How much does it cost to cut down a tree in Knoxville, TN?

In Knoxville, TN, cutting down a tree typically costs $300 for a small ornamental, $500–$800 for a medium 30–50 foot tree, and $1,200–$3,000+ for a large hardwood near a structure. Stump grinding is usually $100–$300 extra. Most Knoxville homeowners spend between $400 and $1,200 total.

What is the average cost of tree removal in my area?

The average tree removal cost in the Knoxville and East Tennessee market is $400 to $1,200, with the most common single-tree job landing around $700. Costs are slightly lower than the national average because labor costs in Tennessee are more competitive than in coastal or major metro markets.

What is the cheapest time of year for tree removal?

Late winter (January–February) is the cheapest time of year for tree removal in Tennessee. Demand drops after the holidays, trees are dormant with no leaves, and crews work faster. Avoid spring and post-storm windows when demand spikes 15–30%.

How big of a tree to charge $1000 for removal?

A $1,000 tree removal in Knoxville typically covers a 40–60 foot mature hardwood (White Oak, Tulip Poplar, or Maple) in a reasonably accessible yard, often with basic stump grinding included. Smaller trees under 30 feet are usually $300–$600. Anything over 60 feet or near structures runs $1,500–$3,000+.

Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, homeowners insurance typically covers tree removal only when a tree falls on a covered structure (your house, garage, fence, or vehicle) during a covered event (storm, ice, wind). Removal of a tree that falls only in your yard, or removal of a healthy living tree, is generally not covered.

Tree Removal Cost in Knoxville TN

Tree removal crew working in Knoxville TN — pricing guide and cost estimates

Quick answer: tree removal in Knoxville, TN costs between $300 and $3,000, with the average residential job landing around $400 to $1,200. The single biggest cost driver is tree size — followed by access, location relative to structures, and whether stump grinding is included. This guide breaks down 2026 pricing in detail so you know what to expect before any crew shows up.

Tree Removal Cost by Tree Size (Knoxville, TN)

Tree Size	Typical Height	Cost Range	Common Examples
Small	Under 30 ft	$300 – $500	Ornamentals, dogwoods, redbuds
Medium	30 – 50 ft	$500 – $1,000	Young oaks, smaller poplars, pines
Large	50 – 80 ft	$1,000 – $1,800	Mature White Oak, Tulip Poplar, Hickory
Very Large	80 – 100 ft	$1,800 – $2,500	Old-growth hardwoods, large pines
Massive	100+ ft	$2,500 – $3,500+	Century-old oaks, towering tulip poplars

These ranges assume reasonable yard access and no crane requirement. Add 30–60% to the base cost when the tree is tight against a house, over power lines, or otherwise high-risk.

What Drives the Price Up or Down

Tree height + trunk diameter — the single biggest factor. A 50-foot Tulip Poplar weighs about 8,000–10,000 lbs of wood that has to come down piece-by-piece.
Access — open yard with truck/chipper drive-up = cheaper. Backyard with only a 36-inch gate = more expensive (we hand-carry every branch).
Proximity to structures — a tree leaning over your roof requires rigging every cut. A tree in the middle of an open field can be felled in one drop.
Power lines — if the tree is anywhere near a KUB line, we coordinate with the utility and use insulated rigging. Adds time + cost.
Crane requirement — for the biggest hardwoods or tight properties, we bring in a crane. Crane day adds $400–$1,500 to the job.
Stump grinding — usually $100–$300 extra when bundled with removal. Cheaper than booking it as a separate job later.
Wood disposal — we haul it all by default. If you want firewood cut to length and stacked, no upcharge.
Emergency response — storm calls and after-hours jobs typically add 30–50% over standard pricing.

Knoxville-Specific Cost Factors

East Tennessee has a few quirks that affect tree pricing relative to other markets:

Dense canopy in older neighborhoods. Sequoyah Hills, Old North Knoxville, and parts of Bearden have mature canopies that overlap — sometimes a single removal requires careful rigging to avoid damaging two neighboring trees.
Storm season pricing. Prices in March–May and after major ice events spike because crews are slammed. Booking proactive removals in late summer or winter saves you 15–30%.
Hilly terrain. South Knoxville, Sequoyah Hills, and Maryville all have lots of sloped lots. Steeper grades = more rigging = higher cost.
Local labor rates. Knoxville's tree service labor is competitive with the regional median — generally cheaper than Atlanta or Nashville, comparable to Chattanooga.

Average Cost vs. National Numbers

According to the most recent industry surveys, the U.S. national average for tree removal is around $800 per tree. Knoxville sits slightly below that — our typical residential job runs $400–$1,200, with $700 being the most common single-tree price. You'll see lower averages in rural East Tennessee (Sevier County, Blount County) and slightly higher pricing in dense urban Knoxville lots requiring crane work.

When Insurance Covers Removal

Tennessee homeowners insurance typically pays for tree removal only when:

A tree falls on a covered structure (house, garage, shed, fence, or vehicle)
The fall happens during a covered event (storm, wind, ice, lightning)
The damage is sudden and accidental

It typically does not cover:

Removal of a tree that fell only in your yard
Proactive removal of a leaning or dying tree
Tree-rotted-from-neglect failures

If your situation might be covered, document everything with photos before we start work, and we'll provide an itemized invoice + photos suitable for your insurer.

How to Get an Accurate Knoxville Tree Removal Estimate

Beware of phone quotes — any tree service that gives you a firm price over the phone without seeing the tree is guessing (or about to surprise you). Here's how it should work:

Call us at (865) 348-3063 or fill out the form below
We come to your property within 1–2 business days for a free estimate
You get a written quote with itemized cost (cut + cleanup + stump + crane if applicable)
You decide — no obligation, no pressure
We schedule — most jobs done within 1–2 weeks of accepting the quote

Ready for Your Free Estimate?

We've removed hundreds of trees across Knox County — from $350 ornamentals in Bearden to $4,000+ crane jobs in Sequoyah Hills. Whatever you're looking at, we'll give you an honest, written price up front. Call (865) 348-3063 or send us the form on this page.

Tree Removal Cost in Knoxville, TN — 2026 Pricing Guide