How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Tampa? (2026 Guide)

Straight answer first: in the Tampa area in 2026, removing a small tree (under about 30 feet) typically runs $300–$800, a medium tree (30–60 feet) runs $800–$2,500, and a large oak — especially one leaning over a house, pool cage or power drop — runs $2,500–$6,000 or more. Stump grinding is usually a separate line item, and a Hillsborough County permit, when one is needed, is $81.65.

Those are honest ranges, not a quote. Two trees the same height can be a $500 job and a $4,000 job depending on what's underneath them. Here's how to read your own yard so a quote makes sense when you get one — and so a suspiciously cheap one raises the right eyebrow.

What does tree removal cost by size?

Tree size	Typical Tampa range	Example
Small — under 30 ft	$300–$800	Palms, young oaks, ornamentals
Medium — 30–60 ft	$800–$2,500	Mature laurel oaks, pines
Large — 60 ft and up	$2,500–$6,000+	Grand oaks, big pines over structures

Every yard is different, which is why we quote in person and free. The number we put in writing is the number you pay.

What actually moves the price?

Size is the starting point, but placement is the multiplier. These are the seven things we're looking at during an estimate:

1. What's under and around the tree. A tree in an open side yard can be felled and cut up on the ground. The same tree over a roof, a pool cage, a fence or a neighbor's shed has to come down piece by piece, with ropes, from the top. That's the single biggest price difference in this business.
2. Access. Can we get equipment to the tree, or does every log leave the backyard through a 4-foot gate? Tight access means more hand-carrying, more hours, more cost.
3. Height and trunk diameter. More wood is more cuts, more rigging and more hauling. Our grapple truck is what keeps the hauling side efficient on big jobs.
4. Condition. A dead or storm-cracked tree is more dangerous to climb and rig than a healthy one, and often can't be climbed at all — it changes the whole plan. If you're not sure whether yours is a hazard, the warning signs are worth knowing: is your tree safe?
5. Species. A water oak and a queen palm at the same height are very different amounts of wood and very different work.
6. Permits. Healthy protected trees can need county or city paperwork (details below). Dangerous ones usually don't, thanks to a Florida statute — but the documentation has to be done right.
7. Power lines. Anything near a service drop or primary line adds care, time and sometimes coordination with TECO.

How much does stump grinding cost?

Most stump grinding in the Tampa area runs $100–$400 per stump, depending on diameter and access — big grand-oak stumps can run more. It's normally quoted as its own line item, so check whether a removal quote includes it before comparing prices. We have a dedicated crew and machine for it: stump grinding, direct line (813) 765-0714.

Do I need a permit, and what does it cost?

In unincorporated Hillsborough County, a tree-removal permit application is $81.65 (plus $24.93 per acre past the first five), filed through the county's HillsGovHub portal. Inside the city limits of Tampa, Temple Terrace or Plant City, the city's own tree code applies instead. And under Florida Statute 163.045, a residential tree that's documented as dangerous by a qualified professional generally doesn't need a local permit at all. The full picture is in our guide: Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Hillsborough County? — and pulling the paperwork is part of what we handle on permitted jobs.

Why is emergency removal more expensive?

A tree on a house at 2 a.m. costs more than the same tree on a Tuesday morning, and it's fair to ask why: night work, crews on call, and a tree that's under tension on a structure is genuinely dangerous to cut — it can shift with a person on the roof. We answer our emergency line around the clock at (813) 244-0050, and we'll tell you honestly whether it needs a crew tonight or can safely wait for daylight (waiting is often free).

How do I compare quotes without getting burned?

The cheapest number on the page is only the cheapest if it includes the same work. Check that every quote spells out debris hauling, stump grinding, and proof of insurance — and be careful with door-knockers after storms. We've written up both sides of this: how to compare tree removal quotes fairly and is cheap tree service worth the risk?

Frequently asked questions

What's the average cost to remove a tree in Tampa? Most standard single-tree removals in the Tampa area land somewhere between $800 and $2,500. Small trees can be a few hundred dollars; large oaks over structures run into the thousands.

Does homeowners insurance pay for tree removal? Usually only when the tree fell on a covered structure (house, garage, fence) — not for standing trees you want gone, even dead ones. H&M provides itemized invoices and photos that make claims straightforward.

Is it cheaper to remove several trees at once? Almost always, per tree. The crew, equipment and hauling are already on site — if you're thinking about two or three trees, have them all quoted in one visit.

Why do quotes for the same tree vary so much? Different assumptions about what's included (hauling, stump, cleanup), different insurance costs, and different appetites for risk. A quote that's half everyone else's is usually missing one of those three.

Does H&M charge for estimates? No — estimates are free, in person, and in writing. The quoted price is the final price.

Get a real number for your tree

Ranges are for reading; your tree deserves a real quote. H&M Tree Service is family-owned, licensed and insured, with 10+ years working Tampa Bay — Lutz, Carrollwood, Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes and everywhere between.

Call (813) 751-5732 for a free estimate, or (813) 244-0050 for tree removal and emergencies — or request a quote online.