawn from the same numbers we publish on each service page. Every property is different — soil, access, tree condition, and local permit rules all matter — so treat this page as orientation, and the free in-person estimate as the real answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to remove a tree in Orlando?
Schedule it before it becomes an emergency. A small tree in an open yard, booked in advance, sits at the bottom of the range — a 30-foot pine with clear access typically runs $800–$1,200 in the Orlando area, while emergency work runs 25–50% above scheduled rates. Bundling multiple trees or stumps into one visit also lowers the per-tree price, since the crew and equipment are already on site. Be careful with quotes that seem too good: a crew without insurance and workers’ comp can cost you far more than the savings if something goes wrong on your property.
Do you charge for estimates?
No. Sacred Tree Service gives free written, itemized estimates for tree work anywhere in our greater Orlando service area — we walk the property, look at the actual trees, and put the number in writing, usually within 1–3 business days. A paid arborist consultation ($300–$600) is a different product: a documented professional opinion for insurance, an HOA, or a permit, where you are paying for judgment and paperwork rather than a quote.
Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal?
Usually only when the tree fell on an insured structure — a house, garage, or fence. In that case your policy typically covers removing the tree from the structure and repairing the damage. A tree that fell in the yard without hitting anything is usually not covered, and under almost every Florida policy, a neighbor’s tree that falls onto your property is your insurer’s claim, not theirs. Sacred Tree Service provides photos, scope, and invoice documentation formatted for insurance claims at no extra charge.
Why do quotes vary so much between tree service companies?
Because you are not always comparing the same job. Licensed, insured companies with workers’ comp, trained climbers, and proper equipment carry real costs that a pickup-truck crew does not — and that gap shows up in the price. Quotes also differ in what they include: haul-away, stump grinding, and cleanup are line items some companies quietly leave out, then add back later. Compare what is in writing, not just the bottom number — our guide to choosing a tree service covers exactly what to check.
Is it cheaper to have several trees done at once?
Yes. Multi-tree property visits in the Orlando area are priced as one job — meaningfully less per tree than separate visits, because the crew, equipment, and travel are already covered. The same goes for stumps: multi-stump grinding on the same property is priced together. If you are having one tree removed or pruned, that is the right moment to ask about the others.