Real per-tree ranges by size, what actually moves the number, and what's specific to removing trees in South Texas — no lead-gen games, just the numbers.
These are typical Rio Grande Valley market ranges, not a quote. Your actual price depends on proximity to structures, power lines, and access — this table is the starting point for a real conversation.
| Size class | What it looks like | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under ~20 ft) | Easy access, no rigging needed | $300 – $800 |
| Medium (~20–50 ft) | Standard removal, may need basic rigging | $800 – $2,000 |
| Large / technical (50+ ft) | Near structures or power lines, rigged removal | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Stump grinding | Ground below grade, add-on to a removal | Priced per stump |
| Lot cleanup | Multi-tree, brush, and debris cleared | Priced per ¼-acre |
The ranges above are wide because "a tree" isn't one thing. Here's what actually pushes a quote up or down.
A small ornamental tree costs a fraction of a mature 50-foot hardwood — height and trunk diameter are the biggest single factor.
A tree that can be dropped in an open area costs less than one that has to come down piece by piece near a house or fence.
Trees near overhead service require careful rigging and sometimes utility coordination — that adds time and cost.
Equipment that can drive right up costs less than a tree that requires everything hauled in by hand.
Grinding a stump below grade is priced separately from the removal itself — leaving it in place costs nothing extra.
Multiple trees on one visit typically cost less per tree than single, separate call-outs.
South Texas trees and storm patterns come with their own cost drivers — worth knowing before you compare a quote here to a number from somewhere else.
Mesquite and huisache root deep. The Valley's dominant trees have aggressive root systems — a stump left behind can sucker back up or undermine a nearby slab or fence line, which is why grinding is priced as its own line item.
Hurricane season changes the calculus. June through November, Valley trees take on wind loads few other regions see. A dead or leaning tree that looks fine in spring can become an emergency by fall.
Power-line density means careful rigging. Dense overhead service across Valley neighborhoods means most in-town removals are rigged down piece by piece rather than dropped whole — part of why proximity to structures and lines moves the price so much.
Ranges are a starting point — a free on-site quote gives you the real one.