Tree removal cost guide: Tacoma & Puyallup (2026)
Real published numbers, where they come from, and what pushes a quote up or down. We don't make up prices. Every figure below links to its source.
Quick answer
For a typical Tacoma or Puyallup yard tree, published averages fall around $300–$900 for small-to-medium trees and $1,000–$2,500+ for large ones. Tall Douglas firs, cedars or poplars close to a house, needing climbing or a crane, regularly cost more. Tacoma homeowners report paying $4,400–$4,500 for big jobs.
Published cost data
| Source | What it says | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LawnStarter, Tacoma | Removal: small $322 · medium $840 · large $1,767. Stump grinding $240. Trimming: small $131 · medium $424 · large $816. | Platform average prices |
| ProMatcher, Tacoma | Standing tree under 30 ft: $489.71 average (range $437.86–$541.56) | Excludes hazards, fallen trees, emergency work and permits |
| Homeyou, Tacoma | Medium tree $564–$763. Stump removal $60–$350; stump grinding $75–$1,000 | Cost estimator |
| Thumbtack, Tacoma / Puyallup | Under 30 ft: under $150 to over $450 · 30–60 ft: $150–$850+ · 60–80 ft: from $500 to over $1,000 | General ranges by height |
| Pacific Arboriculture (local company) | "Most Tacoma tree removals fall between $500 and $2,500" | Company's own published range |
| Apex Tree Experts (local company) | "$684 to $850 for mid-sized specimens" (2026) | Company's own published range |
What Tacoma homeowners actually paid
These are self-reported posts, not averages, but they show how wide the spread is:
- "About $600 a tree" (r/Tacoma)
- $1,350 to remove 2 trees and prune 3 others, 2020 (r/Tacoma)
- $4,500 for two very tall poplars (r/Tacoma)
- "A little over $4,400" for one job (r/AskTacoma)
- About $750 for a ~100 ft fir with no cleanup or stump, against a $2,500 full-service quote from another company (r/Tacoma)
What drives the price
- Height and trunk diameter. Our region's mature Douglas firs and western red cedars are the main reason local quotes run higher than national "average tree" figures.
- What's underneath. A tree over a roof, fence, greenhouse or power line has to be climbed and lowered piece by piece (rigging), or lifted out with a crane.
- Access. Can a bucket truck, chipper or crane reach it? Backyard trees behind tight side yards cost more.
- Scope. Haul away the logs or leave rounds for firewood? Chip all brush? Grind the stump, and how deep?
- Timing. Emergency and after-storm work costs more than scheduled work. If nothing is threatened, a next-day or scheduled visit can save money.
- Permits and reports. A critical-area or street-tree removal may need a certified arborist's risk assessment report. See the FAQ.
- Power lines. If the tree is within 15 ft of energized lines (Puyallup's rule), only the utility may do that work. Tacoma Public Utilities and PSE handle line clearance.
How to get a fair quote
- Take photos of the whole tree, the base, and what's under it.
- Ask each company for a written, itemized quote: removal, cleanup, wood, stump.
- Confirm L&I registration and insurance before you sign.
- Compare like with like. A cheap "drop it and leave it" price isn't the same job as a full cleanup.
Cost FAQ
How much does tree removal cost in Tacoma?
Published Tacoma averages range from about $322 (small) to $840 (medium) and $1,767 (large) per tree (LawnStarter), with a $490 average for standing trees under 30 ft (ProMatcher). Local companies quote most removals at $500–$2,500. Very tall conifers near structures can run $4,000 or more.
How much does tree removal cost in Puyallup?
There's little Puyallup-specific published data; prices track Tacoma's. Thumbtack's Puyallup page lists $150–$850+ for medium (30–60 ft) trees and $500 to over $1,000 for 60–80 ft trees, before hazards, cranes or cleanup.
How much does stump grinding cost?
LawnStarter's Tacoma average is $240 per stump. Homeyou's Tacoma estimator gives $75–$1,000 depending on diameter, roots and access. Call 811 at least two business days before grinding.
Why are quotes for the same tree so different?
Crews price risk and labor: how close the tree is to the house or power lines, whether it must be climbed and lowered in pieces or can be felled, equipment access, and whether cleanup, log hauling and stump grinding are included.
Want a quote for your tree?
Free, no obligation. We pass your request to one independent, L&I-registered tree company that serves your area. You get a quote from them directly. If we don't have a participating company for your job or town, we'll tell you so.