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How Much Does an Arborist Cost?

$100 - $250
cost per hour or inspection
$150 - $450
average single-tree report cost
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Understanding the costs associated with hiring an arborist is essential for anyone looking to maintain or enhance their landscape. Arborists provide a range of services from tree pruning to disease management, all crucial for ensuring the health of your trees. This guide delves into the typical fees for these services, helping you plan and budget for your tree care needs.


Key Takeaways

  • Hourly Rates: Arborists generally charge between $100 to $250 per hour.
  • Single-Tree Reports: The cost for a single-tree report averages between $150 and $450.
  • Extensive Services: Costs can vary widely depending on the type of service, ranging from simple bush trimming to complex tree removal and disease treatment.
ServiceAverage Cost
Bush and Shrub Trimming$5 – $20 per bush
Deep Root Aeration and Fertilization$60 – $200 per tree
Injection for Insects and Diseases$75 – $250 per tree
Tree Branch Removal$75 – $250 per branch
Tree Cabling$200 – $350 per tree
Tree Crown Reduction$250 – $1,300 per tree
Tree Planting$200 – $700 per tree
Tree Pruning$200 – $800 per tree
Tree Removal$300 – $2,000 per tree
Tree Topping$150 – $500 per tree
Tree Stump Removal$80 – $250 per stump
Tree Trimming$200 – $900 per tree
Wood Chipping$100 – $150 per hour

Arborist Cost by Service

Arborists offer a variety of services that cater to different needs, from basic trimming to more involved treatments like disease injections. Here’s a breakdown of common arborist services and their associated costs:

Bush and Shrub Trimming

Trimming bushes and shrubs not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your landscape but also promotes healthier growth. Prices typically range from $5 to $20 per bush.

Deep Root Aeration and Fertilization

This service ensures your trees are receiving adequate nutrients and oxygen at the root level, essential for healthy growth. Expect to pay between $60 and $200 per tree.

Injection for Insects and Diseases

Protect your trees from pests and diseases through injections that target these issues directly within the tree. Costs can range from $75 to $250 per tree.

Tree Services

  • Branch Removal: Removing dangerous or unwanted branches costs between $75 and $250 per branch.
  • Cabling: To prevent branches from breaking, cabling is offered at $200 to $350 per tree.
  • Crown Reduction: Reducing the size of a tree’s crown to make it more manageable and safe can cost from $250 to $1,300 per tree.
  • Planting: Planting a new tree involves a significant investment in both the tree and the labor to plant it, costing between $200 and $700.
  • Pruning: Essential for tree health and aesthetics, pruning costs range from $200 to $800 per tree.
  • Removal: The removal of trees, particularly large ones, can be quite costly, ranging from $300 to $2,000.
  • Topping: While often discouraged because it can harm the tree, topping costs between $150 and $500.
  • Stump Removal: After a tree is removed, the stump must be dealt with, costing between $80 and $250.
  • Trimming: Regular trimming costs between $200 and $900 per tree, crucial for maintaining tree health and appearance.
  • Wood Chipping: Converting removed branches into wood chips costs about $100 to $150 per hour.

Arborist Tree Inspection and Consultation Cost

Arborists not only provide hands-on services but also offer expert advice and assessments, which are crucial for maintaining the health of your trees. Here are some typical consultation fees:

Report TypeAverage Cost
Inspection or Risk Assessment$100 – $250
Single-Tree Consultation and Report$150 – $450
Multiple-Tree Consultation and Report$300 – $700
Construction Report$400 – $1,000

Whether you are assessing the risk a tree poses to your property or need detailed reports for construction planning, arborists provide invaluable insights that help in making informed decisions.


Why Hire a Certified Arborist?

Hiring a certified arborist goes beyond basic tree care; it ensures that your arboreal assets are managed by a professional with the knowledge and credentials to back up their work. Certified arborists are trained to provide more than just maintenance—they diagnose and treat ailments, ensuring the long-term health and safety of your trees, which is vital for maintaining property value and compliance with local regulations. Learn more about the importance of certification and the additional services offered by professional arborists here.

For more detailed information on hiring and working with arborists, including how to get the best value for these services, check out our complete guide on the topic.


Considering an arborist for your next landscaping project? Ensuring you understand the costs and services provided can help you make the best decision for your property’s needs. Whether you require a simple tree health inspection or a comprehensive management plan for a large estate, arborists bring a level of expertise that is indispensable for the long-term health and aesthetics of your landscape.

Arborist Report Cost

An arborist report is a critical document that assesses the health, structure, and condition of trees. It can be required for property development, to address city bylaws, or simply to get a professional understanding of the trees on a property. The costs for these reports can vary:

  • Inspection or Risk Assessment: $100 – $250 per tree
  • Single-Tree Consultation and Report: $150 – $450 per tree
  • Multiple-Tree Consultation and Report: $300 – $700 overall
  • Construction Report: $400 – $1,000 depending on the complexity and number of trees involved

These reports are essential for ensuring that the management of the trees is based on thorough and professional assessments.


Cost to Hire an Arborist by Service

Arborists offer various services to manage the health and aesthetics of trees. Here are some detailed costs based on the services they provide:

Tree Trimming

Tree trimming is necessary to remove overgrown branches, which helps ensure tree health and safety. This service typically costs between $200 and $900 per tree.

Tree Pruning

Similar to trimming, pruning is focused more on the health and future growth of the tree rather than just shaping. Pruning costs range from $200 to $800 per tree.

Wood Chipping Service Cost

After tree cutting or trimming, the wood can be chipped into mulch or disposed of, which generally costs $100 to $150 per hour.

Cost to Cable a Tree

Cabling involves installing steel cables to stabilize and support branches or the tree structure. This service costs between $200 and $350 per tree.

Tree Removal

The cost for tree removal varies significantly based on the size and location of the tree, ranging from $300 to $2,000 per tree.

Tree Planting

Planting costs vary depending on the type of tree and the preparation required, with prices ranging from $200 to $700 per tree.

Tree Surgeon Deep Root Aeration and Fertilization Costs

This process helps improve soil aeration and nutrient absorption for trees at costs between $60 and $200 per tree.

Tree Surgeon Insect and Disease Control Cost

Managing pests and diseases through professional intervention can cost from $75 to $250 per tree.


Arborist FAQs

What Does an Arborist Do?

Arborists are trained professionals who specialize in the care and maintenance of trees. They are knowledgeable in the science of planting, caring for, and diagnosing diseases in trees.

Do You Tip Arborists?

Tipping is not typically required but can be a nice gesture for exceptional service, especially if the arborist goes above and beyond what was expected.

Why Hire a Certified Arborist?

Certified arborists have verified knowledge and skills to care for trees properly. They are equipped to make informed decisions that can affect the health, safety, and longevity of trees. Learn more about the importance of hiring certified professionals here.


Getting Estimates and Quotes from Arborists

When hiring an arborist, it’s wise to gather multiple estimates to compare costs and services. Here are some questions to ask potential hires:

Questions to Ask Arborists

  • What are your qualifications and certifications?
  • Can you provide a detailed quote?
  • How will the proposed services benefit my trees?
  • Are there any potential risks with the recommended services?
  • Can you provide references from previous clients?
  • What steps will you take to ensure the safety of my property and your crew during the job?
  • How do you handle unexpected situations or discoveries such as disease or pest infestations?

Obtaining answers to these questions will help you choose the right professional for your tree care needs, ensuring your landscape remains beautiful and healthy.

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