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Tree felling in the Portland metro area costs an average of $791, with most jobs falling between $211 and $2,108. That figure, drawn from Angi’s 2026 Portland pricing data, moves up or down based on the tree’s height, species, condition, and how close it stands to a house, fence, or power line. A small ornamental in an open yard can come in under $300, while a tall Douglas fir crowded against a roofline can run past $2,500.
This guide breaks that number down piece by piece: pricing by height and species, what a base quote does and doesn’t include, permit rules for the Portland metro area, the real safety math behind DIY felling, and the specific questions to ask before you sign a contract.
What Does “Tree Felling” Actually Mean?
Tree felling is the specific act of cutting a standing tree at the base so it comes down, usually the first and most technical step in a larger tree removal job. It is distinct from pruning or trimming, which only removes branches while the tree stays standing, and from stump grinding, which happens after the trunk is already down.
Most homeowners searching “tree felling cost” are really asking about the full removal job, not just the felling cut itself. Professional quotes almost always price felling and the cutting, hauling, and cleanup that follows as one bundled service, which is why this guide treats “felling” and “removal” pricing as the same range unless noted otherwise.
Tree Felling Cost by Tree Height
Height is the single biggest driver of price because taller trees need more rigging points, more cuts, and produce more wood and debris. Based on Portland area pricing compiled by HomeBlue, here is what homeowners typically pay by tree size:
| Tree Height | Estimated Felling Cost |
| 20 feet | $260 to $500 |
| 30 feet | $390 to $750 |
| 40 feet | $520 to $1,000 |
| 50 feet | $650 to $1,240 |
| 60 feet | $780 to $1,490 |
| 70 feet | $910 to $1,740 |
| 80 feet | $1,040 to $1,990 |
| Over 100 feet | Often $2,500 or more |
Portland’s tree canopy skews taller than most U.S. cities. Native Douglas firs and western red cedars in the area can reach 200 feet, and Angi’s Portland cost report notes that these large native species cost noticeably more to fell than the ornamental or fruit trees common in other regions of the country.
Tree Felling Cost by Species
Species affects price in two ways: how tall and wide the tree typically grows, and how dense or difficult the wood is to cut through. Common Pacific Northwest species generally fall into these tiers:
| Species Type | Typical Felling Range | Why |
| Ornamental or fruit trees (dogwood, crabapple, cherry) | $200 to $600 | Shorter mature height, softer wood, easier access |
| Mid-size deciduous (maple, oak, alder) | $500 to $1,200 | Wider canopy, moderate height, denser wood |
| Large conifers (Douglas fir, western red cedar) | $900 to $2,500+ | Extreme height, heavy trunk diameter, often near structures |
| Hazard or storm-damaged trees, any species | $1,500 to $3,500+ | Added rigging, safety precautions, and often emergency scheduling |
These are general ranges, not fixed prices. An arborist has to see the tree in person to account for lean, root condition, and nearby obstacles before quoting a firm number.
What Determines Your Tree Felling Cost?
Tree Size and Trunk Diameter
Height gets most of the attention, but trunk diameter matters just as much. A short tree with a very wide trunk can take as long to fell as a taller, slimmer one, since crews need more cuts and more time to control a heavier trunk section as it comes down.
Accessibility
If a tree sits in a tight backyard, behind a fence, or on a steep slope with no truck access, expect to pay 25 percent to 50 percent more than the standard rate, according to Angi’s Portland data. Crews without equipment access have to fell the tree in smaller hand-cut sections instead of dropping it in fewer, larger pieces, which adds labor hours.
Proximity to Structures and Power Lines
A tree overhanging a roof, deck, or power line cannot simply be dropped. Crews have to rig and lower each section piece by piece, which is slower and requires more skilled labor. Angi notes that removal near power lines can push total cost above $2,000, and Portland General Electric will often need to de-energize or coordinate around a line before work can begin.
Labor Rates
Hourly rates for a tree removal crew in the Portland area typically run $65 to $250 per hour depending on the specialist. Tree climbers charge roughly $65 to $140 per hour, while ISA Certified Arborists performing consulting or assessment work charge $100 to $250 per hour, according to Angi’s Portland cost report. HomeBlue separately reports a three-person crew rate of $220 to $280 per hour for standard removal jobs across the metro area.
Tree Condition
A dead, diseased, or storm-damaged tree is often less structurally sound than a healthy one, which can add a safety premium to the quote since crews have to plan for unpredictable breaks. On the other hand, a dead tree with no leaves or canopy sometimes cuts faster than a full, healthy one, which can offset part of that premium.
Time of Year
Demand for tree work spikes after windstorms and during peak spring and summer scheduling, which can push prices and wait times higher. Off-season scheduling, discussed further below, is one of the most reliable ways to lower cost.
What’s Not Included in a Base Felling Quote?
A “tree felling” price usually covers cutting the tree down and dropping it safely. It typically does not include everything left behind. Budget separately for:
| Add-On Service | Typical Portland Cost |
| Stump grinding | $150 to $500 per stump |
| Log splitting into firewood | Around $70 |
| Chipping branches on site | Around $95 |
| Full debris haul-away | $70 to $150 or more, depending on volume |
| Tree limb removal, if not bundled in | $50 to $75 |
| Permit filing fees, if applicable | Varies by city, some now free |
Ask any quote to specify whether cleanup, chipping, and haul-away are included. This is the single most common source of a “surprise” final bill, since a low base quote can look attractive until debris removal is billed as a separate line item.
Tree Felling Cost vs. Related Services
Homeowners often compare felling against pruning, stump grinding, or emergency response before deciding what they actually need. Here’s how the main tree service categories stack up in the Portland market:
| Service | What It Involves | Typical Cost |
| Tree pruning or trimming | Removing branches, tree stays standing | $285 to $1,897, averaging around $485 |
| Tree felling or removal | Cutting the tree down and hauling debris | $211 to $2,108, averaging around $791 |
| Stump grinding | Grinding the remaining stump below grade | $150 to $500 per stump |
| Emergency tree removal | Urgent removal after storm damage or imminent hazard | $1,500 to $3,500 or more |
If a tree is unhealthy but still structurally sound, pruning or plant health treatment may resolve the issue for far less than a full felling job. An ISA Certified Arborist can assess whether a tree genuinely needs to come down or can be saved with targeted care.
Emergency Tree Felling Costs More
Storm damage, a visible lean, or a cracked trunk pushes a job into emergency pricing. Emergency tree removal in the Portland area typically runs $1,500 to $3,500 or more, since crews have to mobilize on short notice, sometimes coordinate with the utility company, and often bring in a crane for trees tangled with structures or lines. Planning a routine removal before a tree becomes a hazard is almost always cheaper than waiting for storm season, when demand and pricing both climb.
Do You Need a Permit to Fell a Tree in Portland?
Requirements vary by city and by whether the tree sits in the public right-of-way. In the City of Portland, street trees located between the curb and sidewalk almost always require a permit before any removal or pruning. Removal of certain protected trees on private property, including Heritage Trees, also requires review before work begins.
Portland’s street tree pruning permits became free of charge as of July 1, 2025, though the application and inspection process still applies, according to Angi’s Portland trimming cost report. Removal permits are a separate process from pruning permits and are reviewed case by case through Portland’s urban forestry program.
Because rules differ by jurisdiction, including Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties, always confirm requirements with your local planning office before scheduling work. Our Portland tree removal permit resource page lists the correct contact for every city and county across the metro area, including direct links to each jurisdiction’s application process.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Felling?
Coverage generally depends on why the tree is coming down, not on the felling cost itself. Insurance typically applies when a tree has already fallen and damaged a structure, or when an arborist documents that a specific tree poses an imminent hazard to a home. Routine, preventive removal of a healthy tree that simply isn’t wanted is usually treated as a homeowner expense, not an insurance claim. If you suspect a tree may qualify, get a written hazard assessment from a Certified Arborist before filing, since insurers usually require documentation.
Why DIY Tree Felling Almost Never Saves Money
Cutting your own tree down looks like an obvious way to skip labor cost, but the safety numbers argue strongly against it. OSHA has called logging one of the most dangerous occupations in the country, and Penn State researchers who studied a decade of OSHA fatality records found that tree felling specifically, whether performed by professional loggers or by landscapers in residential settings, was the single most dangerous task within two of the most hazardous industries in the United States. Being struck by falling wood was the leading cause of death in that study.
That risk profile is exactly why professional crews rig, notch, and control the direction of every cut instead of just cutting through the trunk and hoping the tree falls where expected. A single miscalculated hinge cut on a tree over roughly 20 to 30 feet can total a roof, a fence, a vehicle, or a person, and homeowners insurance frequently will not cover damage caused by an amateur felling attempt.
The math rarely works out either. Renting a mid-duty chainsaw capable of felling a small tree runs $65 to $90 per day, according to Angi’s national rental pricing, and that figure doesn’t include a rigging kit, a hard hat, chaps, or the hours it takes an inexperienced person to safely fell and section a tree that a trained crew handles in a fraction of the time. For anything beyond a small tree in a wide-open yard with no structures nearby, the labor savings almost never justify the risk.
How to Choose a Tree Felling Contractor
Not every quote reflects the same level of training or insurance coverage, and the cheapest bid is sometimes the riskiest one. Before hiring, confirm:
- Licensing. In Oregon, tree service contractors should carry a valid CCB (Construction Contractors Board) license, which you can verify directly through the state’s website.
- Insurance. Ask for proof of both general liability and workers’ compensation coverage. Without it, you could be financially responsible for an on-site injury or property damage.
- Certification. Look for ISA Certified Arborists on staff, especially for any tree near a structure, power line, or protected species designation.
- A written, itemized estimate. The quote should separate felling, hauling, chipping, and stump grinding so you can compare apples to apples against other bids.
- Local permit knowledge. A contractor familiar with Portland metro permitting can flag requirements before work starts, avoiding delays or fines.
How to Lower Your Tree Felling Cost
- Schedule in the off-season. Late fall and winter tend to have lower demand than storm season or spring, when crews are booked out.
- Clear a path in advance. Moving vehicles, furniture, and obstacles from the drop zone saves crew time that would otherwise be billed.
- Bundle services. Combining felling with stump grinding or a full property trim often costs less than scheduling each as a separate visit.
- Get the wood chipped or split instead of hauled. Chipping and splitting are usually cheaper than full debris haul-away, and firewood can sometimes offset cost entirely.
- Get multiple written, itemized estimates. Compare quotes on the same scope, including cleanup and stump work, rather than comparing bare felling prices that hide add-on fees.
- Address hazard trees early. A routine removal is almost always cheaper than the emergency pricing that follows storm damage.
FAQs About Tree Felling Cost
How much does it cost to fell a tree in Portland, OR?
The average cost is $791, with most projects falling between $211 and $2,108 depending on the tree’s height, species, and proximity to structures or power lines, according to Angi’s 2026 Portland pricing data.
What is the difference between tree felling and tree removal?
Felling refers specifically to cutting a standing tree down. Removal is the broader job that includes felling plus sectioning the trunk, chipping branches, and hauling debris away. Most professional quotes bundle both under one price.
Is tree felling cheaper than full tree removal?
Not usually, since a base felling price rarely includes cleanup, chipping, or haul-away. Once those add-on services are included, felling and removal quotes typically land in the same overall range.
Does homeowners insurance cover tree felling cost?
Typically only if the tree has already fallen and caused damage, or an arborist confirms it poses an imminent hazard. Routine, preventive felling of a healthy tree is usually the homeowner’s expense.
How much extra does stump removal cost after felling?
Stump grinding in the Portland area runs $150 to $500 per stump, depending on trunk diameter and root complexity, separate from the felling cost itself.
Can I fell a tree myself to save money?
It is legal on most private property outside protected zones, but OSHA data shows tree felling is among the most dangerous manual tasks performed in the United States. Trees over roughly 20 to 30 feet, trees near structures, or trees near power lines should always go to a licensed, insured crew.
How long does it take to fell a tree?
A straightforward removal on an accessible lot typically takes a few hours for a two- to three-person crew. Trees near structures, power lines, or on steep terrain can take a full day or more due to the rigging required.
Do I need a permit before felling a tree in Portland?
Street trees in the public right-of-way almost always require a permit, and certain protected trees on private property need review before removal. Requirements vary by city and county, so confirm with your local planning office before scheduling work.
What time of year is cheapest for tree felling?
Late fall and winter generally see lower demand than spring, summer, or the weeks following a major windstorm, when crews are booked solid and emergency pricing applies more often.
How much does it cost to rent equipment and fell a tree myself?
A mid-duty chainsaw rental runs $65 to $90 per day nationally, per Angi, before factoring in safety gear, rigging equipment, or the added time an inexperienced person needs. For anything beyond a small, open-yard tree, professional pricing is often close to the true cost once equipment and risk are accounted for.
Ready to get an exact number for your property? Monkeyman’s Tree Service has been felling and removing trees safely across the Portland metro area since 2008, with ISA Certified Arborists on every crew. Get a free estimate or call (503) 358-8754 for same-day pricing.
Pricing sourced from Angi and HomeBlue 2026 Portland market data. Rates change with demand, season, and site conditions. This page benefits from a quarterly refresh as local pricing and permit rules update.