Start With What the Tree Is Doing
Most calls fall into a few groups, and each one has its own page with what to expect and what it costs.
- It is down or on something. Read emergency tree removal and fallen tree removal and cleanup.
- It is big, close to the house, or hard to reach. See large tree removal, removal near houses and buildings and backyard removal with limited access.
- The tree is gone but the stump is not. Compare stump grinding with full stump removal.
- You are not sure it has to come down. The warning signs guide helps you decide.
Why Durham Trees Come Down
Durham sits in the Piedmont, where red clay holds water and tall hardwoods and pines grow close to houses. Summer thunderstorms, tropical rain and the occasional ice storm load those trees with weight and soak the ground under them. Shallow roots in wet clay are a common reason a healthy looking tree tips over.
Older neighborhoods have mature oaks, tulip poplars and pines planted decades ago, many now taller than the houses beside them. Newer subdivisions often keep a few big trees from the original lot, sometimes with damaged roots from construction.
What Tree Removal Costs
A small tree can be a few hundred dollars. A tall tree over a roof, or one that needs a crane, can run into the thousands. Size, access, how close it is to buildings and whether cleanup and stump work are included move the price the most. Our tree removal cost guide lists typical ranges and what to ask for in writing.
How It Works
Send the quote form or call. Tell us what the tree is doing, where it stands and roughly how big it is. A local tree service calls you back, usually to set a time to look at the job. Compare written quotes, check insurance and then pick the crew. Our guide to hiring a tree service lists what to ask.
If a tree has already fallen on the house, a car or the street, make sure everyone is safe first and keep away from anything touching a power line. Call your electric utility before anyone else.