How Much Does It Cost to Cut a 40-Foot Tree?

How much does it cost to cut a 40-foot tree? On average, it costs between $400 and $1,000 to cut down a 40-foot tree. The exact price depends on factors like the tree’s location, condition, and how difficult it is to access. Trees near buildings, power lines, or with structural damage may cost more due to increased risk and labor.

But, like most things in tree work, the real answer depends on a handful of specific details. Some 40-foot trees might run lower. Some shoot higher. It depends on where the tree is, how thick it is, what’s around it, and what happens after it hits the ground.

This article breaks it down piece by piece so you know what you’re actually paying for—and what can make the price go up or down. Make sure to use our treetrimmingcostcalculator.com to help.

Basic Price Range for a 40-Foot Tree

If the tree is healthy, straight, and in a clear open space (like your front yard), it’s going to cost less. That’s the low end: maybe $400–$600. If it’s leaning toward your house, close to a fence, growing through power lines, or surrounded by landscaping, then the job gets more complicated—and you’re likely looking at $800 or more.

So why the wide range for one height? Because height is just one part of the equation. There’s a lot more that goes into a safe, successful removal.

Get a Free Estimate

What Affects the Cost?

Here are the main things pros look at when pricing out a 40-foot tree removal:

1. Tree Species and Trunk Diameter

Not all 40-foot trees are built the same. A skinny pine is very different from a wide-branched elm or dense oak. Hardwoods are tougher to cut and remove. If the trunk is wide and heavy, more cutting and hauling is required. That adds labor time and disposal weight.

2. Location and Accessibility

This is a big one. Is the tree in your front yard where a crew can pull right up? Or is it wedged behind your house with no easy access? Trees near buildings, power lines, fences, sheds, or septic systems all require more careful work, more rigging, and sometimes even cranes or aerial lifts.

Trimming branches, roping them down, removing sections one at a time—it all takes longer and adds cost. A wide-open tree is cheaper to remove than one you have to surgically dismantle to avoid breaking something.

3. Tree Condition

Is it dead or dying? Is it leaning? A dead 40-foot tree can be more dangerous to remove because the wood might be brittle and unpredictable. Live trees offer more stability when climbing or cutting. Dead ones often require more equipment to do it safely.

Also, if the tree is diseased or has pests, that may affect disposal or make the job more urgent, which sometimes means a premium on labor.

4. What Happens to the Debris

Tree removal usually involves:

Cutting the tree down
Cutting the trunk and limbs into manageable pieces
Hauling or chipping all of that wood

Some companies include cleanup and hauling in their quote. Others charge separately. Some let you keep the wood. Others charge to haul it away. If you just want the tree on the ground and plan to deal with the rest yourself, that can save money. But most homeowners want it gone.

Stump removal is not always included. Cutting the tree down doesn’t mean the stump disappears. That’s usually a separate service.

Make sure to request a quote from our treetrimmingcostcalculator.com for the best price in your area.

Stump Grinding Costs

If you want the stump gone too, add $150 to $400 depending on size and root spread. Some small stumps are $75–$100, but a big, deep one from a 40-foot tree will be more.

Leaving the stump is an option, but it can get in the way of landscaping, attract pests, or start sprouting suckers. Most people end up grinding it eventually.

Add-Ons That Increase the Price

Here’s what might bump your quote up beyond the basic range:

Emergency removal – If the tree is storm-damaged, half-fallen, or a hazard, you’ll pay more for urgent service.
Crane usage – Trees in tight spots or near structures may require a crane. That adds equipment fees and a bigger crew.
Permits – Some cities or HOAs require approval to remove mature trees, and the tree company might charge for handling the paperwork.
Lot clearing – If it’s part of a larger job (removing several trees), pricing may be bundled or discounted, but the total still rises.

How Much Does It Cost to Cut a 40-Foot Tree?

Can You Cut Down a 40-Foot Tree Yourself?

Technically, yes. Realistically, probably not. Even a tree that’s “only” 40 feet tall can do serious damage if it falls the wrong way. You need the right tools, safety gear, know-how, and a controlled drop zone. And even then, things can go sideways fast.

If the tree is near your house, power lines, or a neighbor’s yard, don’t even think about DIY. One wrong move and you’re looking at thousands in property damage—or worse.

Professional tree crews have liability insurance, workers’ comp, and training. They bring ropes, saws, lifts, and rigging systems. That’s what you’re paying for: not just the labor, but the safety, skill, and peace of mind.

How Long Does It Take to Cut Down a 40-Foot Tree?

Depends on complexity. In easy conditions, a 40-foot tree can be dropped and cleaned up in 2–4 hours. Add tight access, large branches, or hazardous lean, and you’re looking at most of a day.

If stump grinding is included, tack on another hour or two. And if multiple trees are being done in one visit, they’ll usually work more efficiently.

Tips for Getting a Fair Price

Get at least 2–3 quotes. Don’t go with the first number you hear. Prices can vary a lot.
Ask what’s included. Will they haul away the wood? Is stump grinding separate? Are they insured?
Avoid lowball bids. Tree work isn’t where you want the cheapest possible labor. It’s dangerous work.
Get it done off-season. Late fall and winter are usually slower for tree services. You might get better pricing.

When to Cut It – Wait or Cut the 40 Foot Tree?

Anytime the tree becomes a hazard, removal shouldn’t wait. Leaning trees, cracked trunks, roots lifting the sidewalk—don’t delay. But if you’re doing it for general landscape improvement, winter or early spring is usually cheaper and more convenient. Less leaf coverage makes cutting easier, and crews aren’t slammed with summer demand.

What Happens If You Leave the Tree Up Too Long?

Waiting too long to remove a 40-foot tree can cost more in the long run. Dead trees dry out, become brittle, and harder to remove safely. Roots can start damaging foundations, sidewalks, or sewer lines. And in a storm, a weakened tree can fall—onto your house, car, or someone’s property.

Insurance doesn’t always cover damage if it’s shown that the tree was neglected. So putting it off to save money might end up costing you way more later.