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Cedar Tree Removal Cost Guide•Updated May 2026•9 min read

Built with national pricing guides, wildfire risk references, and contractor-screening sources

Cedar Tree Removal Cost [2026]: Eastern Red Cedar, Western Red Cedar & Large Tree Pricing

Cedar removal is a proactive decision more often than a crisis decision. For many homeowners the reason is allergy relief, wildfire clearance, pasture encroachment, or a yard redesign. The quote changes fast once you separate Eastern Red Cedar from Western Red Cedar, because those are different trees with very different removal profiles. [[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[5]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()

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A practical national planning range for cedar removals is about $200 to $2,500. Small Eastern Red Cedars can be simple and cheap, while mature Western Red Cedars in the Pacific Northwest can become specialist jobs with rigging, cleanup, and access premiums. [[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()[[14]]()

Avg Cedar Cost
Typical range$200 - $1800Cross-source planning range

This planning band intentionally spans two very different projects: small Eastern Red Cedar yard removals and much larger Western Red Cedar jobs in higher-cost Pacific Northwest markets.

[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()
Fire Risk Premium
Typical range$100 - $400Wildfire zone surcharge

Crews often charge more when cedar removal is bundled with defensible-space cleanup, extra debris processing, or tight wildfire-season scheduling near structures.

[[6]]()[[7]]()[[8]]()[[9]]()
Large Western Cedar
Typical range$1200 - $2500+80 ft+ Pacific Northwest

Western Red Cedar can mature far beyond the size of an ordinary yard cedar. Once the job crosses 80 feet, it often becomes a rigging, lift, or specialist dismantling project.

[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[11]]()
Stump Grind
Typical range$75 - $350Cedar add-on

Stump work is usually priced separately. Smaller Eastern Red Cedar stumps often stay near the low end, while large root flares and tight access push the add-on higher.

[[3]]()
Bulk / Acreage
Typical range$300 - $800Eastern Red Cedar clearance

Pasture and ranch cleanup uses a different pricing model from residential tree service. Contractors usually quote these jobs per acre, by machine type, and by invasion density.

[[8]]()[[15]]()
Job Time
Typical duration2 - 8 hrsSize and access dependent

Small open-yard cedars can be a short scheduled job, but large Western Red Cedars or near-house removals commonly take a half day or more.

[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()

How Much Does Cedar Tree Removal Cost?

Most cedar removals land in a homeowner planning range of roughly $200 to $1,800, but that number only makes sense once you know which cedar you are dealing with. A small Eastern Red Cedar in a South or Southwest yard can stay in the low hundreds, while a Western Red Cedar in the Pacific Northwest can move into the low thousands because the tree is taller, heavier, and usually more technical to dismantle.[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()

The species split matters because Eastern Red Cedar is actually a juniper, not a true cedar, and it rarely behaves like a giant tree service project. Western Red Cedar is a different animal altogether: mature trees can reach 150 feet or more, so the quote can include climber time, lift access, and extra planning around structures or slope. [[10]]()[[11]]()[[14]]()

Motive also changes the quote. Allergy-driven removals can often be scheduled after the Cedar Fever season, wildfire-risk removals may carry urgency or cleanup premiums, and ranch or pasture invasion work is usually quoted by acre instead of by tree. That is why cedar pricing looks more like three different markets than one simple chart. [[5]]()[[6]]()[[8]]()[[15]]()

Use the size table below as the fastest way to benchmark a bid, then adjust for species, access, and whether you are paying for a yard tree, a defensible-space cleanup, or a whole-acre cedar clearing project. [[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[8]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()

Cedar Tree Removal Cost by Tree Size

Height is the quickest cedar pricing shortcut. Small trees below 20 feet are often straightforward yard work. Once the tree reaches 40 feet, the crew is much more likely to need ropes, rigging, or piece-by-piece lowering. After 60 feet, the job often starts to look like a Western Red Cedar specialty project rather than a generic residential removal. [[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()

Cedar tree removal cost by sizeLast updated: May 2026
Cedar Tree SizeHeightEastern Red CedarWestern Red CedarKey Notes
< 20 ft$150-$400$200-$500Most common Eastern Red Cedar yard size[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()
20-40 ft$350-$800$500-$1,200Ladder work or light climbing is common[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()
40-60 ft$600-$1,200$800-$1,800Rigging often required[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()
  • Eastern Red Cedar rarely exceeds 40 feet, so a taller tree sold as cedar is often Western Red Cedar or another conifer instead.
  • Western Red Cedar can still be only mid-size at 40 to 60 feet because mature specimens may grow well beyond 100 feet.
  • Cedars near houses, fences, slopes, or soft ground usually need tighter lowering control and smaller wood sections.
[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()
60-80 ft$900-$1,500$1,200-$2,200Primarily a Western Red Cedar pricing tier[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[11]]()
80 ft+Rare$1,800-$3,000+Pacific Northwest specialist job[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[11]]()

Cedar Removal Cost by Species: Why "Cedar" Isn't One Tree

This is the key section on the page. The word cedar gets used loosely in the United States, but the trees behind it are not interchangeable. Eastern Red Cedar is a common invasive or landscape tree across the South and Midwest. Western Red Cedar is a giant Pacific Northwest conifer. Incense Cedar and Atlantic White Cedar bring their own site and permit quirks. [[8]]()[[9]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()[[12]]()[[13]]()

Cedar tree removal cost by species
SpeciesScientific NameTypical HeightCost RangeWhy It Prices That Way
Juniperus virginiana15-40 ft$150-$900Actually a juniper, not a true cedar[[8]]()[[9]]()[[10]]()[[15]]()
Thuja plicata80-200 ft$500-$3,000+Large cedar removal cost is mostly a Western Red Cedar question[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[11]]()

Western Red Cedar is a signature Pacific Northwest tree. Even a backyard tree can be far taller than an Eastern Red Cedar, which is why the quote moves into multi-crew, rigging-heavy territory much faster.

Because the wood is commercially useful, some contractors may discuss a modest log-salvage discount when the trunk is clean, accessible, and worth hauling.

Geography: Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. [[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[11]]()

Calocedrus decurrens40-100 ft$400-$1,800Wildfire-region cedar with taller mountain profiles[[6]]()[[7]]()[[12]]()
Chamaecyparis thyoides30-70 ft$300-$1,200Wetland cedar with more permitting friction than cutting difficulty[[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[13]]()

Removing Cedar Trees for Allergy Relief: Is It Worth the Cost?

Cedar Fever is one of the biggest reasons homeowners remove cedars proactively. In Central Texas, especially around Austin, the winter pollen season from Eastern Red Cedar can be severe enough to feel like a flu wave, with symptoms that include runny nose, itchy eyes, fatigue, and general misery. [[5]]()

Removing cedars close to the home can help because it reduces direct exposure, but it will not erase every symptom. Pollen can travel miles, so the practical move is to target the trees closest to bedroom windows, porches, and the air intake side of the house. That is why the best allergy-removal quote is usually the one that solves the highest exposure points first instead of chasing every cedar on the lot. [[5]]()

The best time to schedule the job is usually after the main pollen window and before the summer demand spike. For a lot of homeowners that means spring or early shoulder-season timing, which can make the project easier to schedule and sometimes 10% to 20% cheaper than an urgent winter or storm-season removal. [[1]]()[[2]]()[[5]]()

  • Removing cedars nearest bedroom windows can reduce direct pollen exposure, but it will not stop regional pollen from traveling in on the wind.
  • Spring scheduling often works best because the worst Cedar Fever pollen window has passed and storm-driven summer demand has not peaked yet.
  • If allergy relief is the main goal, compare one-time removal cost with several years of recurring medication, HVAC filtration, and repeated seasonal disruption.

[[5]]()

Cedar Tree Removal for Wildfire Risk Reduction

Cedar and juniper foliage is often treated as a wildfire fuel problem because the trees carry volatile oils and can create dense, ladder-like fuel near homes and pasture edges. For incense cedar and eastern red cedar in particular, the removal job often includes more cleanup and slash handling than a simple cut-and-drop project. [[6]]()[[8]]()[[9]]()[[12]]()

In higher-risk states, removal is sometimes driven by defensible-space rules, insurance pressure, or mitigation grants rather than a homeowner's aesthetic choice. In those cases the scope should be written around fuel reduction, not just tree cutting, because the contractor is also being paid to leave the site safer and cleaner than before. [[6]]()[[7]]()[[15]]()

  • Cedar and juniper foliage contains volatile oils, so wildfire-focused removals often include extra chipping, haul-away, or spacing work instead of a simple cut-and-drop.
  • California, Oregon, Colorado, and other higher-risk states sometimes connect mitigation work to local defensible-space guidance or grant-funded programs rather than normal landscape timing.
  • If the project is being driven by insurance pressure or a wildfire inspection, ask the contractor to write the scope in defensible-space language so the quote matches the reason for removal.

Eastern Red Cedar Invasion: Bulk Removal Cost per Acre

On ranches and large tracts, Eastern Red Cedar removal is a land-management problem, not a tree-service problem. The species can spread aggressively across pasture, so crews usually quote by acre, machine time, and slash density instead of by individual stem. [[8]]()[[9]]()[[15]]()

A realistic planning band for mechanical clearing is about $300 to $800 per acre for lighter invasion and roughly $1,000 to $1,500 per acrefor dense encroachment. Those are planning numbers, not a universal schedule, but they reflect the way acreage projects start to price once dozers, skid steers, hauling, and restoration are all in the scope. [[8]]()[[15]]()

Bulk cedar clearing by acreage density
Invasion LevelPlanning CostWhat Changes the Price
Light fence-line or pasture invasion$300-$800 / acrePlanning band for mechanical clearing where tree density is still manageable.[[8]]()[[15]]()
Dense Eastern Red Cedar encroachment$1,000-$1,500 / acreHeavy machine time, larger density, and slash handling push this modeled band up quickly.[[8]]()[[15]]()

If you are managing acreage, ask the contractor whether the quote includes piling, chipping, broadcast cleanup, and any follow-up seeding or restoration. Those extras can matter as much as the clearing itself. [[8]]()[[15]]()

Cedar Tree Removal Cost Calculator

Use this calculator to screen a single cedar removal before you request bids. It starts with Eastern Red Cedar by default because that is the most common South and Southwest yard scenario, but you can switch to Western Red Cedar for Pacific Northwest jobs or choose Incense or Atlantic White Cedar when the species is different. [[8]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()[[12]]()[[13]]()

Tree height28 ftMedium 20-40 ft

For Western Red Cedar in the Pacific Northwest, select Pacific Northwest or West Coast for a more realistic screen. This calculator is for single-tree yard removals, not pasture or ranch clearing.

Can Cedar Wood Value Offset Removal Cost?

Western Red Cedar is the species most likely to change the economics of the job because the wood has real market value. If the logs are clean, accessible, and worth hauling, some contractors will talk about a salvage credit instead of charging full price for disposal. [[11]]()[[14]]()

Eastern Red Cedar has lower timber value, but it is still usable as aromatic wood and can occasionally produce a small credit or an easier hauling arrangement. The smartest move is to ask for a "log salvage discount" in the quote request so the contractor can decide whether the wood is worth keeping. [[8]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()[[14]]()

  • Western Red Cedar is the species most likely to create a log-salvage conversation with a contractor.
  • Typical discounts are modest, not magical. Think in the rough range of about $100-$400 when the wood is clean and the crew actually wants it.
  • Always ask the quote explicitly whether a usable-log credit is available instead of assuming wood value is already built in.

Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Cedar Tree?

Most private-property cedar removals do not need a permit, but wetlands, protected habitat, street trees, and some local tree ordinances can change that answer fast. The most obvious exception on this page is Atlantic White Cedar, because wetland sites may trigger environmental review before a contractor starts work. [[13]]()[[14]]()

Wildfire-risk removals usually do not need a special permit just because the work is being done for safety. In fact, many local programs encourage mitigation. Still, if the tree is protected by city code or sits in a buffer zone, check the local rule before you book the crew. [[6]]()[[7]]()[[13]]()[[14]]()

  • Atlantic White Cedar in wetlands or buffers may trigger environmental review.
  • Large native cedars can be locally protected in some city or county tree ordinances.
  • Wildfire-risk removals are often encouraged, but the exact permit answer is still local.

Related guide: tree removal permit cost.

Cedar Tree Removal Cost: Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to remove a cedar tree?

Most cedar tree removals cost between $200 and $1,800, depending on species, height, and location. Small Eastern Red Cedars under 20 feet often stay in the $150-$400 range, while large Western Red Cedars can exceed $2,500. [[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()

Is Eastern Red Cedar removal cheaper than Western Red Cedar?

Yes, significantly. Eastern Red Cedar rarely exceeds 40 feet and has a simpler structure, keeping most removals under $900. Western Red Cedar can reach 150+ feet and often requires specialized equipment, pushing costs into the thousands. [[1]]()[[2]]()[[4]]()[[10]]()[[11]]()

Can I remove cedar trees to reduce Cedar Fever allergies?

Removing cedars close to your home can reduce direct pollen exposure, but will not eliminate allergy symptoms entirely since pollen travels miles on the wind. Focus on trees nearest to bedroom windows for the most impact. [[5]]()

Are there subsidies for cedar tree removal?

Yes, in some cases. Wildfire risk reduction programs in some Western states and agricultural conservation programs such as USDA EQIP may cover part of the cost. Check with your local extension office, NRCS field office, or fire department. [[7]]()[[15]]()

Does cedar wood have salvage value that can reduce removal cost?

Western Red Cedar has meaningful material value, and some contractors will discount removal by roughly $100-$400 in exchange for keeping the logs. Eastern Red Cedar has lower but non-zero value as aromatic wood. Always ask about a log-salvage discount when getting quotes. [[10]]()[[11]]()[[12]]()[[14]]()

Ready to compare a cedar quote?

Use the calculator first, then ask each contractor whether the quote reflects the right cedar species, the right access assumptions, and any salvage or wildfire cleanup credits.

Species split • Fire-risk planning • Acreage awareness

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Sources and Methodology

Updated May 2026

This page blends general tree-removal pricing guides, cedar species references, wildfire mitigation guidance, and contractor-screening sources. The Eastern vs Western split is the main pricing rule here. Acreage-clearing numbers are planning bands, not a substitute for a ranch or forestry quote.

  1. [1] HomeGuide: How Much Does Tree Removal Cost? (2026)February 4, 2026
  2. [2] Angi: Tree Removal Cost [2026 Data]November 18, 2025; checked May 2026
  3. [3] Angi: Stump Removal Cost [2026 Data]Checked May 2026
  4. [4] This Old House: How Much Does Tree Removal Cost? (2026 Pricing)Updated June 6, 2025; checked May 2026
  5. [5] Texas A&M Forest Service: Cedar Fever - ExplainedChecked May 2026
  6. [6] Ready for Wildfire: Defensible SpaceChecked May 2026
  7. [7] CAL FIRE: Forest Health GrantsChecked May 2026
  8. [8] Oklahoma State University Extension: Eastern Redcedar Control and ManagementChecked May 2026
  9. [9] Oklahoma State University Extension: Eastern Redcedar: Oklahoma's Undesirable Cedar TreeChecked May 2026
  10. [10] USDA NRCS: Eastern Redcedar Fact SheetChecked May 2026
  11. [11] USDA NRCS: Western Redcedar Plant GuideChecked May 2026
  12. [12] USDA NRCS: Incense-Cedar Plant GuideChecked May 2026
  13. [13] USDA NRCS: Atlantic White-Cedar Fact SheetChecked May 2026
  14. [14] International Society of Arboriculture: Why Hire an Arborist?Checked May 2026
  15. [15] USDA NRCS: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)Checked May 2026