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Tree Removal Cost in Minnesota: 2026 Prices by Tree Size, Species, and Situation

Tree removal cost in Minnesota for 2026: prices by tree size, emerald ash borer removals, crane and access factors, stump grinding, winter discounts, and hiring.

Tree Removal Cost in Minnesota: 2026 Prices by Tree Size, Species, and Situation

Removing a tree in Minnesota costs about $400 to $900 for a small tree under 30 feet, $900 to $2,000 for a mid-sized tree of 30 to 60 feet, and $2,000 to $5,000 or more for a large tree over 60 feet in 2026. Stump grinding adds $150 to $500, and hazardous removals over houses or power lines run higher.

The state has a specific reason a lot of trees are coming down right now. Emerald ash borer has spread through the Twin Cities, Rochester, Duluth, and most of the southern half of Minnesota, and ash trees make up a huge share of the urban canopy. Dead and dying ash removals are the single biggest category of tree work in the state, and they carry their own pricing because a dead ash is more dangerous to climb than a live one.

Here is what removal costs across Minnesota, what pushes the price up, and how to hire a company that will not drop a limb through your roof.

Cost by Tree Size

Tree companies price mostly by height and trunk diameter, because those determine how long the job takes and what equipment is needed. A 20-foot crabapple or spruce in a Bloomington front yard runs $350 to $700 to remove.

A 40-foot maple or ash in a St. Paul backyard runs $900 to $1,800. A 70-foot cottonwood or white pine in Duluth or on a lake lot runs $2,500 to $5,000.

Trunk diameter matters as much as height. A tall, thin spruce is faster than a short, thick bur oak with a four-foot trunk. Companies usually give a quote after seeing the tree, and a site visit is standard for anything over 30 feet.

Those are approximate ranges for a tree with reasonable access. Everything below moves the number.

Emerald Ash Borer Removals

Dead ash trees are brittle and unpredictable, and climbers will not go up them the way they would a healthy tree. Companies use bucket trucks or cranes instead, which adds equipment cost. Expect a dead ash removal to run 15 to 30 percent above a live tree of the same size.

Many Twin Cities suburbs and cities including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, and Duluth have ordinances requiring removal of infested ash on private property once they are confirmed, and some offer cost-share or financing programs. Check with your city forester before hiring.

What Pushes the Price Up

Access is the first factor. A tree in an open front yard where a bucket truck can park at the curb is the cheap case.

A tree in a backyard behind a fence, with no equipment access, means climbing and lowering every piece by rope, which doubles the labor. A tree over a house, a garage, a deck, or a power line means rigging every limb, and that adds 30 to 60 percent.

Cranes are used more in Minnesota than in many states because of the number of large dead ash and the tight lots in older neighborhoods. A crane-assisted removal runs $3,000 to $8,000 and is often the safest and fastest option for a big tree in a bad spot.

Disposal is included in most quotes, but ask. Hauling a large cottonwood or silver maple off site takes a chipper and several truck loads. Some companies discount if you keep the wood for firewood.

Power Lines

If the tree is within ten feet of a primary power line, the utility usually has to be involved. Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, and the co-ops will sometimes trim or remove trees near their lines at no charge if they threaten service, and they will drop lines temporarily for a private removal. Call the utility first before getting quotes.

Stump Removal

Stump grinding runs $150 to $500 in Minnesota depending on stump diameter and how deep you want it ground. Most companies grind six to twelve inches below grade, which is enough to plant grass. Deeper grinding for a new tree or a patio costs more.

Full stump removal, where the root ball is dug out, runs $300 to $1,000 and is rarely needed. Grinding is the norm. Ask whether the grindings are hauled away or left as mulch, because a large stump produces a surprising pile.

Frozen ground from December through March makes grinding harder and some companies will not do it in winter.

Regional Differences in Minnesota

The Twin Cities metro is the most expensive tree market in the state, with Edina, Minnetonka, Wayzata, and the older parts of Minneapolis and St. Paul at the top. Tight lots, mature trees, and high labor costs all contribute. Rochester and Duluth run 10 to 15 percent lower.

Greater Minnesota, meaning St. Cloud, Mankato, Brainerd, Bemidji, and the rural counties, runs 15 to 25 percent below the metro. The trade-off is fewer companies, longer waits in summer, and less crane availability.

Lake country from Brainerd to the North Shore has its own dynamic. Big white pines and cottonwoods on cabin lots, steep shorelines, and long driveways make access difficult, and the seasonal population means companies book up from May through September.

Winter Tree Removal

Minnesota is one of the few states where winter is often the best time to remove a tree. Frozen ground supports heavy equipment without rutting the lawn, there are no leaves to deal with, and companies have more availability. Many offer 10 to 20 percent off from December through March.

The limits are stump grinding on frozen ground and extreme cold. Below zero, hydraulics slow down and crews work shorter days. Late winter, from mid-February to mid-March, is often the sweet spot.

Removing a dead ash in winter also avoids the summer flight season of the borer, which matters for slowing the spread.

Permits and Rules

Most Minnesota cities do not require a permit to remove a tree on private property, but there are exceptions. Minneapolis regulates removal of boulevard trees, which belong to the city.

Several suburbs including Edina, Bloomington, and Eden Prairie have tree preservation ordinances that apply to development and sometimes to large trees on residential lots. Shoreland properties on lakes and rivers have vegetation removal rules under state shoreland regulations.

Check with the city before scheduling. A quick call to the forestry or planning department settles it.

Oak wilt is a second concern. State guidance recommends not pruning or wounding oaks from April through July, when the beetles that spread the fungus are active. Removing an oak in that window is possible but a good company will seal cuts on nearby oaks and handle the wood carefully.

Hiring a Tree Company in Minnesota

Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers compensation, and call the insurer to confirm. Tree work is dangerous and a crew member hurt on your property without coverage becomes your problem. Minnesota does not license tree companies at the state level, though Minneapolis and St. Paul require a city tree contractor license.

Look for an ISA Certified Arborist on staff. Certification is voluntary but it tells you the company knows how to assess a tree, not just cut it down.

Ask whether the removal is necessary or whether the tree can be saved. A good arborist will sometimes talk you out of the job.

Get three written quotes that spell out what is included: removal, chipping, hauling, stump grinding, cleanup, and any crane or utility coordination. Ask about timing and what happens if the weather delays the job.

You can compare the tree service companies listed for Minnesota in our directory, and read more of our home and yard cost guides on the blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to remove a dead ash tree in Minnesota?

A dead ash of 30 to 60 feet runs about $1,000 to $2,500 in 2026, 15 to 30 percent more than a live tree of the same size because it requires a bucket truck or crane instead of climbing. Some cities offer cost-share programs.

Is tree removal cheaper in winter in Minnesota?

Usually yes. Companies offer 10 to 20 percent off from December through March, frozen ground protects the lawn, and availability is better. Stump grinding may have to wait for the thaw.

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in Minnesota?

Usually not on private property, but Minneapolis regulates boulevard trees, several suburbs have tree preservation ordinances, and shoreland lots have state vegetation rules. Check with your city before scheduling.

How much does stump grinding cost in Minnesota?

About $150 to $500 depending on stump size and depth. Most companies grind six to twelve inches below grade. Full root ball removal runs $300 to $1,000 and is rarely needed.

Will the utility remove a tree near power lines for free?

Sometimes. Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, and the co-ops trim or remove trees that threaten their lines at no charge, and will temporarily drop lines for a private removal. Call the utility before getting quotes.