Tree SonsTree ServiceIf you've got a tree that needs to come down, the first question is almost always the same: what's this going to cost me? It's a fair question, and a hard one to answer without seeing the tree — but you deserve a real ballpark before anyone shows up in your driveway. We've been removing trees in Northborough and across Central Massachusetts since 2013, so here's an honest look at what drives the price and what you can expect to pay in 2026.
Tree removal cost by size
Tree size is the single biggest factor. A crew spends more time, uses more equipment, and takes on more risk with a tall, heavy tree than a small one. Here are typical full-job ranges for the Metrowest and Worcester County area — wood and debris hauled away, stump grinding quoted separately:
- Small tree (under ~25 ft): roughly $300–$800. Ornamentals, small evergreens, a dead sapling near the house.
- Medium tree (25–50 ft): roughly $700–$1,500. A typical backyard maple or a mid-size pine.
- Large tree (50–75 ft): roughly $1,200–$2,500. Mature oaks and tall white pines — the trees that shade most Central MA yards.
- Very large or hazardous (75 ft+, crane work): $2,000–$5,000+. Big trees over a house, tangled in wires, or split and leaning.
What changes the price
Two trees of the same height can be priced very differently. Here's what a good estimator is actually looking at:
Access. Can we get a truck or crane close, or does everything come out by hand through a gate? Tight backyards cost more because they take longer and need more careful rigging.
What's underneath and around it. A tree over open lawn is straightforward. A tree leaning over your roof, a fence, a shed, or power lines has to come down piece by piece — that's slower and takes more skill.
Species and condition. Hardwoods like oak are heavier and denser than pine. A dead or storm-damaged tree can be more dangerous to climb, which changes how we take it down.
Cleanup. Every one of our removals ends with the wood and brush hauled off and the yard left clean. If you'd rather keep the wood cut into rounds for firewood, we can leave it on site — just say so and it may lower the price.
Stump grinding is separate
Removing a tree leaves a stump. Grinding that stump below grade is a separate service — usually a modest add-on depending on the stump's size and how many you have. It's not automatically included in a removal quote, so if you want a flush, clean yard afterward, ask us to add stump grinding to your estimate up front.
Emergency and storm removals
When a tree comes down in a storm — across your driveway, on the roof, into the power lines — the job is different. It's urgent, often unstable, and sometimes has to happen at night or in bad weather. Storm and emergency work is priced for that added risk and urgency. If you're in that situation right now, don't wait around comparing quotes — call us and get the property safe first.
Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal?
Sometimes — and it's worth knowing before you pay out of pocket. Most policies help cover removal only after a tree has fallen and damaged something they insure: your house, garage, shed, or fence, or when a downed tree is blocking your driveway or a wheelchair ramp. A healthy tree you simply want gone, or one that falls in an open corner of the yard without hitting anything, usually isn't covered. Deductibles and limits vary a lot from one policy to the next.
If a tree comes down in a storm and hits something, take clear photos from several angles before anything is moved — that documentation matters for your claim. Then call your insurer to confirm what's covered. We're glad to work alongside you and your adjuster, and to prioritize making the property safe first. When insurance isn't in play, the ranges above are your guide — and our free estimate gives you the exact number.
How to make sure you're paying a fair price
Get it in writing. A real estimate lists the exact scope — which trees, what's included, whether the stump and cleanup are covered. Ours are numbered and valid for 60 days.
Be wary of a price that's way below everyone else. Tree work is dangerous and equipment-heavy. A quote far under the others often means a corner is getting cut somewhere.
Ask what happens to the wood and debris. With Tree Sons it's always hauled away unless you ask us to leave it — most customers say you'd never know we were there.
Deal with people you can reach. We're a family business based right in Northborough. When you call, you're talking to the people who'll actually do the work.
Get a real number for your tree
Ranges are useful, but your tree is your tree. The fastest way to a real price is a free, no-pressure estimate — we'll look at the job, explain what it needs, and give you a written quote with three clear options. No obligation, usually same-day.