September 14, 2026 · 8 min read
What Does Tree Removal Cost in Evansville? (2026 Pricing Guide)
Tree removal quotes in Evansville can land $1,000 apart for the same tree, and it isn't always because somebody is gouging. The price depends far more on what's underneath and around the tree than on the tree itself. Here's how the number is built, what's typical in the Tri-State in 2026, and how to read two quotes side by side.
The short answer
Most residential tree removals around Evansville fall somewhere between $400 and $2,000. A small ornamental tree in an open yard sits at the bottom. A 70-foot silver maple leaning over a garage sits at the top — or above it.
Stump grinding is almost never included unless the quote says so. Budget another $125–$300 for it, less if it's bundled into the same visit.
Tree removal cost by size
These are typical ranges for a straightforward removal: reasonable access, nothing fragile directly underneath, and a healthy tree that can be climbed. The next section covers what moves you out of these rows.
| Tree height | Common Evansville examples | Typical price range |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 ft | Bradford pear, redbud, crabapple, dogwood | $300–$700 |
| 30–60 ft | Younger silver maple, ash, sweetgum, pin oak | $700–$1,500 |
| 60–80 ft | Mature silver maple, sycamore, tulip poplar | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Over 80 ft | Old oaks, big sycamores, cottonwoods near the river | $2,000–$4,000+ |
The five things that push a quote up
Two trees of the same height can be very different jobs. These are the factors that account for most of the gap between a low quote and a high one.
- What it could land on. An open yard lets the tree be felled in one piece. A house, garage, fence, or neighbor's roof underneath means it has to be taken down in roped sections, which is slower and needs more crew.
- Access for equipment. Older Evansville neighborhoods with narrow lots, alleys, and tight side yards often mean hand-carrying every piece to the street.
- Power lines. Limbs tangled in a service drop or running near utility lines need extra care, and sometimes a call to the utility first.
- A dead tree. Dead wood — especially ash killed by emerald ash borer — turns brittle and can be too dangerous to climb, which pushes the job onto a bucket truck or crane.
- A crane. When a tree is too hazardous to climb and too hemmed in to fell, a crane lifts sections out over the house. It's the safest option in those cases, and it can add $1,000 or more.
Why dead ash costs more than it should
Emerald ash borer has killed most untreated ash in southern Indiana, and a dead ash is one of the worst trees to take down. The wood dries out and loses strength fast, limbs snap unexpectedly, and a climber can't trust tie-in points the way they would in a live tree.
The practical result: a dead ash often costs more than a live tree of the same size, and the longer it stands, the more it costs. If you have a bare, bark-shedding ash, getting quotes this season is cheaper than getting them after it has been dead three more years.
What should be in the quote
Two quotes are only comparable if they include the same things. Before choosing, check each one for:
- Cleanup: are limbs, brush, and leaves hauled away, or left in a pile?
- The trunk wood: hauled off, or cut into rounds and left for you?
- The stump: ground, or left standing a foot above grade?
- Proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, not just a verbal "we're insured."
- Who is responsible if a fence, gutter, or lawn is damaged.
How to read a quote that's far cheaper
A bid that's half of everyone else's sometimes means a small operator with low overhead, and that can be a genuinely good deal. But on a large tree near a house, it can also mean no workers' compensation coverage, no plan for rigging, or cleanup left out.
In Indiana, an injured uninsured worker on your property can become your problem. Ask for the certificate of insurance before the work starts. Anyone properly covered can have their insurer send it within a day.
Ways to bring the price down
- Bundle the stump grind into the removal visit rather than booking it later.
- Keep the wood. Having the trunk cut into rounds and left behind removes a hauling cost.
- Remove several trees at once. The crew and equipment are already there.
- Book non-emergency work outside storm season. After a big Tri-State storm, demand spikes and so do prices.
- Deal with a dying tree before it dies. A live tree can be climbed; a dead one often can't.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove a tree in Evansville?
Most residential removals run $400–$2,000. Small trees under 30 feet are typically $300–$700, mid-size trees $700–$1,500, and large trees over 60 feet $1,200 or more — higher when there's a house underneath or a crane is needed.
Does tree removal include the stump?
Usually not. Most removal quotes leave the stump unless grinding is listed. Adding it to the same visit typically costs $125–$300 and is cheaper than booking it separately.
Is it cheaper to remove a dead tree?
Often it's the opposite. Dead trees — especially emerald-ash-borer-killed ash — become brittle and unsafe to climb, which can mean a bucket truck or crane and a higher price.
Will homeowners insurance pay for tree removal?
Generally only when a tree falls on an insured structure, like the house or a detached garage, and then usually up to a set limit. Removing a standing dead or unwanted tree is normally the homeowner's cost. Your policy has the specifics.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Evansville?
Trees on private property generally don't need one, but trees in the public right-of-way and some special situations do. The permit guide on this site covers when it applies.