Most tree removals in the Madison area cost between $400 and $1,200, with the average homeowner paying around $700–$850 for a typical medium-sized tree. Small trees can start near $150, while large or complicated removals — think a tall oak leaning over your roof — can run $3,500 or more. This guide breaks down exactly what drives the price in Dane County, so you know what to expect before you call. When you’re ready for a real number, Vanderbilt Tree Service gives free written estimates: call (608) 351-1134.
Tree Removal Cost by Size
Size is the single biggest factor — a taller tree with a thicker trunk takes more time, equipment, and skill to bring down safely. Here’s what local homeowners typically pay:
| Tree Size | Height | Typical Madison Cost |
| Small (e.g. small ornamental, young tree) | Under 30 ft | $150 – $600 |
| Medium (e.g. mature maple, ash) | 30 – 60 ft | $500 – $1,200 |
| Large (e.g. mature oak, cottonwood) | Over 60 ft | $1,300 – $3,500+ |
These are ballpark ranges for straightforward jobs. A tree that’s leaning over a house, tangled in power lines, or dead and brittle will sit at the higher end — and occasionally above it — because the work is slower and riskier.
What Changes Your Price
Two trees of the same height can cost very different amounts. Here’s what moves the number up or down:
- Height & trunk diameter — the biggest driver; thick, tall trees take more time and gear.
- Species — dense hardwoods like oak and elm are heavier and slower to cut than softer, faster species; multi-stem trees add complexity.
- Location & access — a tree in the open is cheap to fell; one wedged between a house, garage, fence, and power lines must be dismantled piece by piece with rigging.
- Health & condition — dead, storm-damaged, or unstable trees are more dangerous and cost more to remove safely.
- Equipment access — whether a truck or lift can reach the tree, or everything has to be carried in and out by hand.
- Stump grinding — removing the stump is a separate add-on (see below).
Common Add-Ons & Related Costs
- Stump grinding: $75 – $400 (roughly $2 – $4 per inch of stump diameter). Grinding the stump below grade lets you replant, sod, or pave over the spot.
- Debris hauling: included in Vanderbilt’s pricing — no surprise $50 – $200 cleanup fee.
- Emergency / storm removal: typically 50 – 100% more than standard rates for after-hours, high-risk work on fallen or hazardous trees.
- Log & firewood: we’ll haul it all away, or cut and leave the wood for you at no extra charge if you’d like it.
Why Tree Removal Costs More in Some Seasons
Demand in Madison peaks in spring and summer, when storms are frequent and everyone wants their yard cleared — so that’s when schedules fill and prices firm up. Late fall and winter are usually the most affordable time: demand drops after storm season, bare dormant trees are quicker to cut, and frozen ground protects your lawn from equipment. If your removal isn’t urgent, booking in the off-season often means a lower price and faster scheduling.
How to Lower Your Tree Removal Cost
- Bundle several trees into one visit — you save on setup and travel.
- Schedule in the off-season (late fall through winter) when rates are lower.
- Let the crew leave the wood chips or firewood instead of hauling everything.
- Handle it before it becomes an emergency — planned removals cost far less than after-hours storm calls.
- Always get a free written estimate first, so you know the exact price up front.
Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Madison?
For a tree on your own private property, you generally don’t need a city permit. Trees in the terrace (the strip between the sidewalk and the street) and other public trees are managed by the City of Madison Forestry Section, and work on them requires coordination with the city. Some subdivisions and HOAs also have their own rules. Vanderbilt Tree Service will help you figure out what applies before any work begins.