Short answer: in the Tulsa area in 2026, small trees (under 15 ft) typically run $400–$800 to remove, medium trees (15–30 ft) run $800–$1,500 when our equipment can reach them, and large trees (over 30 ft) start around $1,500 and climb from there. The four things that move the number: size, equipment access, the tree’s condition, and whether the stump goes too.
I own a tree service, so you’d be right to read a pricing article from me with one eyebrow up. Here’s my promise for this one: real numbers, the actual factors that move them, and the warning signs that you’re talking to the wrong crew — including the ways tree services pad bills. Price games are a big part of why I started Ironwood in the first place.
What moves the price
1. Size — the biggest factor by far. Height and trunk diameter drive everything: time on site, equipment needed, crew size, and how much debris leaves on the truck. A 12-foot redbud is a different job than a 60-foot oak in every measurable way.
2. Access. A tree standing in an open front yard can often come down in big sections — fast and therefore cheaper. The same tree wedged between your house and the neighbor’s fence has to come down piece by piece, every piece roped and lowered. Power lines nearby, a backyard with no gate big enough for equipment, anything that slows the crew down — access is frequently the difference between the low and high end of a quote.
3. Condition. Dead and brittle trees are more dangerous to climb and rig, so they take more care and more time. Counterintuitive but true: a dead tree often costs more to remove than a live one — and the longer it stands, the more brittle and expensive it gets. If you have a dead tree you know is coming down eventually, sooner is genuinely cheaper.
4. The stump. Standard removal cuts the tree to a low stump. Grinding it below grade so you can replant or lay sod is a separate line item — but bundling stump grinding on the same visit is meaningfully cheaper than having anyone come back later, because the crew and the machine are already there.
Typical 2026 ranges for the Tulsa metro
These ranges assume our equipment can reach the tree — bucket truck or crane working from the street, driveway, or open yard:
- Small tree (under 15 ft) — redbuds, ornamentals, young trees: $400–$800
- Medium tree (15–30 ft) — Bradford pears, crape myrtles, smaller maples and elms: $800–$1,500
- Large tree (over 30 ft) — mature oaks, pecans, sycamores, cottonwoods: $1,500 and up
When equipment can’t reach the tree — backyard removals, tight lots, no gate wide enough — the whole job comes down by climbing and roping, piece by piece, and the price climbs with it. Hazards do the same thing: power lines through the canopy, a structure directly underneath, or a dead tree too brittle to climb safely. Difficult removals can run well past the base ranges.
That’s exactly why anyone quoting you a firm price over the phone, sight unseen, is guessing — and why we do free written estimates on site. The number we write down is the number on the invoice.
Red flags that you’re about to overpay (or worse)
No proof of insurance. This is the big one. Ask for a certificate of insurance — general liability and workers’ comp. If a crew without workers’ comp drops a guy in your yard, the liability can fall on your homeowner’s insurance. Any legitimate tree service will hand you a certificate before work starts, no hesitation.
A quote over the phone, sight unseen. We’ve been over this — every job has variables. A company willing to commit to a firm price without seeing the tree is either guessing (and will adjust on-site) or is so far from competitive pricing that the quote is meaningless.
Soliciting door-to-door right after a storm. Some crews chase disaster areas immediately after a major storm event. Some are fine. Many are not. They’re counting on the fact that you’re stressed and just want the tree gone. Prices triple. Insurance “help” is a scam. Take a breath, get a quote from a company you can verify.
No local address or no online presence. If a company can’t be found — no Google Business Profile, no reviews, no website — there’s a reason for that.
Cash only. Legitimate tree companies take checks and cards. Cash only means no paper trail, which benefits only one party.
The Bottom Line on Tree Removal Cost
The honest answer is that most residential tree removal jobs in the Tulsa area fall between $400 and $2,500 depending on the size, access, and condition of the tree. That range is wide because the variables are real. The way to get an accurate number is to have someone look at it.
We do that for free. Request a free on-site estimate and we’ll tell you exactly what the job involves and what it’ll cost — before you commit to anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove a large oak tree in Tulsa?
Mature oaks over 30 feet typically run $1,500 and up in the Tulsa area. The actual number depends on height, trunk diameter, equipment access, and whether the stump is included. A 50-foot oak in an open front yard with bucket truck access is a different job than the same tree wedged against a fence with no gate wide enough for equipment.
Does tree removal cost more if the tree is dead?
Usually yes. Dead trees are more brittle, which makes them more dangerous to climb and rig. The work has to be done more carefully and in smaller sections. If you have a dead tree, don’t wait — the longer it stands, the more brittle it gets and the more the removal will cost.
Is stump grinding included in the removal price?
Not automatically. Standard removal brings the tree to a low stump. Grinding it below grade so you can replant or sod is a separate line item. We almost always recommend bundling it — the crew and the grinder are already on-site, so the incremental cost is much lower than a separate trip.
Do you charge more for trees close to the house or power lines?
Yes. Tight access and overhead hazards add time and care to the job. Every section has to be roped and lowered rather than dropped free-fall, which is slower. We’ll walk the situation and price accordingly — there’s no hidden fee, just an honest quote that reflects the actual scope.
Can I get a firm price over the phone?
No, and you should be skeptical of any company that gives you one without seeing the tree. Every job has variables that aren’t visible from a description. We do free on-site estimates and give you a written quote before work begins. That number doesn’t change on the invoice.