The first question almost everyone asks us is “what’s this going to cost?” The fair answer is that two trees of the same height can be priced very differently. A 60-foot pine standing alone in a field is a quick job. The same pine leaning over a camp roof on a steep Alton Bay lot is a different day entirely.
We remove trees across the Lakes Region, from Alton and Gilford to Wolfeboro, Laconia, Meredith and Barnstead. These are the ten things that move the price on almost every job we quote.
1. Size of the tree
Height and trunk width set the starting point. A bigger tree takes longer to take down, produces more wood and brush, and often needs a climber or a lift instead of a simple felling cut. Big white pines and red oaks are common here and are usually the largest trees on a property.
2. What’s underneath it
If a tree can be dropped in one piece into open space, the job moves fast. If it is over a house, garage, septic field, dock or fence, it has to come down in sections, piece by piece, with ropes or rigging. That takes more time and more crew, and it is the most common reason two similar trees get very different quotes.
3. How easy it is to get equipment in
Lakes Region lots are often steep, rocky or tight to the water. A tree we can reach with a truck or tracked machine costs less than one at the bottom of a slope where every piece has to be carried or winched out. Narrow camp roads, ledge and soft spring ground all affect what equipment can get close.
4. Tree species
Species changes how a tree behaves when it is cut. Hardwoods like oak and maple are heavy and dense. Pines are tall with long limbs that can catch on neighboring trees. Hemlocks often grow in tight clusters near water.
5. Tree condition
A healthy tree is predictable. A dead or rotting one is not. Dead ash trees, which many New Hampshire properties have lost to emerald ash borer, get brittle and are often unsafe to climb, so they may need a lift or a slower, more careful approach.
6. Time of year
Winter can be a good time for removal. Frozen ground lets equipment cross lawns and wet areas with less damage, and trees without leaves are lighter and easier to see into. Spring mud season is the opposite: soft ground can limit what we can drive onto a property.
7. Power lines nearby
Only line-clearance qualified workers can work within 10 feet of an energized line. If a tree is tangled in or near service wires, the utility (Eversource or NH Electric Co-op in most of the Lakes Region) may need to drop or cover the line first. That adds coordination and sometimes a second visit.
8. Hazards and urgency
A tree that is already cracked, hung up in another tree or lying on a roof after a storm is riskier to handle. Emergency calls after a storm also mean working fast in bad conditions, which usually costs more than a planned removal.
9. Shoreland and town rules
New Hampshire’s Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act limits tree cutting near lakes and ponds. Within 150 feet of the water, there are limits on how many trees can come out, and the first 50 feet uses a point system to keep a natural buffer. On designated scenic roads, cutting trees in the town right-of-way needs planning board approval. Planning around these rules can add steps, so it pays to ask before the saw starts.
10. What happens after the tree is down
The price changes depending on what you want done with the wood and the stump. Options include chipping the brush, hauling everything away, cutting the trunk into firewood lengths, or leaving the wood stacked on site. Stump grinding is usually a separate line, and New Hampshire requires a Dig Safe notice at least three business days before grinding.
Frequently asked questions
Why won’t you give a price over the phone?
Most of what drives the cost (what’s under the tree, how we get to it, its condition) can only be judged on site. A phone number is a guess, and a guess usually ends up wrong in one direction or the other. A walk-through gets you a real number.
Is it cheaper to remove several trees at once?
Usually, yes. The crew and equipment are already there, so each added tree costs less than a separate visit. If you are clearing for a view, a driveway or a new build, ask about lot and land clearing or forestry mulching instead of pricing trees one by one.
Does homeowners insurance pay for tree removal?
Often only when a tree has fallen on a covered structure, like your house or garage. Our tree removal insurance guide covers what is usually included and what isn’t.
Can I cut trees on my waterfront lot?
Some, but not freely. Shoreland rules limit cutting within 150 feet of the water. We can help you figure out what is allowed before any work starts.
Is winter a good time to take a tree down?
Often it is. Frozen ground protects your lawn and lets equipment reach spots it can’t in mud season. Read more in winter tree removal in NH.
Get a real number for your tree
The fastest way to know what your job will cost is to have us take a look. We’ll walk the property with you, check access and anything the tree could hit, and give you a clear written quote. Request a quote through our contact page or learn more about our tree removal and chipping service.
