Signs a tree should come down
- Dead or mostly dead crown. No leaves in June on one side, bark falling off, woodpecker holes, or fungus (mushrooms or shelf conk) at the base. Dead oaks and ashes shed large limbs without warning.
- Emerald ash borer. Nearly every untreated ash tree in Bergen County is dead or dying from EAB. Dead ash gets brittle quickly and is dangerous to climb, so removal gets more expensive the longer you wait.
- A new lean or heaving soil. A tree that suddenly leans, or ground lifting on one side of the trunk, means the roots are failing. Treat it as urgent.
- Cracks, cavities or a split trunk. Especially in multi-stem maples and Bradford pears, which split in ice and wind.
- Too close to the house, pool or driveway. Roots in the foundation or sewer line, limbs scraping the roof, or constant gutter cleaning.
- Construction. Additions, pools and driveway expansions. Your town will likely require a permit and replacement trees for this (see permits by town).
Tree removal cost in NJ (2026)
| Job | Typical NJ price | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree, under 30 ft | $200 – $600 | Ornamentals, young maples, arborvitae |
| Medium tree, 30 – 60 ft | $500 – $1,500 | Mature dogwood, cherry, smaller maple or pine |
| Large tree, 60 – 80 ft | $1,000 – $2,500 | Oaks, tulip poplars, big maples and spruces |
| Very large, hazardous or crane job | $2,500 – $3,500+ | Over a house, dead ash, no access for equipment |
| Stump grinding | $100 – $500 per stump | About $3 – $5 per inch of diameter |
| Lot clearing | Quoted per job | Number of trees, hauling, grading |
Cost ranges are published 2026 New Jersey industry figures (tanddtree.com and treecostremovalcalculator.com NJ guides), not quotes from this site. Your price depends on the tree, access and your town.
What makes a Bergen County quote go up
- Access. A tree in a fenced backyard in Bergenfield or Dumont with no gate wide enough for a lift means climbing and rigging every piece. A crane job needs a street permit in many towns.
- Targets underneath. House, garage, pool, patio, fence, the neighbor's property, and wires. Everything has to be lowered on ropes instead of dropped.
- Condition. Dead trees cannot be safely climbed, so they need a bucket truck or a crane.
- Hauling and disposal. Chipping brush is cheap; hauling a 70 ft trunk is not. Keep the wood and the price drops.
- Season. Late fall and winter are cheaper and faster to schedule; after a storm, everyone is booked.
Permits: check before the crew arrives
Most Bergen County towns updated their tree ordinances in 2024 and now regulate removal of private trees over a certain diameter, usually 6 to 8 inches measured 4.5 ft off the ground. Teaneck charges $50 to $200 per tree and requires replacement trees; Hackensack requires notice to the DPW and one to four replacement trees per tree removed; Ridgewood requires a permit for any non-invasive tree 8" and up. Dead and hazardous trees are usually exempt or fast-tracked, but you often still need to file. Read your town's rules on our service area pages, and ask the tree company whether they pull the permit.
How it works
- Tell us about the job. Your town, what you need, and a photo if you have one. Takes about a minute.
- We match you with a local tree pro. An independent Bergen County tree care company that is registered with the NJ Board of Tree Experts and insured, and that actually serves your town.
- Get a free on-site quote. The company contacts you directly, looks at the tree and gives you a written price. No obligation, and you deal with them from there.
Tree removal questions
How long does a tree removal take?
A small tree is an hour or two. A large tree near a house in a typical Bergen County yard is usually a half to a full day for a crew of three or four, longer if a crane has to be brought in and the street closed. Stump grinding is often a separate visit.
Does the price include the stump and the wood?
Not always. Many quotes cover cutting the tree down and chipping the brush, with stump grinding and hauling the trunk wood as line items. Ask. If you want firewood, leaving the wood cut in rounds can lower the price.
Can I remove a tree myself in New Jersey?
Small trees on your own property, yes, subject to your town's ordinance. Anything near a structure, a road or power lines is a job for a crew with the equipment and the insurance. Note that only a registered tree care company can legally be paid to do the work in New Jersey.
What is a tree too close to the house?
Arborists generally want large shade trees at least 15 to 20 feet from the foundation. Closer than that, roots can reach footings and drains, and a failure in a storm lands on the roof. Closeness alone is not a reason to remove a healthy tree, though; pruning and a cabling system can often keep it safely.