Tree Removal Cost in Hampton Roads (2026 Price Guide)

Tree removal costs in Hampton Roads range from $300 to $5,000 or more in 2026, depending on the tree's size, species, location, and complexity. We've been removing trees across Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and the surrounding area for over 14 years. Here's our honest breakdown of what you should expect to pay.

Tree Removal Cost by Size

The height and trunk diameter of your tree are the two biggest factors in pricing. Here's what tree removal typically costs in Hampton Roads in 2026:

Small trees like ornamental crape myrtles or young dogwoods are straightforward jobs. They can usually be felled in one piece in an open yard. On the other end, an 80-foot loblolly pine towering over your roof in Virginia Beach requires rigging, a crane rental in some cases, and a full crew -- which drives the price up significantly.

Factors That Affect Tree Removal Cost

1. Tree Height

Taller trees require more cuts, more time, and sometimes specialized equipment like bucket trucks or cranes. A 30-foot holly takes an hour. A 90-foot tulip poplar can take a full day.

2. Trunk Diameter

A thicker trunk means heavier wood, bigger cuts, and more debris to haul. Trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) over 24 inches are considered large-trunk jobs, and those over 36 inches add significant labor time.

3. Location on Your Property

A tree standing alone in an open front yard is a different job entirely from a tree pressed against your home, hanging over power lines, or wedged between your house and your neighbor's fence. Tight quarters mean the tree has to come down in small, controlled sections -- each cut rigged with ropes to guide the wood down safely. This precision work takes real time.

4. Accessibility

Can our equipment reach the tree? If we can drive a truck and chipper right up to it, the job moves fast. If your tree is in a fenced backyard accessible only through a narrow gate, we're hauling everything by hand, which adds labor hours. Many older neighborhoods in Norfolk's Ghent and Colonial Place have beautiful but tight properties that require more careful planning.

5. Tree Species

Different species present different challenges. Here are some common Hampton Roads trees and how they affect pricing:

• Loblolly Pine: Tall and straight, usually easier to fell. Moderate cost.
• Red/White Oak: Dense, heavy wood with wide canopies. Takes longer to cut and haul. Higher cost.
• Sweetgum: Fast-growing with aggressive roots. Moderate cost for removal, but root systems can be extensive.
• Willow Oak: Extremely common in Hampton Roads. Medium density, but often grows very large. Moderate to high cost.
• Dead or Hollow Trees: Can be unpredictable and hazardous. May cost more due to safety precautions.

6. Condition of the Tree

Dead, diseased, or storm-damaged trees are more dangerous to work on. Dead wood is brittle and unpredictable -- limbs can snap without warning. If a tree is partially uprooted or leaning on a structure, we need extra rigging and safety measures. These factors increase the cost compared to removing a healthy, standing tree.

7. Obstacles and Structures

Power lines, roofs, fences, pools, sheds, driveways -- anything the tree could hit on the way down changes the approach. Trees near Dominion Energy power lines require careful coordination and may need directional cutting to keep limbs away from live wires.

Emergency Tree Removal Cost

Emergency tree removal typically costs 50-100% more than standard removal, ranging from $1,000 to $8,000+ in Hampton Roads. Living in a hurricane and nor'easter zone, we handle plenty of emergency tree calls, especially from June through November.

Emergency pricing is higher because of:

• After-hours and weekend response: Crew overtime and urgency premiums
• Hazardous conditions: Fallen trees on roofs, tangled in power lines, or blocking roads require extreme caution
• High demand: After major storms, every tree company in Hampton Roads is booked solid
• Equipment mobilization: Getting cranes and heavy equipment deployed quickly costs more

Stump Removal: The Cost Most People Forget

Here's something most homeowners don't realize until the tree is down: tree removal does not include the stump. Once we cut and haul away the tree, you're left with a stump that's anywhere from ground level to a foot or two tall.

You have two options:

• Stump grinding: $100-$500 depending on size. Grinds the stump 6-12 inches below grade. This is what most homeowners choose.
• Complete stump removal: $300-$1,500. Excavates the entire stump and root ball. Only necessary if you're building or installing something in that exact spot.

We always recommend bundling stump grinding with your tree removal. You'll save on the mobilization fee since our equipment is already on-site, and you won't have to look at that stump for the next five years.

How to Save Money on Tree Removal

• Schedule in winter: November through February is the slow season for tree work in Virginia. You'll often get better pricing and faster scheduling.
• Bundle multiple trees: Removing two or three trees at once is more efficient than separate trips, and most companies pass those savings along.
• Keep the wood: If you have a fireplace or fire pit, ask to keep the wood. It saves us hauling time and saves you money. Seasoned oak and hickory from Hampton Roads trees make excellent firewood.
• Do your own cleanup: Some companies will lower the price if you handle raking and small debris cleanup yourself.
• Get multiple quotes: We always recommend getting 2-3 quotes. Just make sure you're comparing apples to apples -- confirm what's included in each quote (stump grinding, hauling, cleanup).
• Check for city programs: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake occasionally offer free or discounted tree removal for trees in the public right-of-way. Check with your city's public works department.

When Does Insurance Cover Tree Removal?

This is one of the most common questions we get. The short answer: insurance usually covers tree removal only when a tree falls on a covered structure (your house, garage, fence, or car) due to a storm, wind, lightning, or another covered peril.

Insurance typically does not cover:

• Removing a standing tree, even if it's dead or leaning
• A tree that falls but doesn't hit anything
• Trees damaged by neglect or lack of maintenance
• Preventive removal of a hazardous tree

We've written a detailed guide on this topic: Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Tree Removal? It covers filing claims, typical coverage limits, and how to document damage for your insurer.

What's Included in a Tree Removal Quote?

A professional tree removal quote should clearly spell out what you're paying for. Here's what our quotes include:

1. Felling or dismantling the tree: All cutting, rigging, and lowering of the tree
2. Limb chipping: All branches and limbs fed through our chipper
3. Trunk removal: Trunk cut into manageable sections and hauled away
4. Basic cleanup: Raking of the immediate work area

Things typically not included (but available as add-ons):

• Stump grinding ($100-$500)
• Firewood splitting and stacking ($50-$150)
• Filling the stump hole with topsoil ($25-$75)
• Permit fees if required by your city

Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Hampton Roads?

Permit requirements vary by city in Hampton Roads:

• Virginia Beach: Requires a permit for trees over 8 inches DBH in certain zoning districts
• Norfolk: May require permits for trees in the public right-of-way or in historic districts like Ghent
• Chesapeake: Generally more lenient for trees on private residential property, but check if you're in a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area
• Hampton & Newport News: Typically no permit needed for trees on private property unless in a protected overlay zone

We handle permit research and applications for our customers when permits are needed. It's part of the service.

Get Your Free Tree Removal Estimate

At Tree Stump Removal and Excavation, we provide free, no-obligation estimates for all tree removal projects in Hampton Roads. Call or text us at (757) 899-9700 with a few photos of your tree and we'll get back to you with an accurate quote, usually within a few hours.

We serve Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Smithfield, and all surrounding areas throughout Hampton Roads.