Tree Pruning Cost

In Syracuse, New York, property owners spend $75 to $2000 on tree pruning. For property owners with the smallest trees, the tree pruning cost sits on the lower end, with professionals charging $75 to about $400. 

The cost increases with tree size, generally moving to about $350 to $700 for the medium-sized trees and $1500 to $2000 for the largest trees. In addition to tree size, other factors often affect the tree pruning cost. In the following section, we will take a deeper look at all the factors that professional tree pruners consider before creating a quotation. 

Tree Pruning Cost Factors in Syracuse, New York 

1. Tree Size 

Two major size factors affect the tree pruning cost – the tree height and crown spread. For most trees, however, the size of the crown tends to increase with the height of the tree – for this reason, tree height has a bigger influence on the tree pruning cost. 

In Syracuse, sequoia trees mature at a height between 164 and 279 feet and a crown spread of about 108 feet. Compared to a California juniper with a height of about 25 feet and a crown width of about 20 feet, the sequoia tree will always have a higher tree pruning cost. 

In addition to the sequoia tree needing more work just to reach its crown, additional time will be needed to remove branches from its large crown. This makes the tree pruners charge a higher cost. 

Depending on the height of your tree, you should expect the costs outlined below: 

• Small trees – Trees in this category have a height of 30 feet and below. To prune one of these trees, you will need $75 to $400. 
• Medium trees – In Syracuse, most trees fit in this category. Medium-sized trees have a height of 30 to 60 feet. Pruning one of these trees costs $150 to $800. 
• Large trees – Trees in the large category have a height of 60 to 80 feet. For professionals to work on a large tree, you will need to pay them $800 to $1,500. 
• Very large trees – Trees in this category are taller than 80 feet. To trim one of these trees, you will need $1500 to $2000. 

2. Tree Species 

Different tree species have varying heights, different crown widths, and varying wood hardness. White oak matures at a height between 60 and 100 feet and has a crown width of 50 to 90 feet. Compared to a crape myrtle that matures at a height of about 30 feet and a crown spread of 25 feet, the white oak will be more complicated to prune – this warrants a higher tree pruning cost for the white oak. 

Below, we have outlined the tree pruning cost for different tree species: 

Crape Myrtle Tree Pruning Cost 

Crape myrtles are available as shrubs and small trees, generally reaching maturity at heights below 30 feet. Depending on how big your crape myrtle is, you should expect a tree pruning cost between $75 and $400. 

Palm Tree Pruning Cost 

In Syracuse, property owners often have two subspecies of palm trees – the medium-sized palm and the large palm. Armed with $100 to $800, you will be able to prune your medium-sized palm tree, which will mature at a height between 30 and 60 feet. To prune a large palm tree, which matures at a height between 60 and 100 feet, you will need $800 to $1500. 

Pine tree Pruning Cost 

In Syracuse, pine trees that generally need pruning have wide varying heights – their heights range from 40 to over 150 feet. Depending on the height of your pine tree, you should set aside $200 to $2000 for professional pruning. 

Maple Tree Pruning Cost 

Generally growing to reach 80 feet at maturity, maple trees may need pruning when they are as small as 40 feet. This places the maple tree pruning cost between $400 and $1500. 

Olive Tree Pruning Cost 

Proper tree pruning plays a key role in the productivity of olive trees. Without tree pruning, olive trees are incapable of producing their fruits. In Syracuse, olive tree owners spend $350 to $700 on tree pruning. 

Avocado Tree Pruning Cost 

In Syracuse, property owners have dwarf and medium-sized avocados on their farms. The avocado tree pruning cost moves from $350 for the dwarf varieties and reaches $700 for the bigger varieties. 

3. Accessibility 

If your tree is accessible, the tree service providers can make the tree pruning procedure much easier with their bucket trucks. Instead of climbing the tree manually, the professionals just get inside the bucket truck and are raised to the tree crown. The bucket truck minimizes the time needed to complete a tree pruning procedure and also improves safety. 

Some trees in Syracuse, however, are inaccessible. For such trees, the tree service providers have to use manual climbing. Riskier and more time-consuming, manual climbing increases the tree pruning cost by 30% to 40%. If a tree would cost $600 to prune with the bucket truck, the need for manual climbing – in the case of inaccessibility – may increase the tree pruning cost to between $780 and $840. 

4. Risk of Property Damage 

Trees standing next to houses, swimming pools, utility lines, and other important amenities are costlier to prune compared to trees standing on open grounds. Since the risk of property damage is much higher for the trees near amenities, more work will be needed to avoid property damage – the tree pruners often have to tie the branches with ropes and then lower them down slowly. 

The extra time needed to control the cut branches often increases the tree pruning cost for trees that feature a high risk of property damage. 

5. Tree Health 

Like all other living things, trees do suffer from diseases. Also, tree pests are pretty common in Syracuse. Both health problems weaken a tree, making it riskier to work on, especially in situations where manual climbing is needed to get to the top of the tree. 

When pruning a diseased or pest-infested tree, additional time is needed to remove all affected branches – this keeps the health problems from spreading. The extra time needed and the risky condition of unhealthy trees may cause the tree pruners to increase the tree pruning cost. 

6. Additional Costs 

In most cases, the cost included in the quotation does not cover all the services that might be needed during tree pruning. Some of the extra services that may force you to spend extra money include: 

Tree Treatment 

If your tree is suffering from a health problem, an arborist may be needed to diagnose it and recommend the best treatment options. The cost of hiring an arborist and the cost of purchasing the medications and/or pesticides that he/she recommends can add an extra $50 to $500 to the quoted tree pruning cost. 

Cleanup and Dumping 

After tree pruning, you may want the tree pruners to carry the waste generated by the entire procedure. In Syracuse, professional tree pruners generally charge $50 to $100 for cleanup and dumping. You can, however, avoid this additional cost through DIY cleanup. 

Travel Fees

This extra cost is generally easy to avoid. Working with tree service providers closest to your home will put you in their service zone – this eliminates the travel fee. 

However, if your goal is to hire a team that lives a significant distance from your home, you should expect a travel fee of $0.5 per mile covered. Some companies may charge a fixed travel fee of $50 to $200. 

Factors Affecting the Tree Pruning Timing 

Various factors affect the timing of tree pruning. These include: 

• Safety – When a tree starts showing signs of risky branches, pruning should be conducted as soon as possible to eliminate the possibility of property damage and injuries. 
• Tree health – When you notice signs of ill health on some branches, immediate pruning can help remove the affected branches. This will keep the health problem from spreading. 
• Property value – If you are planning to sell your property, pruning can give the property a value boost. 
• Post-production – In the case of fruit trees, pruning cannot be conducted during the production phase. For this reason, property owners are often required to wait until the tree is through with its production phase. 
• Dormant stage – In the dormant stage, trees stop growing actively. This is the best period to prune a tree as it minimizes the chances of tree injury. 

How to Save on Tree Pruning 

• If your trees are small and non-risky, prune them yourself to avoid paying professionals. 
• Hire tree pruners closest to your home. This will help you avoid spending money on the travel fee. 
• Keep your trees as healthy as possible. This will help you avoid spending money on treatment during tree pruning. 
• Plant small to medium-sized trees. For these trees, the tree pruning cost sits on the lower end. 
• If you have trees standing near powerlines, let the power company prune them for free. 
• Prune your trees regularly to avoid excessive overgrowth that could lead to a higher tree pruning cost.