In the Fraser Valley in 2026, removing a small tree typically costs a few hundred dollars, a medium tree in the $800 to $2,000 range, and a large conifer beside a house $2,000 to $6,000 or more. Crane work, tight access and emergency response push totals higher. Every reputable company quotes after seeing the tree, so treat these as planning ranges, not prices.
This guide breaks down what drives those numbers, what typical jobs look like in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Langley, and how to compare quotes so you are pricing the same job from every company.
What does tree removal typically cost by tree size?
Size is the starting point for every quote, because it determines how the tree comes down and how much material leaves your property. The ranges below reflect typical planned removals in the Fraser Valley with normal access. They are indicative estimates, not quotes.
| Tree size | Example | Typical range (planned removal) |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 10 m) | Ornamental plum, small cedar | $300 to $800 |
| Medium (10 to 20 m) | Mature birch, mid-size cedar | $800 to $2,000 |
| Large (20 to 30 m) | Mature Douglas fir, cottonwood | $2,000 to $4,500 |
| Very large or high risk (30 m+) | Big fir or hemlock beside a house | $4,000 to $10,000+ |
A 35 metre Douglas fir leaning over a roofline is a fundamentally different job than the same species standing in an open field. The field tree can often be felled whole and processed on the ground in a few hours. The tree beside the house has to be dismantled piece by piece, with each section rigged and lowered under control. That difference in method, not the tree itself, is what you are paying for.
What changes the price beyond size?
Access, risk and cleanup change the price more than most homeowners expect. Two trees of identical size can differ by thousands of dollars once these factors are counted.
- Distance to targets. Houses, garages, fences, sheds, hot tubs and parked vehicles under the canopy all force slower, sectional work.
- Access for equipment. If a chip truck and chipper can park beside the tree, wood handling is fast. If everything must be carried through a 1 metre side gate, add labour hours.
- Power lines. Trees in or near BC Hydro conductors need utility coordination, and only authorized workers may work close to energized lines. See BC Hydro’s guidance on trees and power lines before anyone touches such a tree.
- Condition of the tree. Dead, cracked or rotten trees are more dangerous to climb and often require a crane or lift, which adds equipment cost. Our danger tree assessment page explains how condition is evaluated.
- Slope and ground conditions. Steep Mission and Abbotsford hillside lots slow every part of the job and can require extra rigging.
- Cleanup level. Full haul-away costs more than chip-on-site or leaving firewood rounds stacked for the homeowner. Keeping the wood is a legitimate way to trim a quote.
- Emergency timing. Storm-response work commands premium rates because crews mobilize immediately, often in poor conditions. Our emergency and storm damage page covers how that pricing works.
How much does stump grinding add?
Stump grinding is usually priced separately, typically in the $100 to $400+ range per stump depending on diameter, species and access, with discounts when it is done during the same visit as the removal. Grinding takes the stump 15 to 30 cm below grade, enough to replant grass or garden over the spot.
Full stump removal, where the root plate is excavated, costs several times more and is usually only justified before construction. If you are unsure which you need, our guide on stump grinding versus stump removal walks through the decision, and our stump grinding service page covers how the work is done.
Do permits change the cost?
Sometimes, and skipping them can cost far more than the permit. Several Fraser Valley municipalities protect trees above a certain trunk diameter on private property, and some require replacement plantings as a permit condition. Abbotsford and the Township of Langley both operate tree protection bylaws, while rules in Chilliwack and Mission depend more on location, slopes and streamside setbacks.
Permit fees themselves are usually modest. The real costs to plan for are replacement trees where required, an arborist report where the municipality asks for one, and time, since permits can take days to weeks. Removing a protected tree without a permit can draw fines that exceed the price of the removal itself. Full details by city are in our guide to tree cutting permits in Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Langley, and you should always confirm current rules directly with your municipality.
How do Fraser Valley prices compare city to city?
Base rates are broadly similar across Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Langley, because the same crews cover the whole valley. What differs is the typical job. Older Abbotsford and Langley neighbourhoods have big legacy conifers on small lots, which pushes jobs toward sectional dismantling. Mission’s slopes add rigging complexity. Chilliwack acreages more often allow straightforward felling, which keeps per-tree costs lower for the same size of tree.
Travel charges are rare within the core valley but can apply to outlying areas like Harrison, Hope or Boston Bar, so mention your location when you request a quote.
How do you compare tree removal quotes properly?
Compare scope first, price second. A cheap quote that excludes cleanup and the stump is often the most expensive option by the end. Before hiring anyone, confirm in writing:
- Method: felling whole, sectional dismantling, crane or lift.
- What is included: limbs chipped, wood removed or left, rake-down of debris.
- The stump: included, quoted separately, or left as-is.
- Insurance: proof of liability insurance and WorkSafeBC coverage. You can verify a contractor’s WorkSafeBC clearance yourself through WorkSafeBC, and you should, because an uninsured injury on your property can become your problem.
- Permits: who is confirming whether one is needed, you or the contractor.
A written quote that answers all five questions is worth more than a lower number scribbled on a card.
The bottom line
Expect a few hundred dollars for a small tree, low thousands for a typical mature tree, and mid four figures or more when a large conifer stands close to your home. The tree’s surroundings move the price more than the tree itself. If you want a firm number instead of a range, request a free estimate with a photo of the tree and your city, or read our tree removal service page to see how we scope each job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I get three quotes with three very different prices?
Usually because each company priced a different amount of risk and cleanup. One quote might assume the tree can be felled whole, another assumes sectional dismantling with rigging, and a third includes stump grinding and full haul-away. Before comparing numbers, confirm every quote covers the same scope: removal method, cleanup, wood disposal, and whether the stump is included.
Does tree removal cost more in winter or summer in BC?
Prices for planned removals are often more flexible in late winter, when storm season has passed and schedules open up. The most expensive time to remove a tree is during or right after a major windstorm, when crews are booked solid on emergency calls. If you already know a tree needs to come down, booking it as planned work is almost always cheaper than waiting for it to become an emergency.
Is the stump included in a tree removal quote?
Often not. Many companies quote the tree to a low stump and price grinding separately, typically per stump or per centimetre of diameter. Always ask. If you plan to replant, re-turf or build over the spot, ask for stump grinding in the same visit, since doing both at once usually costs less than a separate trip.
Do I need a permit before paying for tree removal?
In several Fraser Valley municipalities, yes, depending on the tree's size and location. Abbotsford and the Township of Langley both have tree protection bylaws that can require a permit before removal, and other municipalities have rules for slopes, streamside areas and protected species. Check with your municipality first, because fines for unpermitted removal can exceed the cost of the job.
Can I remove a tree myself to save money?
For anything larger than a small ornamental tree well away from structures, it is rarely worth the risk. Chainsaw work and falling trees are consistently among the most dangerous activities WorkSafeBC tracks, and a misjudged fell can hit a house, fence or power line. Anywhere near a power line, do not touch it at all; BC Hydro requires trained, authorized workers near energized lines.
Published July 25, 2026 · Last updated July 25, 2026 · Fraser Valley Tree Service