How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in the Rio Grande Valley?
Short answer: Removing a typical yard tree usually costs a few hundred dollars, and a large tree can cost $1,000 to $2,000. National cost surveys put most removals between about $200 and $2,000, with an average around $750 to $850. A tree under 30 feet often runs $200 to $450. Height, access and how close the tree is to the house matter most, and the provider confirms the price before starting.
Last updated: October 26, 2026
Tree work prices vary a lot, which makes quotes hard to compare. Here is what goes into the price, typical ranges by size and how to keep the cost down without cutting corners on safety.
Typical tree removal cost by height
National cost surveys from HomeAdvisor and Lawn Love give similar ranges. The Rio Grande Valley may be a bit lower: one survey notes that removal is generally cheaper in the South than in the North.
| Tree height | HomeAdvisor | Lawn Love (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 feet | $200 – $450 | $285 – $435 |
| 30 to 60 feet | $420 – $1,200 | $435 – $870 |
| 60 to 80 feet | $800 – $1,500 | $870 – $1,160 |
| Over 80 feet | $1,000 – $2,000 | $1,160 – $2,000 |
What about a 30-foot tree? It sits right at the line between the small and medium ranges in both surveys, so expect a quote somewhere in the few-hundred-dollar range, depending on the tree and the yard.
Stumps, palms and trimming
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Stump grinding | $100 – $400 |
| Stump removal with roots | $180 – $550 |
| Palm tree removal, about 30 feet | $200 – $500 |
| Palm tree removal, 80 feet or more | $1,100 – $1,500 |
| Palm tree trimming | $125 – $800 per palm (average about $375) |
| Tree trimming | $80 – $1,840 per tree, depending on height (average about $412 – $612) |
What raises the price
- Close to the house, power lines or other trees. One cost survey says this can add 25% to 50% to the price, because the tree can't simply be dropped.
- Access. A tree that's hard to reach costs more to remove.
- Condition. Damaged or rotting trees may need extra support to take down safely.
- Distance. Homes outside a provider's usual area may get a mileage fee.
- Emergencies. A tree on the house or across the driveway after a storm costs more than a scheduled job. Cost surveys show emergency removals from about $450 up to several thousand dollars.
- Cleanup and hauling. Hauling the trunk, chipping branches and splitting logs may cost extra. Some quotes include it, some don't.
Ways to spend less
- Trim before you remove. A tree with a few bad limbs can often be saved with trimming, which usually costs less than removal.
- Plan ahead. Dead trees and dead palm fronds are cheaper to deal with on a calm week than after they fall in a storm.
- Keep the wood. If you can use firewood or don't mind logs left on the property, ask how that changes the price.
- Get more than one quote for big jobs, but compare the same work: stump, hauling and cleanup.
Can you get a tree removed for free?
People often search for this, so here is an honest answer. Tree services charge for their work, but a few situations can lower your cost:
- Branches on power lines. Lines on the poles are maintained by the electric company. Report trees touching their lines to them.
- Home insurance. If a tree falls on your house or another covered structure, your policy may help with removal. Call your insurance company.
- City brush programs. Some cities pick up branches from work you do yourself. In Edinburg, for example, free brush pickup doesn't take stumps or debris from a tree company.
We can't promise free removal, and you should be careful with offers that sound too good, especially after storms.
What should a quote include?
Before you agree to the work, ask:
- Does the price include the stump? Ground down or removed?
- Does it include hauling away the logs, branches and grindings?
- How will they protect the house, fence and lawn?
- Do they have insurance for their workers and for damage to your property?
- When can they do the job, and what happens if the weather changes?
Get the price in writing, even if it's a text message.
Is the cheapest quote a good deal?
Sometimes. But a very low price can mean no insurance, no cleanup or a crew without the right gear for a tree near the house. If a worker gets hurt or a limb goes through your roof, an uninsured crew can cost you far more than you saved. Compare what's included, not just the total.
Sources
- HomeAdvisor – Tree Removal Cost
- Lawn Love – Tree Removal Cost (2026)
- Lawn Love – Tree Trimming Cost (2026)
- NerdWallet – How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Tree?
- HomeAdvisor – Palm Tree Trimming Cost
- Texas Trees Foundation – How to hire an arborist
- City of Edinburg – Brush collection
Related
Tree service in McAllen, Edinburg and Harlingen.
Get a price for your tree
Call and ask a local tree pro what your job would cost.